Originally Posted by snowbunny

Personally, I think the most pressing matter is locking up white collar crooks who steal billions of dollars from everyone. Lock 'em up with the gangbangers.

Originally Posted by Bob

vasiline will only get more expensive

Originally Posted by ImHere

And Brits and guns go together like, er, two things that dont mix very well.

Originally Posted by snowbunny

If you look at it from a crime perspective rather than an epidemiological perspective, how many people die by getting intentionally mowed down by a car vs intentionally shot?

If you look at it as a benefits/risk perspective, the benefits of having people driving are pretty huge. Harder to calculate the benefits of gun ownership. In the ultimate case, you save your life and that of others by having a gun. However, an ambulance can do the same thing by getting you to hospital quicker than if you had to walk.

Personally, I think the most pressing matter is locking up white collar crooks who steal billions of dollars from everyone. Lock 'em up with the gangbangers.

Originally Posted by anotherlimey

....
I used to edge on the side of gun owners but after reading and participating on this thread, I'm edging the other way. It seems to me that most people lack the intelligence and logical thought process required to use a gun successfully when necessary.

Out of the people here, I think only Ray shows the maturity and thoughtfulness required to carry a gun in public, I would feel 100% comfortable with people like that.

A firearm is not a penis extension.

EDIT: although I don't know about NC Penguin's 'carry' situation

Originally Posted by ImHere

So that would be one of those thinly veiled attacks you were on about would it? Name no names, quote no quotes etc?

Originally Posted by anotherlimey

Wouldn't possibly be.

Originally Posted by ImHere

If you say so. After all you are the one that knows how everyone thinks.

Originally Posted by ScyLarc

A friends neighbour (who's a cop) recently put the fear of god into them by telling lots of horrific story's of the awful things he sees when he's on his rounds. He has told them everyone should have a gun and they are crazy if they don't. It's got them convinced and they are going to take trips to his shooting range to test some out. I think owning a gun is madness, the sheer idea of having one in the house terrifies me. I don't buy the protection argument, if someone creeps into your house you aren't going to have time to get your gun and shoot them. I think you are far more likely to either be shot with it yourself or accidentally shoot a member of your own family.

I knew before i moved here that lots of Americans are very comfortable owning guns or rifles but i have been surprised at my severity of my reaction to the mere thought of owning a gun. I'm sure i need to stop thinking of them in UK terms, (it never crossed my mind that any of my UK neighbours may have owned a fire arm) and I do wonder if i should just get used to the fact that a large number of people do have weapons.

I guess it got me wondering how many of us ex-pats have become used the the level of gun ownership here and if so have you got any tips how i can become less worried by the fact that my neighbours are probably sleeping with a loaded gun in their bedside cabinets!

Originally Posted by anotherlimey

Obviously....:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by ImHere

Out of interest, what is it you do over here again?

Originally Posted by anotherlimey

Lots of things.... shall I give you a run down of my day? I start with the gym.....

Originally Posted by ImHere

Although it would make riviting reading Im sure for now can you limit it to a kind of synopsis of your main occupation. Im just interested.