+75 Canadians/Britains: because of the way some Americans have criticized stricter guns laws like yours, they have created the idea that you have become a prisoner of your government. That you live in terror because everyone on your block is getting shot up since they don't have the weapons to protect themselves. Even though that isn't true. Amirite?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Most people who talk about the "horrors" of stricter gun controls have never been to a country with these laws. id like to see them experience one of these countries before crying foul

by Anonymous 11 years ago

in the UK, while their gun crime rate is lower than the US it has still increased significantly since the 1997 gun ban. I've never heard any information suggesting that your gun control laws make your country safer. your country being safer has more to do with your people rather than your laws, cuz your laws definitely haven't helped.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Our laws define our people. And the increase in gun violence had always been increasing, even before the 1997 gun ban. So the ban itself had really nothing to do with the increase. And while our violence has increased, it still is and will always be MUCH lower than the States. Infact,in United Kingdom in 2009 there were 0.07 recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm per 100,000 inhabitants. Compared to the US with a whopping 3.0. As our population increases, so will the violence. Its the laws that have made sure we don't have 40 times the violence we have now to match your country's numbers. Our laws must have helped, otherwise, we would be having as much bloodshed as you guys, woudn't we? ;)

by Anonymous 11 years ago

if your gun crime rate had already been increasing before the 1997 gun ban and after the ban it continued to increase then that means the law had no noticeable impact on your crime rate whatsoever. so it did not help. crime rate takes into account the population size, that's why it's counted per 100,000 inhabitants, so if your crime rate has increased that means crime is increasing disproportionately with your population growth. so no your laws have not helped, if anything they have made the problem worse.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

The UK's gun laws have caused people in the UK to buy guns solely for the use of killing. Stopping all other uses except for violent ones. Rendering the ban of guns useless. While I'm not sure about Canada I would assume it is the same.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

not quite the same with Canada, guns aren't banned they are just very strictly controlled. so there are still legitimate legal gun owners in Canada.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Thank you for putting words into the mouth of every American, anon.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Thank you for not not being able to comprehend the words "some Americans", caleb.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Please can someone explain to me why a civilian needs a gun (apart from farmers or hunting)? I don't see why anyone would have a legit reason to be carrying one. In the UK (where I live), if someone comes onto your property (like a robber), and you hurt/kill them, you will go to prison for murder or manslaughter.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Well that's not how the laws work in the us. And can you explain why on earth you would go to prison for defending yourself?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

that's not actually answered the question. It's quite difficult to prove that someone was trespassing, and it's a subjective thing, if someone came to my house when they weren't invited but didn't show any signs of violence, could I shoot them and claim I felt threatened? Morally, it's a tough subject.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Why is hunting not a legitimate reason to own a gun? Hunting is good outdoor fun and can help feed a family. Compared with industrialized commercial livestock, hunting wild animals is humane. Other reasons people buy guns are sports and personal protection. I also don't believe it's illegal to defend yourself against robbers in the UK.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I didn't say hunting wasn't a legit reason, I was saying that that's the ONLY legit reason, and obviously not every gun owner uses it for hunting. Also, if you kill an intruder on your property in the UK, you will be found guilty of manslaughter. There have been countless cases, and the moral dilemma is played out in the newspapers and through politicians every time. How can you prove that the person you are claiming to be a dangerous intruder is what you're saying? It's not possible most of the time. Chances are, your 'right to bear arms' has lead to many innocent people's deaths being falsely attributed to 'self-defence'. But obviously your right to bear arms is more important than justice.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I thank you, anon because you actually understand that not all Americans are like that. :)

by Anonymous 11 years ago