Choosing a Gun

[Neferti]

Even if you did nef... still no comparison.

Obviously. So what is YOUR answer then?

[boxy]

Do the math, nef. They still have an unbeatable lead, even when factoring for deaths per head of population.

And even in Australia, you can easily get a gun, if you can show a need, or even a reasonable desire to own one, as long as you can comply with their basic security concerns.

[boxy]

Even if you did nef... still no comparison.

Obviously. So what is YOUR answer then?

Basic restrictions... reasonable requirements to secure the weapons, limiting the ability to carry, especially concealed weapons, a limit on capacity and firepower... for a start.

[Neferti]

Do the math, nef. They still have an unbeatable lead, even when factoring for deaths per head of population.

And even in Australia, you can easily get a gun, if you can show a need, or even a reasonable desire to own one, as long as you can comply with their basic security concerns.

Whatshisname in Port Arthur still holds the lead with 35 dead. The Yanks still try to beat the Aussie.

NORMAL PEOPLE ... like your neighbours do NOT need a gun.

I have had the discussion with Americans that I have know for years and years, WHY they feel the need to have a gun. Most just think it is their "right".

Why would you want to get a handgun, Boxy? A rifle I can understand if you live on the land. Crooks have handguns.

[IQS.RLOW]

We should ban knives too. More people are killed and maimed in Australia by knives.

Everyone knows that Steak Houses are just fronts for dealing in deadly weapons

[Super Nova]

Killing 20 kids is just evil.

I pray there really is a god and a hell for bastards like that.

However the gun debate will rage. Most americas think like this.

[mantra]

There is a shooting almost every day in Sydney now, so it's only a matter of time before we have another massacre. A couple of decades ago we used to be shocked at the culture of violence in the US, but we're catching up with them quickly. The Americans have grown up on a diet of violent movies and video games which they've flogged around the world, but the creation starts with them.

They're reaping what they've sown.

[mellie]

I thought Obamas crocodile tears were in poor taste.

He appears mechanical, desensitised ...somewhat removed from this recent school shooting tragedy.

I'm not even American though cried when the teacher related to the media how she had instructed her class of six year olds to huddle into the corner of their classroom when she heard the gunshots,then told them how she loved them all very much anticipating the gunman was coming down the hallway and was going to shoot them all next.

Americas entrenched gun culture will be hard if not impossible to break, they suffer with loaded-god complex, this and feel so entitled to their firearms.

Changing Americas gun laws spells political suicide, and I doubt Obama has the balls or inclination to make this sort of a difference if his crocodile tears are anything to go by.

[mantra]

There seem to be so many mentally ill kids over there who need to make a statement and of course their parents' guns are also easily available.

In retrospect Howard did the right thing when he introduced our gun laws. We could be a lot worse off than we are today, although as IQ pointed out - people are arming themselves with knives. Anything larger than a knife is hard to obtain now. I tried to buy a scythe just recently for hacking bushes - but they're no longer legal to sell.

[mellie]

There is a shooting almost every day in Sydney now, so it's only a matter of time before we have another massacre. A couple of decades ago we used to be shocked at the culture of violence in the US, but we're catching up with them quickly. The Americans have grown up on a diet of violent movies and video games which they've flogged around the world, but the creation starts with them.

They're reaping what they've sown.

Video games don't massacre people, insane people with firearms do, and I doubt we will ever witness anything close to Americas shooting tragedy's due to there being a lack of 'ready' access to firearms here in Australia and the absence of a distinct gun culture here in this country also.

In Australia, guns are for criminals or farmers.

In America, they seem to be part of the household furniture, your average Joe Blow has one in his New York apartment even.

My son has a online gaming acquittance (boy aged 17) who lives in America with his father who proudly shows-off his fathers firearm collection via skype regularly.

So who needs 30 guns?