Religion – your views

[Tobbe]

Legalising guns doesn't exactly make it harder for criminals, though.

[spiraldoor]

However, it does enable citizens to defend themselves against criminals, which is why I’m undecided on the matter.

[Adsolution]

I think many people misinterpreted my point. My point was that if guns were illegal, no one would need a gun to defend themselves. Guns were legalized for the purpose of self defense (as far as I know), and it's only created a giant troublesome paradox.

Banning guns won’t make them magically disappear off the face of the planet. Criminals will always find ways to acquire them. I live in a country where guns are not legal, and people still get shot.

But how often? Probably about 1/10th as often.

[Tobbe]

However, it does enable citizens to defend themselves against criminals, which is why I’m undecided on the matter.

I guess that's just the prize we have to pay to get lower rates of shootings.

[spiraldoor]

Banning guns won’t make them magically disappear off the face of the planet. Criminals will always find ways to acquire them. I live in a country where guns are not legal, and people still get shot.

But how often? Probably about 1/10th as often.

Gun legislation is not exactly the defining difference between the USA and Ireland. Try banning guns in America and see if it gets you a 90% drop in shootings.

[Adsolution]

Banning guns won’t make them magically disappear off the face of the planet. Criminals will always find ways to acquire them. I live in a country where guns are not legal, and people still get shot.

But how often? Probably about 1/10th as often.

Gun legislation is not exactly the defining difference between the USA and Ireland. Try banning guns in America and see if it gets you a 90% drop in shootings.

Well having guns illegalized in a country will only give people incentive to hide theirs. Over a period of time however the percentage may drop as much as 90%. Maybe 90% was a bit of an exaggeration, but I think 80% sure sounds plausible.

[spiraldoor]

Well having guns illegalized in a country will only give people incentive to hide theirs. Over a period of time however the percentage may drop as much as 90%. Maybe 90% was a bit of an exaggeration, but I think 80% sure sounds plausible.

Now you’re literally making up statistics. It might be a better idea to track down some concrete scientific studies.

[Adsolution]

Well having guns illegalized in a country will only give people incentive to hide theirs. Over a period of time however the percentage may drop as much as 90%. Maybe 90% was a bit of an exaggeration, but I think 80% sure sounds plausible.

Now you’re literally making up statistics. It might be a better idea to track down some concrete scientific studies.

I read a statistic not too long ago that was similar to my estimation, though I can't find it anymore, and I'm now having trouble finding a comparison between Canada and America.

[neo]

I have no views. I'd most likely only go to Church to help with it's services or host a tournament there or something.

I don't consider myself anything. I am catholic, and I don't feel like changing, don't need to. I just know that I don't want to get into all that.

[iambored2006]

I have no views. I'd most likely only go to Church to help with it's services or host a tournament there or something.

I don't consider myself anything. I am catholic, and I don't feel like changing, don't need to. I just know that I don't want to get into all that.

For a moment there, I thought it was spiral speaking!

[Tobbe]

I don't consider myself anything. I am catholic

What does that mean?

[Adsolution]

I don't consider myself anything. I am catholic

What does that mean?

It is indeed controversial.

[stan423321]

Oh well, confusion.

I agree with spiral on the gun matter; the problem is, basically, that criminals are already going illegal, so they have no problem with smuggling some prohibited weaponry.

[Tobbe]

Oh well, confusion.

I agree with spiral on the gun matter; the problem is, basically, that criminals are already going illegal, so they have no problem with smuggling some prohibited weaponry.

How do you know that?

[stan423321]

Here's a tip: Polish situation on the matter. Guns used to be totally illegal, now some very specific kind (Wikipedia hints at "gas-propelled bullets") is legal for typical adult to own. My subjective perception is that number of gun-caused deaths decreased. However every major robbing attemp (banks etc., not food shops) is somehow done with "normal" guns.

Not to even mention your typical weapon ban is almost not effective in EU if another country permits it. For example, in Germany butterfly knives are banned; however you can legally buy them in Poland, and as German police won't actively search for such a knife (for some reason, unless you are Polish)...

[Tobbe]

Here's a tip: Polish situation on the matter. Guns used to be totally illegal, now some very specific kind (Wikipedia hints at "gas-propelled bullets") is legal for typical adult to own. My subjective perception is that number of gun-caused deaths decreased. However every major robbing attemp (banks etc., not food shops) is somehow done with "normal" guns.

"Your subjective percetion". You're gonna have to do a lot better than that, as subjective opinions don't count for shit. And where did you get the fact that all major robbing attempts are done with guns that are illegal in Poland? Is this your 'subjective percetion' as well?

[Adsolution]

My subjective perception is that number of gun-caused deaths decreased.

In some subjects this would be an acceptable statement, but this is fact or no fact, there's no such thing as opinion when the question "what happened" is asked. For one, your assumption is quite unlikely, and two, you have absolutely no basis of which to build your argument on.

I can understand Spiral's point of view if it were Europe, as you can drive between countries in mere hours, but in spacious places like North America, I bet very few criminals are going to drive all the way to Mexico to obtain guns and then successfully hide them when going across the border, because border control is VERY strict in America. It can on average take 20 minutes to pass through on a good day from Canada/US, but from Mexico/US it can take around an hour at least.

[stan423321]

http://www.policja.pl/palm/pol/1/44158/ ... _2009.html

Według policyjnych statystyk najwięcej zabójstw popełnianych jest przy użyciu niebezpiecznego narzędzia, np. noża. Dzieje się tak dlatego, że często są to przedmioty codziennego użytku, do których dostęp jest bardzo łatwy. Takim przestępstwom najtrudniej jest zapobiec. W ciągu 10 lat znacząco spadła liczba zabójstw popełnianych przy użyciu broni palnej.

It's just that I don't like searching for stuff. Basically: despite the "windgun" legalisation knives (etc.) are becoming most popular killing tools.

[Tobbe]

It's just that I don't like searching for stuff. Basically: despite the "windgun" legalisation knives (etc.) are becoming most popular killing tools.

What's a "wind gun". Is it an air gun?

[stan423321]

(Wikipedia hints at "gas-propelled bullets")

Basically, it's not like I am super-interested in guns so I do not know terminology so well. I suppose that while your Magnum's bullet is propelled by a tiny explosion of powder, the "windgun" either pumps up air or breaks a cartridge of compressed carbon dioxide. Anyway, while it's certainly possible to cause major damage with it, it would be hard to do it by mistake, and it's rather supposed to shoot targets or - in serious cases - to slow down your opponent.

EDIT: Wikipedia's description of air gun seems to indeed describe this thing.