So who packs a weapon on board?

[MoonSailer]

Let them get real safe and restrict beer to 4oz paper cups. This will cut down on DUIs. Maybe water down the beer too. You can never be too safe. Maybe just near beer??? What about pool cues??? Maybe make them out of light weight PVC pipes with a nice soft foam covering. Then they have to do something about bare knuckles. Maybe big soft mittens???

[goboatingnow]

In places like England or Japan common people have never had the freedom to own weapons.

Thats not true, most western style democracies allow you to posses guns, what mainly controlled, unlike the US, is the type of firearms. Its not about freedom, in most of Europe for example, it is the general public that force increased gun control( such as a ban on pistols, and large calibre fireams). Its not about governments controlling it, its the public. This is a point that US gun advocates simply dont understand.

The fact is that the public , in most western democracies want gun control and quite severe gun control at that. If fact if you polled such citzenry they would actually opt for a complete ban.

[jerryrlitton]

Guns in America - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com

Refutations of Popular Gun Myths

molonlabe

[joethecobbler]

when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

What better way to assure no resistence to gov't supression than to have an un-armed population incapable of resisting tyranny.

-see recent history-

[MoonSailer]

goboat you need to read some history. Or look at Israel right now. Jews can own guns Palestinians caWhere do you think not. Israel is a democracy?? where do you think Kung-fu came from??? Oppressive government did not want armed citizens. Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu - Grandmaster William Cheung's World Wing Chun Kung Fu Association

[bobwebster]

I carry a screwdriver onboard, and a well-oiled hammer. While these may not present much of a threat to humans or grizzlies, in the proper hands they can do serious damage to marine electronics.

[jerryrlitton]

At one time a firearm was an everyday item along with a very large knife. Eventually we have civilized ourselves out of some everyday items in the hopes of stupid people not being able to hurt themselves or others. I can see other everyday items being outlawed out of fear and ignorance. I do not smoke however cigarettes will be next, with a stoke of a pen. That is an example on how easy it is to change our "freedoms" which our disappearing rapidly. Maybe it will be red convertibles next followed by sharp screwdrivers. Case in point; How Could It Be Against the Law to Spread Public Information? | | AlterNet You can stick a live frog in boiling water and he will jump out. However if you stick a live frog in cold water and turn up the heat you will kill him. Does anyone see the analogy there?
I love my country however I fear my government.


Jerry

[jerryrlitton]

I know this is thread hijacking but check this out.

Be Truly Free

[jerryrlitton]

Suzanna Gratia-Hupp: What the Second Amendment is REALLY For

[chall03]

This thread is still going?? Oh Dear.
Although I do love it when everyone gets all antzy.

Moonsailer comparing guns and beer is kinda drawing a fairly long bow don't you think??

I guess you Americans do like ya guns. It is just funny to me cause here is Australia, we just don't care.

It isn't actually that we are having our civil liberties violated over here, it isn't that we are being controlled and denied freedom by our government.........we basically petitioned our government to make sure that to own a gun here is damn hard if not impossible and by enlarge we are all kinda down with that....your average Joe doesn't want one and isn't interested.

Now I'm not saying this to inflame, or suggest that America's 2nd amendment is wrong, heaven forbid, I am just saying isn't it kinda interesting how cultural differences and very different perspectives change an issue??