US Gun control

[Monte Carlo]

^ Gfted, your point about how recent this all is reminds me of why maybe sometimes this conversation goes the way it does between US and UK forumites. It's not like we were sleepily led down this path over many years, it is in very recent history and pretty-much supported by Joe Public.

 

One reason we are jealous of America is it's sheer size. The sense of possibility. The outlaw ethos. You can be Billy the Kid, Thelma and Louise or Bonnie and Clyde. You can run.

 

The UK is small. You can run. Just not very far, even now. I really think that informs the atittude of many criminals to guns.

 

Cheers

MC

Edited April 26, 2010 by Monte Carlo

[Amentep]

Wow, I had no idea it was so recent. So what did they do about all the guns already in circulation? Did they literally go door to door asking people to relinquish their weapons? Wasnt pretty much every citizen armed following WWII?

 

I think the UK addressed post-war gun ownership with a 1920 measure (aimed at curtailing guns post-WWI) which I assume also affected gun ownership after WWII.

[Monte Carlo]

Modern British firearms law is encapsulated by two acts, the 1968 and 1997 Firearms Acts ('97 is an amendment).

 

I'm pretty sure the '68 one was a response to the 1966 shooting of 3 unarmed policemen in cold blood by a criminal called Harry Roberts (he's still in prison).

[Gfted1]

No, there hasn't been a big history of civilian, urban firearms ownership in modern British history. There was the longbow, I suppose, but that was muscle-powered.

 

So even before they were illegal they werent popular among the citizens? Interesting. I wonder what drives American firearm consumption.

 

Even in WW2 guns were issued to military reservists, not the civilian population.

 

You could have knocked me over with a feather with that line. I had this mental image of UK citizens, dirty, almost broken, huddling in bomb shelters and all armed to the teeth to throw back the German menace if/when they ever crossed the channel. Kinda like Japanese citizens just before the close of the war. Ready to make the enemy pay in oceans of blood.

[Monte Carlo]

LOL!

 

A much-cherished sitcom here is Dad's Army. It's the adventures of a hapless unit of the 'Home Guard' who were the front line against the massed Teutonic horde camped in France. They spend most of their time trying to augment their meat rations, knitting scarves and gently mocking British class differences. They were made up of pensioners, unfit-for-service kids and guys in reserved occupations. They were armed initially with shotguns, broomsticks with knives strapped to them and US WW1 rifles.

 

Life in Wartime England wasn't exactly luxurious (according to my parents, who grew up in the 1940's) but it was hardly a barbaric fight for survival. My grandmother used to tell me stories about the Blitz (she lived near the docks in East London), the bombing was probably the worst bit. Remember, the enemy never set foot on our shores, unless of course he'd just bailed out of a burning bomber.

[Walsingham]

I can verify, if it were needed, what Monte says. I have seen a rather nice spike bayonet which was issued to home guard to fit on broom handles. Never mind the fascinating Noel Coward song to inspire

.

 

I think it's important to stress, before we go all dig for victory, that gun crime is rising in the UK. In my opinion the link betweeen gun crime and drug money is inescapable. The proceeds of drug crime are so high, and the loci of control so dispersed that organisers inevitably ramp up violence to stay on top. The trend can only worsen since State penalties do not reflect a fraction of the natural penalties for not being armed.