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grad_Student wrote:I find it odd that the UK is very anti-gun in general but I guess when it's a monarchy, having an armed populous wasn't very beneficial to the king.

Actually, up until the early 20th century guns were very common in the UK (and the crime rate was very low). The English Bill of Rights included a right to keep and bear arms (for Protestants at least), but that has been legislated away. Look at the Sherlock Holmes stories (written and set around the late 1890's/early 1900's) for an example of how accepted firearm ownership and concealed carry once were in the UK.

That started changing in the 1920's due to fears about Communism. Gun registration was first, then a ban on concealed carry, then a decision that self-defense was no longer sufficient reason for a gun licence (1940's or 50's), then, following isolated shooting rampages, bans and confiscation of semiautomatic rifles (1980's) and handguns (1990's). Now all that the British people can own legally are manual-action rifles and break-open and pump (limited to 3 rounds) shotguns. Of course, that doesn't stop criminals; there may be upwards of 2 million unregistered guns in the UK (see pp 10-11 of this article).

So glad i live in America even if we have some stupid gun laws. I dont have to tackle someone if they break into my house

d strokes wrote:So glad i live in America even if we have some stupid gun laws. I dont have to tackle someone if they break into my house

In England you would probably be charged with assault if you tackled the intruder.


oh, ETA:

mymojo wrote:

d strokes wrote:So glad i live in America even if we have some stupid gun laws. I dont have to tackle someone if they break into my house

In England you would probably be charged with assault if you tackled the intruder.


oh, ETA:

Strange, that's not the face I imagined when reading that book. Correct me if I'm wrong but guns aren't illegal in the UK, can't you still have some sort of bolt-action in your house?

Of course the implications of using such an object in self-defense would be disastrous, effectively quelling the desire to use firearms as a means of protection.

karl wrote:Strange, that's not the face I imagined when reading that book. Correct me if I'm wrong but guns aren't illegal in the UK, can't you still have some sort of bolt-action in your house?

Of course the implications of using such an object in self-defense would be disastrous, effectively quelling the desire to use firearms as a means of protection.

Club?

karl wrote:Strange, that's not the face I imagined when reading that book. Correct me if I'm wrong but guns aren't illegal in the UK, can't you still have some sort of bolt-action in your house?

My impression is that handguns are effectively illegal in the UK (except Northern Ireland), rifles are allowed if you can demonstrate a specific need (e.g. controlling vermin or game) and shotguns are fairly easy to obtain but the barrel must be at least 24" and the maximum magazine capacity must be 2 rounds (if it has a magazine). Antique weapons can be owned without a license but it is not legal to fire them.

That British video advertisement showing a child being shot by a "replica gun" didn't convey any information whatsoever. It was pure emotion.

Pretty good shooting. Those kids must have spent a lot of time at the range.