""My point stands - Loyalists who hang onto their guns - just as dissident republicans - do so in the expectation of using them at some point: why else would you keep them except as 'insurance' (or perhaps to enforce the UVF's and UDA's drug dealing). If they were committed to peace they'd have consigned the guns to he dust bin when the main body of republicans did. Instead it seems to be the case with loyalists 'first in, last out'""

So it is YOUR belief that the USA retains its nuclear weapons with the firm intention of one day using them, rather than as a deterrent?

Brilliant!

Don T.