So much for gun control

[karj]

Originally Posted by GhiaEB

Wait hang on. You agree with tough gun laws, but then say your not worried about legal owners? So you are saying its the owners of illegal weapons, that's the issue? Having tough/tougher gun laws doesn't affect illegal weapon owners. As they don't adhere to the laws anyhow.

Not having a go at ya mate, but that doesn't make sence. It would be like banning all V8s because people with unrego'd ones keep doing burnouts. Or making all alcohol illegal because of underage drinking.

Fair enough. I'll try to clarify.

I'm not advocating banning firearms, but I don't really think restricting semi-auto assault rifles or having a licensing system or background checks is unreasonable. As neither a gun hater, a gun lover or even a gun user... that to me would seem like basic common sense.

If we had very relaxed gun laws bordering on no controls, people would have easier access to guns and gun sales would rise. More guns around and more gun owners. This wouldn't be a problem if everybody was responsible or mentally stable... but we don't live in utopia. It would be up to individuals as to whether they stored them appropriately, or received proper training.

This would mean more guns would fall into the wrong hands and that's why I am of the opinion that we do need a reasonably robust legislative approach. The hard criminal elements may not adhere to the law, but there is a spectrum of criminality and gun legislation does control ownership by those on the middle to lower end of the criminal spectrum. I imagine our current gun laws are very effective in terms of restricting gun use in domestic violence.

I have no idea how we could target gun controls so that we only affected criminals, unfortunately responsible owners get caught in the net.