Sadness

[Guest Scottishhunter]

I just wanted to express my sadness to those people killed throughout the week in the US. Im also very angered and scared at the fact that nothing has been done to even look into the seemingly lax gun laws over there, the reason i am shocked is that nothing like that happens here.

Its frightning and has put me off wanting to move there now, its strange how Canada never gets as much gun crime as the US.

If I have offended any US citizens then im sorry but from an outsiders point of view, its scares the utter crap out of me. I really do think they government ought to at least tighten up the laws there, hunting is different of course but handguns are a menace.

I genuinely feel so sorry for decent Americans.

That is one reason why my partner doesn't want to go home because he feels so safe here. I wish I could do something to help.

[Tominator]

If I have offended any US citizens then im sorry but from an outsiders point of view, its scares the utter crap out of me. I really do think they government ought to at least tighten up the laws there, hunting is different of course but handguns are a menace.

I dare say you're buying into the media hype.

Look, guns don't kill. People kill. There are tons of illegal things here in America, and if we outlaw the guns, the only people with guns will be the thugs who don't care for the law.

[wtnhunt]

Its frightning and has put me off wanting to move there now, its strange how Canada never gets as much gun crime as the US.

Guess you missed out on hearing about the shootings in Canada back earlier this year or late last year. Maybe someone else remembers. How many were killed in that one?

I dare say you're buying into the media hype.

Yep, would have to agree.

[stevebeilgard]

now, do a search into the shootings that occure daily in england, austrailia, new zealand, and the rest of the world with extremly tough gun laws. if one thing has been prooven over and over again, it's the FACT that less people with guns means more gun crime.

drunk driving is totally illegal everywhere. why do so many folks get drunk and then drive home? it's that people will do what they want, no matter the cost. this guy wanted to die, and thought he'd make " a name" for himself. he was also mentally deranged and stole a gun (from his foster home).

[BowtechTurkeyHunter]

Or about the Farmer in Canada who killed the GOOSE hunter (Avery Prostaffer)laying in his blind in the middle of a goose spread cause he wanted to shoot a goose on the ground with a rifle ... it happens up there too ... the laws we have here concerning gun rights protect the innocent most crimes happen when ppl who shouldn't have guns get them illegally ... then what happens when you restrict the guns to the ones who can ... the felons and ppl who shouldn't have them are the ones who end up with them just like it was before ...we don't need more laws we need more enforcement ... when someone kills someone ... its real simple then they shouls go through the process and be killed themselves its actually quite simple ... except for the bleeding liberals who think everything has to be equal for every single person ...

Steve

[OJR]

I believe with your attitude, you should stay where you are at! We don't need anymore of those ideas trying to pass more "gun" laws when they don't apply the ones on the books now!

Very narrow minded attitude that you two have!

[buckee]

I think I'll move this discussion:rolleyes: to the political room, where it might be better served

[Guest Scottishhunter]

I believe with your attitude, you should stay where you are at! We don't need anymore of those ideas trying to pass more "gun" laws when they don't apply the ones on the books now!

Very narrow minded attitude that you two have!

Excuse me, I dont take kindly to people saying im narrow minded when you dont even know me. All i said was that something has to be done because too many people are dying.

In Scotland that kinda stuff never happens, so obviously it is strange to me.

My partner is an American but he actually sees what goes on too and admitted the crime here is less than there.

I am not trying to make enemies here but i dont appreciate people like you personally attacking me.

Yes there are pleanty of nice places in the US but there are also alot of seedy places that I wouldn't go to. And alot of maniacs too.

To everyone one else on the board, Im sorry but I get really angry at people who personally attack me for no reason or judge me when they dont even know me.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

...In Scotland that kinda stuff never happens, so obviously it is strange to me...

That's interesting, since according to the World Health Organization, Scotland has the 2nd highest murder rate in Europe. Finland has the highest and that's largely blamed on their ultra-liberal penal system which almost never results in criminals being incarcerated. Scotland's high murder rate is thought to be caused by alcohol and drug abuse. (Not my findings, it's the WHO's).

