Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

I can't for life of me see why anyone needs a gun, if they do I'd suggest they move to a better area.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

When I was young I had a .22 target rifle. I had to keep it locked up at home and keep the bolt separately. I was a member of a bona fide target shooting club.

Another member had a .22 target pistol.

This was all acceptable although, of course, this was in pre-terrorist days.

Actually, I'd be surprised if target rifles and pistols aren't still held legally by some in this country.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

Interested to know how you would set about collecting 300 million guns.
Ask nicely? Maybe the law abiding citizens would comply ( that's a very big maybe). That would leave only the criminals with guns.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

The Yanks have had the right to bear arms ever since cowboy days. It has been so well established for so long that I can't imagine it ever changing now.

In addition to that, I get the impression that most of them still think they are cowboys and it's still the wild west.

I'm surprised that they don't still ride horses and go to saloons with double swing doors. Many of them seem to wear cowboy hats, though.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

First of all, thanks for all the answers, they're very much appreciated.

Now, Ruthio... where on EARTH did you get the impression that I'm purchasing a gun to bring to the UK??????

I'm completely baffled by how you're assuming this. And if I were planning to shoot someone (which I am NOT) do you honestly think I'd post it on a public discussion board?

I live in the US, in the Midwest, Columbus, Ohio.

For those who can't understand why anyone would want to own a gun, I completely get how you feel about that. I used to feel the same way. But in the gun-slingin' USA - and with all the crime that's going on around here - without a gun, you're a sitting duck. Every state is different. But in Ohio, you don't need a permit or a license to purchase a firearm, just a background check. You do, however, need a license to carry it with you. It requires 8 hours of classroom time and 2 hours range time before you're awarded a license to carry the gun on your person or in your car. If you're caught carrying a gun away from your home without a license, you're in deep doo-doo.

The violence and crime here is ridiculous. Every day I hear more stories about gun violence and just yesterday in our city, a police officer was injured (although he's lucky because many of them are killed) when he tried to stop a carjacker. He tried to get the man out of the car he was stealing and the man decided to hit the gas and took off in the car, dragging the police officer with him. The cop had no choice but to pull his weapon and fire. Bam, one less cretin in the world. Bye-bye, you won't be missed.

That's a tiny example of what we hear every day on the news. And Summer is right, Chicago is bad. Every single day and night in that city someone dies from gun violence. Not just someone... lots of people.

As to what realspeed said about banning guns... you can't do that. And I'll tell you why. Do you realize what would happen if all guns were banned and taken away from the "general public?" Just think about that for a moment. Criminals will find a way to get guns. They always do. If you take guns away from the average law-abiding citizen, you're basically handing them their death sentence. Criminals will then rejoice, knowing the average citizen isn't armed, and all hell would break loose with people's cars being stolen, houses broken into, women being raped (more women than ever carry guns now) crime crime crime against the average guy would skyrocket because the criminals would know we have no way of protecting ourselves.

It's too late for that now. It's already out of control. And if someone would break into my house to harm my family, they're history.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

LOL, not gonna happen.

Bingo! Thank you.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

In all fairness, I can see both sides of this.

I would be in favour of people without any criminal record being allowed to own a handgun provided it is kept completely within their own home for the purposes of self-protection.

If someone breaks into your home and you feel threatened by them, especially if they are carrying any sort of weapon, you should be legally entitled to shoot them in self defence. If they break into your home, they deserve all they get.

Needless to say, if you have a criminal record there is no way you should have the legal right to possess a firearm, ever.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

Well, how about getting the criminals to hand their weapons in first, then the good guys wouldn't need one. Job done...

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

I know you may not believe this. I once fired a service pistol,blank ammo of course. It belonged to the father of my,and hers,`first time`

Last I heard Christine wished me well and said she was happy but an autistic son was not easy. I should have stopped with a blank?? Chris had a very strange sense of humour.

Re: Are all handguns and firearms really banned in the UK?

Completely agree with this. I think too many guns are falling into the hands of the wrong people. And I don't mean the criminals. They'll always find guns on the streets. I mean gun ownership is being awarded to people who probably shouldn't own a firearm because the rules aren't strict enough.

Haha! That'll never happen.