M-E-D The Poet said:
I'm English, here are my thoughts on the matter.
1. Guns are indeed designed to kill people. However shooting is also a recognised sport, or rather category of sports. (Target and clay pigeon for example)
2. Agreed.
3. That is the general consensus but I disagree personally. Guns aren't bad. People do bad things with guns. Guns were designed to kill, but as I've mentioned shooting is a popular sport.
4. Trying to organise my thoughts on this point is very difficult at this moment in time because it's a complex issue. It's not as straight forward as most people think.
5. I don't understand how a shotgun is a self-defence weapon but any other firearm isn't. Also, pistols are generally semi-automatic weapons. Fully automatic weapons are extraordinarily difficult to obtain in the US as far as I'm aware.
6. As far as I'm aware, anyone carrying anything other than a pistol they are licensed to carry is looking at a looooooooong prison sentence.
7. What if these people drive to wooded areas to hunt? Or drive to ranges to shoot?
And now some extra thoughts that have been rattling around.
Banning guns in the US will do nothing. For one, it's against the constitution and I actually think the 2nd amendment is a pretty intelligent piece of work. Also, the guns are already out there in wide circulation. Banning guns isn't going to make those already out there magically disappear. Sure, some people will hand in their guns. Others won't.
Part of my plan for the future is to get a firearms certificate and a solid, reliable rifle. Why? Should shit hit the fan and the U.K. is invaded, or civil war break out, or some other incredibly unlikely situation occur, I want to be armed. That is only part of the reason I desire a rifle however. I happen to enjoy target shooting, and have done so for years with an air rifle. I also happen to think that rifles are magnificent and fascinating pieces of design and engineering.
It is worth mentioning however, that I think civilians carrying pistols on the street is a terrible idea and that easy access to firearms is a bad idea. You should have to prove that you are sane and capable of handling a firearm before you are allowed to purchase them. However, the government should not be the regulatory power in this instance. It should be an independent entity with no political agenda.
and as an aside: despite saying you are neither for or against guns, you do come across as anti-guns. Personally I consider myself pro-sensible-gun-use.
If this post seems incoherent and/or nonsensical in part or in full, it's because I haven't slept for quite some time. At least 24 hours.