Now I'll add my worthless two cents as a firearm owner:
1) Where every country has its share of paranoia, the US truelly stands out (I know I've been around some). It's not only the media that bombards the population 24/7 with paranoia from crime to "yoghurt with seeds can kill you, see why at seven here on (insert TV station of choice)". Paranoia even permeates ploitics at every level and the average US gun owner believes his weapon is his/her first line of defense which brings us to the next point.
2) A firearm should never be your first line of defense unless you are in a war zone or law enforcement facing armed criminals. Why?
a) It creates a false sense of security. The odds of a firearm owner ever having the chance to draw his weapon on criminals armed with weapons are less than slim. I have been in a situation where I was held up while unarmed and can tell you I was thankful I wasn't armed. Not only would I have not been able to eleminate all three threats without being killed myself, but they would have stolen my firearm too, thus furnishing them with yet another tool with which to commit armed robbery and perhaps murder. Even though I had a CCW in my past employment, I never carried my side arm while off duty and to this day do not. It is for the most part poinless. There are other measures which one should take before depending on a firearm, particularly for home defense. If you would like to know what these are please ask, I would be happy to share well established measures far more effective than a firearm.
3) There is absolutely NO reason to own an assault rifle, unless you live on the Mexican border on a ranch or are military/law enforcement. Too many people own them for the FUN factor which really gets my blood boiling. No firearm is a toy - get a paintball gun if that's your motive for wanting one. Shooting should be enjoyable but the reason for owning a firearm should not be for FUN or to be COOL. Nowhere near enough owners take the responsibility seriously enough. Ban assault rifles - period. Go to a firing range that offers them to shoot if you insist on having fun with one.
4) Want a handgun? revolvers only. Why? even with speed loaders, it takes a lot longer to reload a revolver than a semi-auto pistol and max of 9 rounds can be fed (.22)
5) Shotguns with five round capacity and hunting rifles with three round capacity only. If you can't bag your quarry in 5/3 shots you have no business holding a firearm let alone owning one.
6) Anyone applying to purchase a firearm must undergo strict training followed by both live fire exams. You only get two chances at it. A system should be in place where a firearm safety inspector can visit your residence and make sure you have a certified safe installed prior to being able to collect your firearm. He should also pay random visits on firearm owners to make sure all safety rules and laws are being adhered to. Levy a special tax on ammo purchases to pay for these inspectors. I'll happily cough up if it means cuttimg the number of reckless, neglegent firearm owners out there.
7) Punishment for violations are an absolute joke. If you are found to be criminally neglegent, immediate confiscation of all firearms, banning of purchasimg or handling firearms and community service - at ERs if possible (yes that's a bit of a push bu it would be hreat if morons got a taste of the reality of gun shot trauma).
8) If a child or someone not registered to the weapon in question shoots someone whether accidently or purposely, the owner gets a mandatory felony charge and sentence comparable to 1st degree manslaughter.
Don't feed me this crap that legal gun owners aren't responsible for much of the gun related deaths. Domestic violence is one of the top contributors to gun violence - these are people that aquired their weapons legally. The mass murderers? With the exception of Dylan Clebold and Eric Harris, I'm pretty sure all the others either were legal gun owners, or aquired their weapons from neglegent legal gun owners (usually parents).
And don't even get me started on these assholes who carry assault weapons openly down their neighborhoods because in their state open carry is legal. Their pretentious, arrogant attitudes do every responsible gun owner a huge disservice. You are NOT Delta Force, you are a pathetic wannabe shit-stirrer and Id love an opportunity to put one of you in your place.
And enough with politicians pandering to the dispicable NRA.
Firearms are simply not seen for what they should be by way too many Americans. They are lethal tools designed for very specific applications. They are NOT status symbols. They are NOT "big boys toys". They are NOT for children under the age of 13! You do NOT need to carry 28 rounds on you outside of a shooting range. If you cannot hit your target within five shots you should not be shooting at it. Those stray bullets don't magically stop if they don't strike their intended target.
Sorry that was more like a Monopoly dollar's worth. But there you have it.
