If you look to see any socialist state, communist state, dictator, or even Monarchy, the first thing that occurs at the establishment of that is the loss of individual weapons rights.

ON GUN CONTROL

Yes, it's true. I am a firm believer in gun control. After all, I live here, too, and could be hit by a stray bullet just like anyone else. Unfortunately, innocent people are hit all to frequently in inner-cities such as my old home of Detroit.

I also believe in automobile and truck control. A crazy driver can kill me just as dead as a crazed gunman. And, by extension, I believe in chain saw and hammer control, too. Think about it . . . ouch!

On the other hand, all of these objects have something in common. Used properly, they make our lives easier. Left alone, they are but inanimate tools.

Hammer control, to me, is driving the nail in properly without smacking any of my body parts in the process. Chain saw control takes a skill I have yet to master. Therefore, when I start one of those things up, I am very, very careful.

With vehicle control, I have been rather lucky. Yeah, I sort of aim, as some often suggest of my driving; others have also mentioned the words "guardian angel" from time to time. Still, I have not had a ticket in over 20 years and I have never hit anything to the point of causing damage -- those little "thuds" while backing up notwithstanding.

Gun control is different, though. I learned about that as a child. That is, if one does not pay attention, line things up properly, and then gently squeeze rather than jerk the trigger, there is no telling where the resultant bullet will end up. And, gun control, of course, is making sure that projectile goes where it is intended to go.

It's the same with an automobile or truck, actually. The driver -- aimer in my case, some say -- is completely and entirely responsible for where the vehicle ends up and the results it may cause along the way. So, if I am not paying attention and my vehicle takes off and smashes through the window of the local "Gas & Shop," I am the one to blame. Because, obviously, I used or abused my vehicle inappropriately.

So, too, with my handgun. I am the one responsible for where each and every bullet coming out of that thing ends up. No exceptions. Therefore, I favor gun control every bit as much as I favor vehicle control.

Consequently, I have been known to practice a lot over the years. I no longer practice driving in public, though. Like others, I already drive enough. Shooting in public, however, is something that seldom happens. And because I cannot go practice that on city streets, at the local bank or even in a large grocery store -- places where a handgun might come in handy in an emergency -- other arrangements are necessary.

But, that's understandable. You would not want me practicing driving really fast -- as in an emergency -- in an urban or suburban neighborhood, either. So, in my younger days, when we wanted to practice speeding, we used the drag strip and/or the oval race track. And, while it may or may not be true that it looks like I'm aiming while driving today, it is also true that I have a couple hundred hours aiming vehicles while they are traveling quite fast. That I also joined the upside down club a couple times while practicing that is, well . . . understandable, considering.

Today, I task myself similarly with handguns. That is, to see if I can actually do what I sometimes think I can (still) do with a weapon, and also do it properly, I sometimes enter the critical arena of competition.

Competition has all but made me retire my rifle. Without a good scope, I no longer see much clearly when it is over 100 yards away. However, a pistol is not intended for long range shooting. And, I have no problem controlling where the projectile goes with a handgun -- which is my responsibility. Better yet, I can still aim and fire somewhat quickly. Gun control. This is evidenced by the fact that when we wander down to the local watering hole after the competition, I am never (yet) the one buying the adult beverages.

Readers must accept a little editorial liberty here. I removed the paragraphs concerning the results of the misuse of hammers and chain saws as being unnecessarily gory. Suffice it to say that misuse can be not only messy, but equally as unhealthy as that of a gun or vehicle.

My point is that there are many thousands of Americans from coast to coast who agree with my style of gun control and are rather skilled in controlling their particular tool. These people are a major assist to our society and should be recognized and defended as such.

Because, sometimes a handgun is a very handy tool. For instance, I was driving down a side street in a residential area one summer afternoon and I happened to see a uniformed police person doing a strange dance on someone's front lawn. Approaching closer, I noticed that there was a pit bull type dog firmly attached to the young officer's leg.

Well, I stopped and gave said dog two healthy kicks in the shoulder/neck area, to no avail. Not wanting to get my hands down around the business end of the angry beast, I asked the officer if I should shoot.

"YES!" (expletives deleted) yelled the young man. So I did. Difficult shot, that. The uniformed man couldn't seem to stay still very long.

That done, I went home and never heard another word about it for three weeks. Until, that is, an elderly woman jumped on my case at a neighborhood meeting.

"I'm not so sure I want to be around people who secretly carry guns," she chastised me privately.

"Why," I asked politely. "You wouldn't mind if I were driving my big old Mercury next to you on the expressway at 75 miles an hour with the front bumper not 15 feet from your hip. That's got to be a lot more dangerous than a pound and a half of steel at rest in my belt." I awaited a remark about my driving, but none was forthcoming.