The point that most of us Americans are trying to make here is really about personal freedom and personal responsibility. Most Europeans say "get rid of guns to control crime" while most Americans say "give us guns to protect ourselves from crime."

[Guest Scottishhunter]

I can see where your coming from but really we shouldn't need guns in the first place (hunting excluded as its a hobby of mine) but for protection i've never felt that i've had to even think about having one, nor my family or anyone in my town, in the part of Scotland I live in its safe. The readings you got may be true but the crime in Scotland is nothing compared to that of in the USA. We dont get shooting sprees in malls or schools (we had one years ago which caused the ban on handguns) we dont have bank robberies etc, you get drug crime and alcohol related crime but like i said its not like what you would see in the US and i've never been attacked.

Its like when I visited my partner's family in Mississippi it looks alright, there was alot of poverty which you wouldn't get in Scotland but I never saw any crime.

I think you have to watch your back more in the US, I know people who live there and there are places you go to and places that you dont.

I just dont like handguns, fair enough you own a shotgun or rifle for hunting but there is no real use for handguns that I can personally understand.

Plus on another note, our crimes never seem to hit international news like America, theres been at least 3 shootings i've heard on our news in the past week (1 in Nebraska and 2 in Colorado), that aint good. There is an obviously underlying issue there, i dont know if its the people over there or what but gun crime is out of control.

[Tominator]

Sounds like you have your mind made up. Hope your "partner" likes Scotland.

"...to disarm the people - that was the best and most effectual way to enslave them." (George Mason)

[LifeNRA]

I just dont like handguns, fair enough you own a shotgun or rifle for hunting but there is no real use for handguns that I can personally understand.

Sooooooo, if you use a shotgun for skeet shooting or sporting clays, I guess I cant use my handgun for sport competitions??? Which there are numerous types!!! I also have a concealed weapons permit that allows me to carry my handgun for personal self defense! People even HUNT with their handguns! So if you come over here I guess you will be lobbying to remove my right to carry, hunt, and own???

Sorry, but we don't need anymore of this type here!!! The only reason you see this stuff in the news. ITS BECAUSE THE NEWS MEDIA WANTS THE GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE! JUST LIKE YOUR COUNTRY!!!

Maybe you need to take a visit here>>> www.NRA.org !!! Get in there and see why we all feel this way!!! We don't want OUR COUNTRY ending up like yours!!!

[Muff]

WOW I knew this post was going to get people going....I live in Canada.I have to do all the courses and test and back ground checks just to have a gun to hunt with.....but If I really wanted a gun I could just head to Toronto or some place like that were you can get a nice hand gun on the street in about 5 minutes....gun laws only work for or should I say against us hunters and sportsman.

[popgun]

Scottishhunter, you probably are better off where you are, and in the long run, so are we.

It is easy to Google crime statistics and see that you are three times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime in Scotland than here in the United States of America.

By the way, in two of the three incidences in America that you mentioned, long guns (or rifles), were used and not handguns.

Another thing I might mention is that "all news" is open here in America for the press to dispense all over the world. The news does not have to have our government's approval before it can be released to the world. Naturally the news that sells is the "Sensational", and not the everyday good hearted American doing what Americans do best. Everyone knows that that would just be boring.

Do you have any public land to hunt on in Scotland, or is it all just pay your money, and shoot a few farm raised birds, bunnies, or red stag?

....popgun

[buckee]

Population of Scotland 2007 - 5,094,800

Population of USA 2007 - 303,567,843

Of course you're going to have more murders

But, guns don't kill people

People kill people.

It's a moral(spiritual) problem, not a gun problem.

[Guest Scottishhunter]

Scottishhunter, you probably are better off where you are, and in the long run, so are we.

It is easy to Google crime statistics and see that you are three times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime in Scotland than here in the United States of America.

By the way, in two of the three incidences in America that you mentioned, long guns (or rifles), were used and not handguns.

Another thing I might mention is that "all news" is open here in America for the press to dispense all over the world. The news does not have to have our government's approval before it can be released to the world. Naturally the news that sells is the "Sensational", and not the everyday good hearted American doing what Americans do best. Everyone knows that that would just be boring.

