Gun Control Question

[seldear]

As I understand it, Australia has relatively strict gun control laws. I'm not sure exactly what those laws are, never having required the use of a firearm. (Any of the Aussies know?)

US Constitution's Second Amendment? Gun registration?

And where do you stand on the matter of "the right to bear arms" and why? Would love to hear from all sides of the fence and the pond.

Comments

[seldearslj.livejournal.com]

However, I have to grudgingly admit I can see the point of people saying the right to carry concealed would have made a difference in this situation.

As I read somewhere: carrying concealed weapons would only have endangered those who went into heroism.

The first person who pulled their concealed weapon on the shooter might know who the shooter was, but what about the second person who pulls their weapon and walks into the situation? Killers don't generally walk around with "serial killer" tattooed on their forehead.

Maybe it would have helped - we'll never know - but the other side is that it might also have made things even worse.

I think I find myself in agreement with saramund up above. The fact that there's a gun in the household "for self-protection" automatically escalates the situation.

That said, I think the culture of the US is gun-heavy and to try to remove that amendment - perceived as a right to the Americans, and possibly perceived as opening the door to the removal of other civil liberties - would only end up in revolt.

Then again, a culture like Switzerland has a gun-in-the-household culture, but a very different crime and national profile to America. So maybe the problem really isn't the guns but the people.

*ducks and hides from the Americans*

[lyore.livejournal.com]

As I read somewhere: carrying concealed weapons would only have endangered those who went into heroism.

Not to mention others getting caught in the crossfire - I should have said that the right to carry concealed might have made a difference, IF they had the training and ability to deal with the situation before it escalated. And, IMO, someone who just walks down to the nearest store and buys a gun lacks both these things.

That said, I think the culture of the US is gun-heavy and to try to remove that amendment - perceived as a right to the Americans, and possibly perceived as opening the door to the removal of other civil liberties - would only end up in revolt.

True. Which, ironically, would validate the whole 'we need guns in case the government tries to oppress us' thing, but I still don't think that a rifle or handgun would be all that effective against a tank or a helicopter.

So maybe the problem really isn't the guns but the people.

I'd say the culture, rather than the people - but yeah. All I know, times like this I'm very glad I live here and not there.

*also ducks and hides*