Do you think that the UK needs to adopt a new stance towards gun laws?

Question

After seeing that disarming the law abiding population has not prevented violent crime and armed crime has increased, is it time for the government to radically rethink the UK's firearms laws?

Should we return to our right as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to 'Freedom to have arms for defence'?

Should we stop allowing our laws on firearms ownership and self-defence be dictated by emotional knee-jerk reactions, and instead restore the most fundamental human right; the right to protect our lives?

Is it time to form a rational policy that will allow us to protect ourselves, having seen that the police that we were told would protect us have not been able to meet the challenge since the people lack the will to to defend themselves?

Please do not comment on comparisons to American laws and statistics unless you have actually done the reading and research to put you in a position of actual knowledge rather than the popular (and misinformed) view.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Washington DC has had a pistol ban for 30 years and has the highest murder rate with firearms being used of the whole of the US. Rifles and shotguns are allowed but are legally required to be dismantled while in storage. Most shooting is carried out with pistols.

Kennesaw, Georgia's ordinance requiring heads of households (with certain exceptions) to keep at least one firearm in their homes. The city's population grew from around 5,000 in 1980 to 13,000 by 1996 (latest available estimate). Yet there have been only three murders: two with knives (1984 and 1987) and one with a firearm (1997). After the law went into effect in 1982, crime against persons plummeted 74 percent compared to 1981, and fell another 45 percent in 1983 compared to 1982. And it has stayed impressively low. In addition to nearly non-existent homicide (murders have averaged a mere 0.19 per year), the annual number of armed robberies, residential burglaries, commercial burglaries, and rapes have averaged, respectively, 1.69, 31.63, 19.75, and 2.00 through 1998.

Clearly - arming the population does reduce crime. It's more complicated than that though. It means that criminals know that if they commit a crime they are liable to face armed resistance.

As for Britain (I'm actually British but live in the USA where I hold a concealed weapons permit out of choice although I don't actually carry a weapon 90% of the time), the only reason why gun ownership was restricted was because the post WW1 government was scared of an armed uprising due to the depression. Subsequent restrictions have been increasingly harsh and used solely as political tools that the government can say "look what we've done to reduce crime". Combined with the media which decries any action by the ordinary citizen against criminals and the police who say the same kind of thing instead of "Oh good for you", it means that nothing will swing public opinion the other way unless the media is brought on board.

As for the question - It is way past time to do this. See my petition to the PM on the subject - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Armed-citizens/

Answer 2

As a disabled person, I know that sooner or later I would end up in a wheelchair, maybe not for a few years yet, but eventually. However, I was looking forward to the day I could take up pistol shooting seriously. I've always been a good shot and this was something to look forward to. Then, UK government in their infinite wisdom banned hand guns and I had to weather the disappointment of the Act. So what happened? there are more guns in illegal hands than were ever owned legally - The law is an ***. Making parents responsible for their children's actions would probably make a hell of a difference - eventually!
By the way - back in the late 70s my youngest son was shot by an idiot with an air gun. No one investigated this, perhaps the rot set in long ago!

Answer 3

Since when did the UK have a Bill of Rights allowing citizens to bear arms for defence?

Answer 4

I think we need to enforce the laws we have.
You can get 7 years for just carrying a weapon but no one ever does.
I think it is not about weapons but about attitude. We should have a zero tolerance policy on violence, if it was enforced rigorously, then we would become a lot less violence society and people would not live in fear as they do now.

Answer 5

This of course,is only My( misinformed) view. Violence,will be met with Violence.We do have Armed-Police,who are trained in the use of fire-arms.I,personally would like a gun,as much as i would like your brain. Enough innocent people lose their lives to guns,with out letting would-be experts,loose on our streets! Please do not be offended,but i just had to Shoot my mouth off. Best Wishes.

Answer 6

Yes ,I believe it is time to arm the Police, after all, we are the only country in Europe ,whose Police force do not carry guns on their persons.

Answer 7

An armed society is a polite society.

Answer 8

I would rather be armed to the teeth . And that I am !!!
Just common sense to be able to protect ones property.


NUFF SAID

Answer 9

personally id like to see a return of swords... then its up close and personal... and theres a romantisicm about swinging steel... and an art to it...

i have a live samauri blade... and ive probably watched kill bill too many times, but it started years ago with shogun... fighting with honour, and not being a coward with a gun...

but it isnt going to happen is it? we have no honour... our young are sociopaths... who have no honour... and its all our own fault... for giving into them, and treating them as equals...when in fact they are naughty children who deserve a damn good slap... but thats all... just to put them in their place.

we cant go having guns, they kill indiscriminately... guns have no honour... bring back chivalry, give us all sharp swords, and then its upto us...

Answer 10

eu hum...
Cu.m catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapultas habebunt...

When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults