I am overwhelmed to read how gun violence has become much more prevalent in the UK. For we UK dwellers in the USA we always attributed gun violence to the USA.
I was very shocked to read there was a murder/suicide in a rural farm in Co Antrim this week. There have also have sporadic gun/violence attacks in Belfast this year.

I still think gun related incidents are probably down in that neck of the woods

Never heard of NORAID ? They made good use of the helpfull $'s

I wouldn't be overwhelmed. News of gun crimes here is still negligible. Now when I hear of gun crimes in the US, I just think how weird it all sounds. For a while I almost got used to it over there.

I was talking to one of my neighbours and he was just bemused by Americans' attitudes to gun control. Genuinely couldn't get his head around the way they refuse to be regulated in any way.

PS: Here are the facts: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...e-8463957.html

The gun madness in the US continues. Following the most recent mass shooting incident, there was an item about gun use in the US on The Jeremy Vine Show yesterday. It was mentioned that the state of Iowa has just legalised gun use for blind people. Is it just me?

The thought that I might be in danger from guns in the UK never crosses my mind, not even for a fleeting second.

In general, I find avoiding the news makes me a lot happier - doom and gloom seems to be flavour of the day (or decade), even from supposedly reputable media outlets like the BBC.

Gun crime over here in the US is so prevalent that it all just blends together...from a daily news email I get just on Houston, this was todays offerings.....

Crowded Family Dollar store robbed at gunpoint.

Roommates find man shot in South East Houston

International Students targeted by armed robbers

One Person Killed in deadly shooting at Subway

Armed robbers hits Shipleys, Jack in the Box

Robber shoots father of 4 at Harris County Donut shop.

Brother charged after lying about accidental shooting of 16 year old Sister.

Home invaders pistol-whip father, tie up mother.

That's in one day....in a city of 6-7 million depending on how you cut it. Some days there are more reported gun crimes - it would be a very quiet day if there were fewer reported.

I don't know what's happening trendwise in the UK, but it would have to climb a cliff to catch up with the US!

Gun crime is incredibly rare in the UK, in the States it is so common unless it is a mass murder it probably doesnt even get mentioned.I cant recall a single gun related incident around here since arriving.

I would agree wholeheartedly. However I was very shocked to read it happening about ten miles from where we still have a family home on the coast so close by.

The main reason for the gun madness is the vigilante attitude of many Americans.

I know I shouldn't.................but this has given me the belly laugh of the day!

People back home don't believe me that you can buy a gun in Walmart. The idea of walking into Asda and buying a gun is beyond belief.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search...mmunition&_mm=

Not too sure about that. I'd say it was the ease of availability.

You do have to meet certain criteria though, which varies from state to state and also the type of gun.

I'm sure there's a cooling off period in most states.

Only for short arms...but depending on the state, you can just get one privately, without any background checks.

It's places like that which leads to a lot of legal guns ending up in the hands of criminals, usually get a druggie who doesn't have a record to go get a gun and bring it back for drugs, sort of thing.