"You know, I never thought of it quite that way," the woman said later in the evening.
Few people ever do, madam. Few people ever do.

A couple weeks later, a very accomplished handgun instructor walked into a restaurant in my neighborhood about 11:30 p.m., on his way to work. Two street punks were occupied disrobing two screaming waitresses. The man was spotted as he entered the building and one of the punks pulled a gun.

The armed citizen was late for work that night. The coroner picked up the bodies of the punks about three hours later. And that elderly woman never mentioned anything about concealed handguns again because her granddaughter got home disheveled but safe that night.

Every tool in the box has a purpose. And, when you need it, it should be where you can get to it. That makes life a lot easier, and often safer.

We see an example of that today in Australia, where some socialist miscreants in government recently confiscated nearly all privately owned firearms. In the State of Victoria, homicides-with-firearms are up by a whopping 300% and armed robberies immediately increased 44%, throughout the country.

http://www.nrawinningteam.com/auresult.html

The main difference between Canadian & American laws are simply quoted by you in your post. Only these certain types of firearms are possibly available to you, after 30 days & scrutiny by the gov't. That is a restriction that we arent subject to. There is a whole category of RESTRICTED FIREARMS in Canada that are legal here, but you as a Canadian cant own . According to the 2nd amendment, restricting them in the US is an INFRINGEMENT

But back to the OP, as far as the danger of having firearms in the home, well, take the US, AND Canada as combined examples. Even with varying degrees of restrictions, the massive amount of owned guns compared to the miniscule amount of accidents in the home isnt even an issue. Your child has a far better chance of getting electrocuted by the toaster.

the massive amount of owned guns compared to the miniscule amount of accidents in the home isnt even an issue

Sorry folks, if someone breaks into a house they deserve to be dead by any means available, guns included.

Guns do not scare me as much as the people who try to take guns away in the U.S

If you all anti gun people want to beeeotch about a nation where local illegal gun ownership makes the law, then start looking at Africa, South America, Asia etc. At least we have law! Those places have nothing but gorilla law.

I like where I live and the fact I can own a gun!

Well if you wish to be a helpless victim and allow people to rob, rape, and murder while hoping the police will protect you, more power to you. Myself though, I will take whatever means I find necessary to protect myself and my home. Like I said, don't threaten me and you would never know I own firearms. But if someone breaks into my house, I have 30 rounds of 7.62x39 ready for them. If someone tries to carjack me, I only have 9 shots of .45 there.

As far as having lethal weapons in your home? I guess you don't have a car/truck, no scissors, no knives, no pianos, no bathroom cleaner, and none of all the other useful things normal people have in their home

I keep my guns locked and UN-LOADED AT ALL TIMES. Not only do thay have a trigger lock but they are loced up on a custom 3 way locking safe... ( Number Password, and 2 Key locks ) so the gun is as safe as the person behind it!

sorry,but I dissagree.... even if it is only a minisule amount of accidents,it is still to many that should not have happened.

Sorry folks, if someone breaks into a house they deserve to be dead by any means available, guns included.


ya see,it is comments like that,that scare me.... NO they don't deserve to be shot... what if it was for example a girl running away from an attacker and her only hope to be safe at the time was to run into your home... bang... she dies... she deserved it right? ffs....

agreed.... but are we not supposed to be the more intelligent countries and show other countries an example of trying to give peace of mind to be able to walk in the streets without fear of everyone having a gun strapped to their waist?

YES... Guns are part of our life(unfortunately) when I go to London's airport and everywhere you look there are armed police everywhere I feel sick.... BUT... I understand them HAVING to have them and use them,because of the bloody idiots who shouldn't have them DO... I hate having to explain to my little girl what the police are carrying and why... she shouldn't be subjected to this

good for you... and I like living where I do knowing I DON'T HAVE ONE ... it wouldn't make me feel big or safer knowing I had one and I wouldn't be proud of it

I keep my guns locked and UN-LOADED AT ALL TIMES. Not only do thay have a trigger lock but they are loced up on a custom 3 way locking safe... ( Number Password, and 2 Key locks ) so the gun is as safe as the person behind it!

And if all gun owners thought like you do, and practiced good gun stewardship like you seem to do, and if many of them weren't so content to constantly fantasize about blowing some punks head off in so many posts here on POF , America would be a far safer place.

In regards to home defense, probably the best possible firearm is a simple twin barrel shotgun. In a close quarter battle , it's by far the most devastating firearm you could have .
On either side of the border, that's a legal weapon to own.

Which makes me curious, what barrel length are you allowed to have in CA?

Non-restricted firearms are ordinary rifles and shotguns, other than those referred to below.