Do you have any public land to hunt on in Scotland, or is it all just pay your money, and shoot a few farm raised birds, bunnies, or red stag?

....popgun

Actually there are alot of Americans that check in at the airport that come back from hunting and think its the best in the world. We have alot of really good looking deer here and hunting is varied. (grouse, woodcock, patridge, rabbit, geese, duck etc)

Yes, there is land you can hunt on here which my dad knows alot of farmers that need to get rid of a few wood pigeon. The hunting your talking about is for rich yuppy tourists from the US who pay $1000 to hunt one big big stag and take the rack home. That isn't my idea of "hunting"

Its funny how most people that hunt here are from Canada, Italy or the US.

Personally i prefer the idea of hunting in the US with my partners dad, he has a farm in MS which has alot of beautiful land to hunt on. There have been alot of big bucks from that area.

[Guest Scottishhunter]

To the rest of the guys here, im sorry if i have offended any of you but i just wanted to find out why there is so much violence in the US which i never really hear of here on our news.

Is there any particular states that get more crime than others? Is there a trend?

[wtnhunt]

just wanted to find out why there is so much violence in the US which i never really hear of here on our news.

Is there any particular states that get more crime than others? Is there a trend?

First of all violence is worldwide, not just in the US, don't know what you are able to see on your news reports there in Scotland but sounds like the media is feeding you some anti gun and anti US garbage. When there are people who are just plain nuts or people that hate one another, there will unfortunately be sad stories like we hear in the news.

Higher violent crime rates do tend to occur in more populated areas where there are more other types of problems already present. Tennessee is not bad, but Memphis has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, why, because there are tons of problems there. Think it is pretty well to be expected that where there are problems with drugs, gangs, and etc. that violent crime rates will also be higher.

We hear about murders in Memphis all the time, we don't go to Memphis, no reason to. I would imagine that most of those crimes are not by law abiding gun owners, and would further go on to say that I would be willing to bet that most of the weapons used in those crimes where weapons are used were not legally registered to the person who used it.

Sick people are everywhere. Anyone remember the railway killer? He slaughtered people all over this country, he came here from Mexico, what did he use to kill his more than a dozen victims? Whatever he could find, sledgehammers, knives, other blunt objects he bludgeoned people to death with.

I can see where your coming from but really we shouldn't need guns in the first place (hunting excluded as its a hobby of mine) but for protection i've never felt that i've had to even think about having one, nor my family or anyone in my town, in the part of Scotland I live in its safe.

Here we do have a right to own and bear firearms, if you really feel that way, I honestly think that maybe you are better off where you are. No good comes from taking away our rights to keep and bear arms. Afraid if that step ever comes, we are on a fast track to handing the reigns of this country over to the UN and well on our way to communism.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

An armed man is a citizen, an unarmed man is a subject.

I for one will never submit to being a subject. I bow to no king, queen, or prince. I have met President Bush. I shook his hand and looked him in the eye as an equal.

[Guest AllArmyoutdoorsSD]

Population of Scotland 2007 - 5,094,800

Population of USA 2007 - 303,567,843

Of course you're going to have more murders

But, guns don't kill people

People kill people.

It's a moral(spiritual) problem, not a gun problem.

Exactly, The problem we are facing is that, "Progress" has changed the way we raise our children, ie I am not politicaly correct when I spank my child for doing wrong, therefore our children learn that there are little or no consequences for their actions. I am not saying that there are not alternatrive measures that could be taken nor am I making excuses, But we are experiencing a moral melt down right now, that started by taking the pledge of allegience and religion out of our daily lives, our young people actualy have no clue how lucky they are to live in a country where they are free to believe in what ever they want, Add organized media and there you have it, One entity preaching on the Tele murder and mahem. I believe this country is going to go back to our roots, to the very building blocks that our wonderful freedoms were established. It's already started just look at this forum, I am sorry that you feel you were "attacked personaly" however you must understand (I don't mean to speak for every one), that most of us would die to preserve our way of life and your comments sure felt like a punch in the gut. It's true we have our problems, doesn't every body? This is still the USA and our freedoms are sacred, God Bless US, we will endure and prosper!

