Memphis belle Aircraft Commander Passing

The typical American gun owner is probably more competent with firearms than the average soldier in most of the world. And you really wouldn't like the Swiss much, every male bewtween the ages of 17 and 45 that is not mentally or physically prevented from doing so must have a fully automatic rifle and ammunition at home and must fire said rifle at prescribed times during the year.

You see, we have the Right to own weap> You generally get bad press with regard to your "gun-toting" antics as well.

Don't know if you heard, but for the second time since November, a kid was shot in the head by a "buddy" that was screwing around with a loaded weapon. The first one died, the second one is alive - for now. The weapon of choice was a bow and arrow, with a barbed hunting tip. I have no problem with weapons (have a few different types myself) but I have serious problems with idiots that can't or won't think past the next two seconds..... Reminds me of a tale from when I was about seventeen (forty years ago - ohmagawd!) A bunch of us were out chopping down a couple of trees for a friend on his woodlot, using axes. One clown decided to walk a fallen log, but didn't bother putting down his ax first. When he lost his balance, he swung his arms (ax included) to keep from falling. That axehead actually shaved the hairs off my buddy's left arm. Two inches to the right and that arm would have been amputated, if not killing him in the process. The clown to this day, refuses to take responsibility for what he did, and can't understand why people got so upset with him because of what he did. So you see, you don't need a firearm to be dangerous.

-- John The history of things that didn't happen has never been written. . - - - Henry Kissinger

Considering the statistics on where crime has gone in Oz since your much publicised turning in of the guns, I'd say you need to rethink your policies as well. As to the bad press, that's to be expected in a country where the press is owned by dedicated socialists who are pushing the socialist agenda. The middle class, the hated "Bourgeoisie" of the

19th Century Socialist theorists is the repository of most of the privately owned forearms and as such, must be disarmed as part of "socialist progress". It's just basic European Socialist class warfare hiding behind a public safety facade. Same here in America. In the State where I live we are always hearing about more gun laws to make our streets safer for our children, while they don't enforce the gun laws they already have. They want a certain level of violence on the streets, it helps to push their political agenda.

That was tried in one area some years ago. Courts ruled that it was an overstep of authority, and rightly so. People who are not familiar or comfortable with firearms should not deal with them. They would be more a danger to themselves.

Bill Shuey

A hangover from WWII maybe or a trade-off for national service.... the Swiss are a little weird anyway.

It's quite understandable to have that sort of attitude especially when it's even written into your constitution. But really, if I can borrow an Australianism and say you've got to be fair dinkum about firearms.. In a country of political left and right extremes and a wide racial mix, firearms just might happen to cause more problems than they will ever cure.

Mitch

Gun laws here are work in progress - ppl still have guns - just not loaded and taped up under the coffee table. Generally, locked away with in 3 seperate compartments with firing mechanism, ammo, and the weapon itself seperated. Used by sporting shooters and not given as gifts to 10 year olds..

As for the Socialist stance - I've never really considered it. Our state looked at tightening gun laws way before the Port Artur massacre, but caused by a similar occurence with a nutter with a Chinese SKS military rifle in Sydney. Some laws were passed but similar to your ARA, our ASA had impressive political clout. Only military style semi-autos were banned iirc - of course the irony is that Port Arthur, Tasmania (17ppl murdered) may not have happened if the gun laws of New South Wales were in place.

Hand guns, especially mail ordered, are now targeted (pun intended).

You must understand that Australia looks to the US both with admiration but with massive skepticism.... The fact that something like that was even tried fits in the latter category.

Mitch

No doubt that's true. I'm sure that *some* Australians are generally insular as well....

US Congressmen and Senators don't need passports to travel between their home states and the national capitol.

Not necessarily. I've been overseas quite a bit but don't happen to have a passport right now. BTW, what's the percentage of Australian legislators that have passports?

I'm not so sure they even *need* passports when making official visits. Somehow I just can't see them being required to go through customs and immigration. Same goes for foreign government dignitaries visiting the US, of course.

I don't 'expect' you to say anything unless I've asked a question.

It's the Bill of Rights that we're fair dinkum about.

Ain't democracy grand? Everybody gets to voice their opinions. Imagine that.

We seem to get along just fine for the most part. A real 'melting pot', you know.

Or they might cure more problems than they'll ever cause.

His films are documentaries only in the *very* loosest sense. You mentioned the extreme left in one of your other replies - he's a prime example.

That's why I mentioned it Al, you and Ron seem to coming from the right... when all I wanted was an objetcive reply.

Mitch

Yup, I gathered that. I know how much he can dramatise things. I'm just having a go at you... you know - pulling your chain.

Mitch

Ok... So I'd be correct in assuming the centre believe it's their right to bear arms just because it's written into the Bill of Rights.... and if someone breaks into that centre persons home, they ... lemme guess.... shoot them dead?

Logical conclusion, yes?

Mitch

Not 'just because'. Because.

Yep. I wouldn't know if they're armed, who else might be behind or with them, or their intentions. You bet I'd shoot them dead before they had a chance to harm me or my wife. And it's absolutely legal in Arkansas - probably is in every state although I'm not sure of that.

Yes.

That's what you got. What could be more objective than citing what's written in our Constitution?

Sometimes becoming a pressure cooker!

-- John The history of things that didn't happen has never been written. . - - - Henry Kissinger