Should illegal possesssion of a gun be punishable by life imprisonment?

Answer 1

Yes, why not - let's all have a laugh - it would certainly liven things up ! ! !

Answer 2

No, you people are totally mad!! Is this a Brit question? In the United States there should be no such thing as "illegal possession of a gun"; even in D.C. they recently ruled that mere possession of a firearm is not a crime. How many of you who answered "yes" own firearms and shoot frequently? I would guess none. I've noticed something interesting over the years, when I take folks who have never really fired a weapon to the range and let them play with my various weapons (pistols, semi-autos, precision shooting rifles, military rifles, etc.) They go away with a different take on it. They realize that many folks have grown up from childhood shooting, and it is a very important part of our lives. I started shooting when I was about seven, and was a crack shot by twelve. I was an expert shot in the military, and became even better after I got out of the service. Guns don't kill, people kill, and murder is already a crime. I would say that when you ban guns, what will you do next, ban knives and swords, but that has already been done in the U.K., right? It isn't hard to understand: criminals don't obey laws, only the law abiding. You are only screwing it up for those who would enjoy firearms, the criminals don't care what laws or sentences you pass. You know that violent crime has only increased since the restrictions in the U.K. and Australia started, right? And that here in the states the most violent cities are the ones with gun control (D.C., Chicago)? It is not a coincidence.

Answer 3

How about an argument from the other side of the fence, why not allow people to train, get a licence and then carry a weapon?

It is only in the last couple of hundred years (compared to tens of thousands of years) were the carrying of personal weaponry has become unpopular in society.

There are a few major points to be made here, America has the biggest gun culture in the world, and there is a general assumption it has the highest rates of firearm homicides. It doesn't. Russia does (which has strict controls and bans on firearms) and it is only marginally higher than Britains statistics (which also has a ban on fireararms.) Do the maths here, banning weaponry does not equal halting the use of them.

Also a complete ban on weapons just takes the weapons out of decent, law abiding citizens hands, the criminals will still obtain and use them. So why can't everyone else use them to protect themselves?

Imagine if you are a mugger/rapist/murderer, and you are prowling for a random target. You see a young girl, walking alone at night, unprotected. Then you see another young girl, also walking alone at night, but this young girl is carrying a gun, is trained in its use and legally entitled to use it. Who are you going to go for?

Lets take the power out of the criminals hands and allow people to protect themselves.

Answer 4

I think a lot of these arguments could be put together under the heading of personal responsibility, we are all used to having to take personal responsibility for our luggage, we know if something found in our possession at an airport will be deemed to be ours so we take care of our property. Likewise if a gun is found in my possession I should take responsibility for that happening - not blame government, police or old uncle Tom Cobbley. I am really sick of people blaming everybody else for their own lack of morals, or responsibility. I agree with some comments that state a whole reform is needed because you can't jail someone for life unless the use of a gun carries a harsher penalty? - no parole. If we are going to get tough then let's do it and not half way houses.
Edit: If a person didn't intend to use it then it wouldn't be in their possession - I don't play golf so why would I have a golf club?

Answer 5

Difficult one - think how many thousands that would cost on a weekly basis. Maybe chop off their hand so they can't use it to fire a gun!
I find the whole firearm thing amazing, the Government spent around 2 billion pounds of taxpayers' money on removing all the legal handguns from the UK, and it is now easier to obtain them and more people are carrying them than when you could hold one legally!
Singapore is a different kettle of proverbial fish altogether from the UK. It may be a People's Party in power, but there is little leniency in the criminal justice system (it seems to work) - death penalty for just carrying drugs, plain clothes litter police everywhere, and instant fine if you drop a matchstick or piece of gum. If you are sentenced to 5 lashes as a punishment, you are given one - then sent home till it heals, then receive the next and sent home till it heals, and so on.
We would have the Human Rights brigade up in arms here if we made thugs drink milk!
Incidentally, you can still hold, and fire, black powder pistols and have legal rifles!
Probably no problem with paedophiles and rapists in Singapore - I would think the two-brick treatment is in their statute books!

Answer 6

You may not have thought enough about the implications of the question. Firstly a gun can be planted, so now we are sending an innocent man to prison. I realise you are only talking about possession. The sentence should be very tough, but life for everyone? I think there should be a tougher stance on the law, but remember that even the judicial system can get it wrong. Your general thinking is right but, people make mistakes when investigating and prosecuting, so carefully does it.

Answer 7

What part of "Freedom to hold and express your personal views" is not understood ? And don't forget the age old saying 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer' 'Live and let live' (OK unfortunate perhaps in this context, however). at least you know the views others hold, and can 'discus' then, you don't have to agree but likewise few views should be forced on another. Yours on others or others on you. The UK is an open democracy, have a little faith, once any group gets to a size where it can influence people or things, counter groups and opinions also form. The majority view (after much discussion) wins out. which/whatever ever it may happen to be. let your 'reasoned' arguments educate those who hold different perspectives, it can also happen that their reasoned arguments may persuade you of their better value. You never know, never be unwilling to listen to another's point of view. Not listening and forcing one way of thinking is the objection (and downfall in many cases) of many groups and countries around the world, now and in the past. Tolerance, faith in discussion and democracy however tedious at times, is a whole lot more equitable.

Answer 8

No. because:

1) Ownership is too hard to prove;

2) Guns can and are 'planted' on innocent people;

3) You may not know that there is a gun in the house;

4) Police lie.
For example, many years ago, a man was arrested for
illegal possession of a gun. "
What gun?" he asked the arresting officer.
"This one" said the policeman as he threw it to the poor guy
who caught it.

5) You may have forgotten to renew your licence.

6) You may, like Prince Charles, get a present of a beautiful
shotgun for your birthday. If it is a surprise present, how
can you be the legal owner of your gun?

The point is not if the gun is legal or not. The point is that life should be the penalty for using a gun to commit an offence such as armed robbery.

Special arrangements should be made in Manchester where shooting seems to be part of the city's traditional immigrant culture. On this basis, nothing should be done as at present.

Answer 9

The current tariff is clearly not working as a deterrent and more severe punishment will not work either.The problem is far more deep than that and involves the kudos that goes with gun ownership.It's a very difficult problem to overcome but I honestly don't think that stiffer sentencing is the answer.

Answer 10

Two years mandatory imprisonment, no time off for being a good boy and not having a gun in prison.

Any one having an illegal gun is intending to use it illegally.

A gun is a tool for killing.

If I carry a spanner, I intend to use it.

Should I carry a gun; I would intend to use it.

Answer 11

No but maybe 10 years imprisonment