Gun Crime?

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Ernie

With respect, I think a lot of people forget that a few years ago Joe Public used to be permitted to own a handgun in this country, and but for some nutter in Hungerford and Dunblane going berserk where sadly a lot of people lost their lives which in itself was a dreadful consequence, but the law was passed that owning a handgun was illegal by the do gooders and a lot of law abiding people lost a perfectly good hobby and this action has done nothing to reduce gun crime in this country, in fact it was almost never heard of that a robbery or gang shooting being done with a legally registered firearm, there was the same black market in illegal firearms as there is today.

there has always been a blackmarket in illegal firearms ernie,as you say,the Big differance now is you can pick them up in most small towns like accy,not just the big citys,also they are much more available these days.i am not against gun clubs and the like. i am against any local yob CARRYING firearms Whatever age they happen to be.and think the government is stupid restricting the age of the sentence.

[grego]

I suppose the government bringing the age down from 21 to 17 is better than nothing but I agree Cashy that the same sentance should be given regardless of age.

[SPUGGIE J]

Originally Posted by grego

I suppose the government bringing the age down from 21 to 17 is better than nothing but I agree Cashy that the same sentance should be given regardless of age.

Sadley the do gooder brigade would object to it on the grounds that at 17 they are still kids.

[grego]

Can we not shoot the doo gooders?

[moonshiner]

Like ernie says its not the legally held guns thats the problem there kept under lock and key , no matter how many times the police have an amnesty , if you know the right people you can get a weapon, i worked on club and pub doors for over twenty years , ive seen guns sold for 20-30quid , if it was up to methere would be no age limit

[cashman]

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

Sadley the do gooder brigade would object to it on the grounds that at 17 they are still kids.

thats the whole point spug do these cretins think a 15 yr old with a gun is less dangerous? eer hes only 15, too young to know.

[SPUGGIE J]

Originally Posted by cashman

thats the whole point spug do these cretins think a 15 yr old with a gun is less dangerous? eer hes only 15, too young to know.

That might have something to do with those large blinkers these prats wear.

[WillowTheWhisp]

I agree that there shouldn't be an age limit. If it's illegal and dangerous it's illegal and dangerous at any age.

I also think it's an odd law because the people who had unregistered firearms were the ones likely to use them to shoot people and they still have access to unregistered firearms even when the people who had them legally handed theirs in. It's as barmy as banning someone from driving when they have been convicted of driving without a licence.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by chav1

i thought peopel who shot for a hobby had their guns kept at the gun club which ithink was a good idea as it meant them not been in the home

Almost all hand guns were banned. The owners were compensated by the government for them when they were taken. I am not sure how much money it cost to take all the guns from the owners but I bet it was hundreds of thousands. All that money for nothing. Gun crime has increased since the ban. I think the ban should be over turned and people should again be allowed to own hand guns.

Not quite all hand guns were banned. You can still legally own (with the correct paperwork) black powder guns. These can be the flintlock type we usually think of but, you can also own black powder revolvers as well.

I am interested to know how we can hold the Olympics in this country. It includes pistol shooting but those pistols are illegal in this country.

[Mancie]

Originally Posted by Ernie

With respect, I think a lot of people forget that a few years ago Joe Public used to be permitted to own a handgun in this country, and but for some nutter in Hungerford and Dunblane going berserk where sadly a lot of people lost their lives which in itself was a dreadful consequence, but the law was passed that owning a handgun was illegal by the do gooders and a lot of law abiding people lost a perfectly good hobby and this action has done nothing to reduce gun crime in this country, in fact it was almost never heard of that a robbery or gang shooting being done with a legally registered firearm, there was the same black market in illegal firearms as there is today.

But the nutters in Hungerford and Dunblane used legally owned guns! "people lost a perfectly good hobby"?.. try telling that to the parents of the 15 children shot dead. No one actually needs a gun.. and I include farmers.

[grego]

I must admit Mancie that though my Dad was gutted when he had to hand over his gun collection he said that if it stops Hungerford/Dumblane happening again that it was worth it!

[Mancie]

Of course most robbery with guns has always been done using illegal firearms.. but somewhere down the line these guns were once legally owned.
What amazes me is how a 15yr old gains access to guns.. I presume they are sold/provided by an adult... a mandatory 20yr sentence is not to much for anyone in possesion of a lethal firearm.. if someone has a gun you can bet it will be used eventually.

[Ernie]

Mancie, I am not making light of the terrible loss that those families suffered in those two instances, and whatever anyone says or does will not bring those poor kids back. The point I was making was that although the Government have banned legal ownership of handguns it has not stopped gun crime in this country. The disturbing fact is that guns are available in this country if you know where to look, and until the issue is properly addressed by the authorities then we will always have crime involving the use of guns.

[Mancie]

Ernie..I did not think you were making light of the murders.. I think there was no other option but to ban all guns...one less gun could be one less life lost. At the same time I doubt things will get much better no matter what laws or sentencing measures are put in place..it's very depressing to see young kids not even out of thier school days shot dead, although at the moment it is the inner cities that are most affected, these things have a habit of spreading.

[lancashire lad]

Well said Ernie... I agree with you 100%