Restricted firearms include:

* handguns that are not prohibited;
* semi-automatic, centre-fire rifles and shotguns with a barrel shorter than 470 mm (about 18.5 inches);
* rifles and shotguns that can be fired when their overall length has been reduced by folding, telescoping or other means to less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); and firearms restricted by Criminal Code Regulations.

Prohibited firearms include:

* handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm (about 4.14 inches) or less and handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few specific ones used in International Shooting Union competitions;
* rifles and shotguns that have been altered by sawing or other means so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches);
* full automatics;
* converted automatics, namely full automatics that have been altered so that they fire only one projectile when the trigger is squeezed; and
* firearms prohibited by Criminal Code Regulations.

Q. What is the maximum number of cartridges that a firearm magazine can legally hold?

As set out in Criminal Code Regulations, some large-capacity magazines are prohibited regardless of the class of firearm to which the magazines are attached. As a general rule, the maximum magazine capacity is:

* 5 cartridges for most magazines designed for a semi-automatic centre-fire long gun; or
* 10 cartridges for most handgun magazines

A large-capacity magazine is not prohibited if it has been permanently altered so that it cannot hold more than the number of cartridges allowed by law. Acceptable ways to alter a magazine are set out in the regulations.

There is no limit to the magazine capacity for semi-automatic rim-fire long guns, or for other long guns that are not semi-automatics.

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/faq/default_e.asp#a1


All firearms must be unloaded while in transport. Muzzle-loading firearms may be transported loaded between hunting sites if the firing cap or flint is removed.

Non-restricted firearms must be safely locked in the trunk or similar compartment; if there is no trunk or compartment, they must be out of sight if the vehicle is unattended. Although it is technically legal for a firearm in an attended vehicle to be in plain sight, police often do not know that; so it is safer to keep it out of sight.

Restricted and prohibited firearms must be rendered unable to be fired by one of the following measures:

* using a secure locking device AND locked in a heavy-duty, non-see-through container or room that can not be easily broken open or into
* securely locked in a safe, vault, or room that has been built or adapted for the safe storage of restricted and prohibited firearms

In addition, the restricted and/or prohibited firearms must be stored in a place where ammunition for the firearm is not easy to obtain. Ammunition may be stored with the firearm if it is securely locked in a sturdy container that cannot be easily broken open or into (the firearms can also be stored in such a container with the ammunition), OR in a securely locked safe, vault, or room built or adapted for the safe storage of restricted and prohibited firearms. Finally, fully-automatic firearms must have their bolt or bolt carrier removed if possible, unless there are stored in a securely locked safe, vault, or room built or adpted for the secure storage of prohibited firearms.

http://www.panda.com/canadaguns/#restricted

To acquire a restricted weapon, a separate licence application must be made, on conditions similar to those for long guns, save that a restricted firearms safety course must also have been successfully completed. An individual may acquire a restricted weapon only for protection, a profession or occupation, target practice or competition shooting, or a gun collection, if the individual is a "gun collector" (as defined). A restricted firearm owner must also apply for an authorization to transport (eg, for target practice) or an authorization to carry the firearm (eg, in the course of an occupation). The refusal to issue a license or authorization may be appealed.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/
index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1SEC821618

Among the new guns arriving in Canada is the PS90 semi-automatic rifle, made by Belgium's Fabrique National Herstal (FN). The PS90 carbine is a modified version of the futuristic P90 submachine gun used by the Canadian Forces' JTF2 unit. The military version is billed as "the ultimate system for operating in urban and other close-quarter battle scenarios."

Civilians can buy a version limited to semi-automatic fire -- one shot for each trigger pull -- and a longer barrel, making it less concealable.

Other firearms styled on military submachine-guns, such as semi-automatic versions of the Uzi, are prohibited by name in Canada. But the PS90 is classified only as a restricted weapon and can be legally owned by someone with a restricted class permit. With a slightly longer barrel, it would qualify as non-restricted and anyone with a basic possession and acquisition licence could buy one.

The gun only began appearing in Canada last summer and, at a price of $1,900 U.S., sales have so far been modest. There were only 11 registered by last November.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/features/ottawacitizen/
features/rapidfire/story.html
?id=bf7c0d20-3aad-4348-ae93-949dfa54917a

5 cartridges for most magazines designed for a semi-automatic centre-fire long gun;

You are allowed the right to shoot in self-defense, but you can be pretty sure that an investigation will be undertaken - and the bullet holes in anyone's body better be in the front .

Here's one example of a weapon I could by, were I to want one. I COULD NOT buy an AK-47 - but I could buy some of the COPIES of the AK-47.

I wonder what the reasoning is for that? To avoid the mass killing scenario by limiting it from the beginning?

What is "self defense" defined as up there?

