Originally Posted by bugalugs

I don't know about the USA - but the most common crimes in Australia are domestic assault and common assault under the influence of alcohol.

Both unpleasant crimes - but imagine how even more unpleasant they become if there is a firearm in the house.

I do understand your argument that a gun is fine in the hands of a trained person. But surely even you would agree - that more often than not guns end up in the wrong hands. And the presence of a firearm, turns a common assault or drunken fight into a homicide (or multiple homicide) very quickly.

Originally Posted by bugalugs

Why do you want a gun then?

Originally Posted by C-D-P

I understand that, and that is why I preach training and education. Along with focusing on those that actually use them for illegal purposes. We see that people that are trained, are less likely to use them in the heat of anger.

If the guy was willing to shoot his wife, is more than likely willing to beat her to death. Once again I point you to the stats involving rifles and crime.

Originally Posted by C-D-P

I understand that, and that is why I preach training and education. Along with focusing on those that actually use them for illegal purposes. We see that people that are trained, are less likely to use them in the heat of anger.

If the guy was willing to shoot his wife, is more than likely willing to beat her to death. Once again I point you to the stats involving rifles and crime.

Originally Posted by bugalugs

I didn't say they were a "source of crime and hate ". They are just an unnecessarily dangerous instrument to have in society.

Why do you want a gun? You say you do target shooting - fine, if you must, go for your life - but leave the gun locked up at your shooting club. Keep them out of homes. But you expressed admiration at the the photos of machine guns or whatever they were on other pages - they don't use those bastards in the Olympics do they? What do you want one of those for?.

If you are a vet or a ranger or a roo/pig shooter, sure get licenced and get a gun - but there never any need for any city dwellers to ever have one.

Originally Posted by TheChief

I enjoy target shooting.

Originally Posted by bugalugs

But the question is - why do you want to own a gun?

It is a tool that is only useful for killing. Here, some people do need to kill feral pigs or dogs - but that is only in rural areas. Why would any city dweller ever feel the need to own one? And why would anyone ever need to own military type things? Surely education and training would start with - "this thing will not protect you - it only adds a far greater element of risk - unless you absolutely have to have one to control feral animals - there is no need to own one"

Originally Posted by TheChief

Lots of things are potentaily dangerous but banning them is not the answer only by encouraging safe use can we eliminate the danger. Gun Control won't take guns of the bad guys only those who shoot for sport.

Originally Posted by bugalugs

Australians have absolutely ZERO training about guns. Yet our death rate is 5 times less than the USA.

What are you guys doing wrong?

Originally Posted by TheChief

I already answered this. You answer my post and stop using emotoinal dribble and insults.