[MCH]

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free...."

God Bless the USA.

'Nuf said.

[Guest Scottishhunter]

And I am proud to be Scottish, we are an ancient nation and have alot of traditions too. I love Americans and I am not saying "Ohh I want to ban guns" NO NO I am just saying that we dont get gun crime on the scale that you guys get.

I speak to Americans on a daily basis with my job and they love to come to Scotland (hunting mostly) but theres nothing wrong with that, just like I prefer to hunt in the US because I feel its far too expensive to deer hunt here.

I can bet not alot of you have been to Scotland either, it is like the US but a wee bitty different. I know alot of people decent from us that live in your country which is cool, I also get alot of attention over there because of my accent

To clarify Scotland is a free country, but we just have tight gun control which really doesn't bother or anyone else here, we aren't a gun culture like you guys. I am a proud Scotswoman

This is gonna sound funny but every time I check in an American they are mostly always from Ohio lol I just wonder why that is? Its an invasion I think you guys cant get enough of here same as I cant get enough of the US, esp the South.

Seriously though, gun control doesn't bother me as such but I would hate to live in a place where i couldn't walk about at night and not feel safe or just feel paranoid alot.

I really didn't think Memphis was the worst place I thought Los Angeles would have been a **** of a lot worse off no?

[Guest Clay008]

Seriously though, gun control doesn't bother me as such but I would hate to live in a place where i couldn't walk about at night and not feel safe or just feel paranoid alot.

quote]

Are you saying you would be willing to walk anywhere in Scotland at night?

I have to believe there are some unpleasant areas in Scotland. If not there must be some friendly people there.

I think many people would disagree with your view that American's walk around feeling unsafe and paranoid that death awaits them around the corner.

I would be willing to bet that more people die as a result of Drunk Driving than Gun Violence.

[Guest Andrea]

Nowadays there are sickos everywhere. Not just in the densely populated cities like Los Angeles and New York City. And it would NOT matter if there was a ban on handguns. Heck.....there's a ban on drugs but guess what??? It's everywhere. You ban handguns.......it will not stop the psychopath who is bent on killing innocent people at a shopping mall or church. ( A pretty safe place to be you would think)

Violent crime is everywhere. Your country and ours. Wanna know the solution?? When a killer is convicted.....put him on death row and then put him to death. Bring back the electric chair. Bring back hangings. Murderers and rapists and child molesters today know there is nothing to fear.

I for one love this country and my right to bear arms. Would I feel safer knowing handguns have been banned? Absolutely not.

[Guest Scottishhunter]

Hmm, I have not been brought up to own a gun neither have I felt that I had to own one for protection, it would be a sad day if i had to. In Scotland theere are some bad places but I do not go to them, plus where I live is safe and there is hardly any crime, people here dont own weapons for protection because we dont feel its that bad. But I think sentencing someone to death is an easy way out for the criminal dont you think? Would life in prison with no parole not be better? Make them suffer. I do believe in the death penalty but i dont think it will ever be legal here.

I think you read my post wrong, I didn't say Americans lived in fear or paranoia, what I did say was that I would not like to be like that because i'd rather live someone safe.

Theres never any shootings here, crimes here are drug related but not on a scale like US massacres etc.

If I ever move to th US, I might consider owning a handgun for my own safety as your up against criminals who have guns and not knives - different ball game altogether in my view. I've been taught self defence on how to defend myself against a knife-wielding criminal but you cant really defend yourself from a bullet which is really scary. So yeah in America, I would probably have to own a gun for my own protection.

My partners parents own a gun but never used one.

I think it just depends on the area your in, or even the state perhaps.

Im going to Charlotte, NC for 6 weeks for training, i've got a job with US airways as station manager at Glasgow internation airport so im really looking forward to going back there. Can anyone tell me what that area is like, is it safe?

Thanks all.