Thanks for the clarification Woodlouse.  If you had said about clubs or access to land I wouldn't have taken offence.  I cannot shoot these days as I have nowhere to go and live in a city.  When I have somewhere I will take the hobby up again.  It all comes down to doing things responsibly.  I personally don't think that anyone serious about shooting would buy an air rifle from a british market stall.  It all comes down to quality.

I also never miss more than once.

Will

Do you really think that banning guns will stop people from murdering others ???

If a person wants to kill someone bad enough, they will use anything they can. All kind of things like knives, cross bows , sticks, rocks, and the list could go one forever. hell, you can kill someone with your hands and feet.

What we need are stiffer penalties

Hmmmm.... seems like banning them does no good.

However, here in San Antonio the neighborhood that has the highest per capita gun ownership has the lowest gun crime rate in the area. A correlation maybe?  

heard on the radio that there was a school shooting today.....

Some kid pulled a gun and shot the principle, then shot and killed himself.




(don't turn this into an argument, i'm just stating a fact)

Here (Australia) the gunlaws are "relatively" the same in each State, after an incident in the late '90's which stirred enough public outrage and opinion for politicians to get uniform laws happening, countrywide. Prior to that the laws were always quite strict, especially with regard to the two legally "troublesome" types, handguns and semi/full auotmatic rifles.

I have licensing for handgun/s, the most difficult to obtain and retain here. In order to obtain and retain this licensing I had to undergo extremely rigorous training, testing and administrative procedures. The storage regulations have to be seen to be believed. The Police can also arrive on my doorstep at any time and demand to see the weapon and the safe.
The only other way in which on can obtain a handgun license is for the purpose of target shooting as a member of a Pistol Club. This is less rigorous but still comprehensive and does not allow the licensee to carry the weapon.
I have to undergo yearly testing and have to demonstrate my ability to handle the weapon, accurate shooting (less than 95% - you fail and lose the weapon), safety knowledge and must also hold a Senior First Aid certificate which is re-tested every 3 years.
Obviously, only people who are serious about there gun ownership and are capable and responsible can hope to earn this priviledge here.
That's the difference, there is no Constitutional right to bear arms. Just a priviledge for those who have a genuine need and are prepared and able to maintain the standards.
Rifle licensing is covered by the same legislation. Obviously less strict and rigorous but still good reason is required. Unfortunately there is no need for any kind of training or safety testing etc. Any kind of airgun or BB gun is classified as a firearm here and the same licensing is required. The minimum age for any firearms license is 18. The only exception is for Minors who take part in target shooting with air pistols and rifles as members of junuior divisions of a Pistol Club. Minors cannot be licensed for anything other than Air or BB guns.
No-one can sell or repair a firearm unless they are a licensed firearms dealer and qualified armourer.

No crimes are comitted involving licensed firearms in this country. They are committed with illegal firearms.
Many times I have asked "anti-gun lobby" people how taking guns away from the law abiding people, whose guns are never (or virtually never) used for illegal purposes, will have any effect on the incidence of gun related crime. I get no sensible reply. It would be like taking driving licenses off those who DON"T drive and expecting there to be less cars on the road!

Things seem to be pretty well sewn up here, except for illegal gun trade, which is a totally different matter to that being discussed here.  

I must say that although I do believe that not just anyone should be able to buy a gun. I also think that the best way to cure gun crime is to give all over 18's a firearm. That way anyone wanting to shoot someone can only expect to be fired at back.

Switzerland seems to have the right idea. Although a similar thing seems to be happen naturally in America is obviously needs a more peaceful nation to work.

Too right Brensec.  The Swiss give assault rifles to members of their armed forces, to be used in the event of a national emergency.  Giving everyone the right to carry a gun without first educating them in the responsibility that this entails would lead, in my opinion, to anarchy.

Will