Criminal Code, Sections 34-37

34. (1) Every one who is unlawfully assaulted without having provoked the assault is justified in repelling force by force if the force he uses is not intended to cause death or grievous bodily harm and is no more than is necessary to enable him to defend himself.

(2) Every one who is unlawfully assaulted and who causes death or grievous bodily harm in repelling the assault is justified if
(a) he causes it under reasonable apprehension of death or grievous bodily harm from the violence with which the assault was originally made or with which the assailant pursues his purposes; and
(b) he believes, on reasonable grounds, that he cannot otherwise preserve himself from death or grievous bodily harm.

35. Every one who has without justification assaulted another but did not commence the assault with intent to cause death or grievous bodily harm, or has without justification provoked an assault on himself by another, may justify the use of force subsequent to the assault if
(a) he uses the force
(i) under reasonable apprehension of death or grievous bodily harm from the violence of the person whom he has assaulted or provoked, and
(ii) in the belief, on reasonable grounds, that it is necessary in order to preserve himself from death or grievous bodily harm;
( b) he did not, at any time before the necessity of preserving himself from death or grievous bodily harm arose, endeavour to cause death or grievous bodily harm; and
(c) he declined further conflict and quitted or retreated from it as far as it was feasible to do so before the necessity of preserving himself from death or grievous bodily harm arose.

36. Provocation includes, for the purposes of sections 34 and 35, provocation by blows, words or gestures.

37. (1) Every one is justified in using force to defend himself or any one under his protection from assault, if he uses no more force than is necessary to prevent the assault or the repetition of it.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to justify the wilful infliction of any hurt or mischief that is excessive, having regard to the nature of the assault that the force used was intended to prevent.

http://www.self-defender.net/law5.htm

So how are they about air rifles up there?

I live in Canada. Do I need a Firearms Acquisition Certificate to buy your air guns?
No. According to the Canadian Firearms Manual, "5.1 Section 84(3) CC Weapons", airguns which discharge a projectile with a muzzle velocity of less than 152.4 metres per second ( approximately 500 feet per second ) are not considered firearms for the purposes of the Firearms Act or the Criminal Code, and therefore do not require any license, authorizations or registration certificates to purchase and possess. However, it must be pointed out that if these air guns are used in the commission of a criminal offense, they will be deemed as firearms and the user will be indicted as such.

http://precision-sports.com/qairgun.htm

1. Air guns that are firearms for purposes of both the Firearms Act
and the Criminal Code.
These are air guns with both a high muzzle velocity (greater than
152.4 meters or 500 feet per second) and a high muzzle energy (greater
than 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot-pounds).
2. Air guns that meet the Criminal Code definition of a firearm, but
that are deemed not to be firearms for certain purposes of the
Firearms Act and Criminal Code.
These are air guns with a maximum muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters or
500 feet per second and/or a maximum muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or
4.2 foot pounds.
3. Air guns that are replica firearms
These are air guns that are not powerful enough to cause serious
injury or death, but that were designed to resemble a real firearm
with near precision. Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique
firearms, are classified as prohibited devices.
4. Air guns that are neither firearms nor replicas
These are air guns that are not powerful enough to be classified as
firearms and that do not resemble a real firearm closely enough to be
considered a replica. An example would be a harmless air gun made out
of clear plastic or a device that is obviously a child’s toy.

The best thing to do is to call 1-800-731-4000 ext. 1060 to find out
which category your particular make and model falls under. Assuming
the airsoft gun you are interested in falls under category # 3, the
answer to your question is that is is a prohibited device in Canada
and only those devices owned before December 1, 1998 are legal.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=747624

as for tv licience... oh believe me... we hate that to.... but at least we can watch a film without adverts every five mins...

To minimize even the legal possibility, the only thing I have loaded currently is a CO2 semi auto pellet pistol. If someone gets in, it won't kill them, but they'll think and feel like they just ran into the biggest, nastiest, swarm of bees ever

I have two kids... I would not feel comfortable with a gun in my house.... yes... I have had a shyte childhood.... no details needed... but a gun would not have solved the answer... you shoot someone no matter what.... YOUR A MURDERER.... simple

well said montreal..... IF you feel the need to have a gun in your home.... it should not have bullets in it ready to fire at whim.......

Some even compare guns with vehicles and other inanimate objects. Guns are made to kill, vehicles aren't. The whole purpose of guns are kill, kill, kill. Guns don't kill people, but guns make killing 10 times EASIER. Take the kid for example who killed 8 people in a mall of USA. The time he took to kill 8 people, in that time he probably could seriously injure just one person with a deadly object.

And if all gun owners thought like you do, and practiced good gun stewardship like you seem to do, and if many of them weren't so content to constantly fantasize about blowing some punks head off in so many posts here on POF , America would be a far safer place.