Gun laws in the US are varied by State. In general, it is not about "need". I don't feel the need to own my guns. They are just something I own, and enjoy shooting. They have been a part of my life since I was a small boy, and were the instruments of rites of passage for me. I remember the first time being allowed to shoot a shotgun under very controlled conditions. I remember the first time I was allowed to carry a gun hunting, after very rigorous and lengthy instruction from Uncles and my Da. I remember camping and hunting trips, my first rifle, my first sidearm. I also remember some darker times in the very early 70's which I have recorded elsewhere (in the military). I use them for sporting purposes, and have legally carried them for self defense purposes in high crime areas. As a civilian, I have never pulled one on a person, but my training and background would allow that if necessary.

Friend Graham and I have our disagreements from time to time, and I would take issue with something he said above. He indicated reducing legal ownership reduces gun crime, using the market forces analogy. The problem with that statement is that is just doesn't hold water. One cannot use the horrific actions such as we have witnessed in the last few days, as they are not relevant statistically. They are aberrations, perpetrated by unbalanced individuals. The numbers reflect the same thing here that they do in GB. Taking guns from those that legally possess them don't statistically reduce the violent crime numbers among criminals. In fact those numbers go up, as many of you have attested to using the alibi (not said in the perjorative, rather illustrative) that it is only among the drug communities. The only thing that is prevented is the occasional high profile crime of passion or act of an unbalanced individual. These, though, are not statistically relevant.

I agree that the culture of Great Britain is different than the culture of the US. My simplistic historic view of why is that there was a need by monarchs to disarm the populace as a method of control. I believe that is why Americans, in revolt against the monarchy, vowed not to be disarmed. Over the several centuries hence, this has evolved in the minds of many of my countrymen into a right to own these weapons. For whatever reason, though, guns are a part of our culture that will never be removed.

As to what the States is like, why not ask your countrymen who have visited, say for Getaway. Giok has stayed in my home, and I would wager he never saw any evidence of my weapons, even though I had them at the time. Bill Sables, Micca, Catsphiddle, jacqui C, Andrew and Carole, Noreen and Stewart, ask any of them about this land and its people. We are not wild eyed, gun totin' cowboys. But many of us own weapons. Many of us do not.

Mick