Choosing which firearm to buy.

[61_OTU]

Hamilton had a history of interest in guns, was the legal owner of the firearms used in the shooting and a popular member of local gun clubs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hamilton_%28spree_killer%29

In hindsight both of these men were suspect & should never have been granted gun licences.

Thanks for posting this link Doug, it has reminded me and confirmed my memory of a number of facts around this case. Specifically the clubs that Hamilton claimed to be a member of were not equipped to operate the calibre of pistol he had on his licence. Also Hamilton was not able to demonstrate regular or appropriate use of those pistols. The Police and clubs involved with him should never have been party with allowing him to obtain or retain these firearms.

Of course Hamilton would have done something else, and probably just as murderous, if he did not have access to firearms purchased 'legally', but his ability to do so would have been restricted if the existing adequate laws had been applied. Hamilton was a gun nut, a paedophile, and a sociopath, he wasn't a pistol shooter.

[Chris_F]

I didn't bother reading the 12 pages of posts on the subject, I assume they mainly discuss the ethics and politics of firearms.  Instead I, a long time gun owner, will give the poster the following advice:

If you don't know the difference between a 9mm and .45 ACP then you should first take a gun safety course and get a .22 rifle.  Join a local gun club or sportsman's club and partake in some of their events, talk to people and learn about guns from people who known.

Once the difference between a 9mm and .45 is engraved on your psyche then you're ready for your first handgun: a .22 target pistol.  Once you've shot the snot out of your new rifle and pistol and can reliably place 10 rounds on a 8.5x11 sheet of paper at 50 feet, then and only then should you consider a firearm like an M14 or big bore (center fire) handgun.

Why?  Nothing to do with safety, that's for sure.  A .22 is just as dangerous as a .357 (or should be viewed as such).  The reason is because buying too much gun for your skill level will only turn you off and teach you bad habits.  Imagine buying your first airplane and instead of getting a Cessna 152 you instead buy a decomissioned F4 Phantom...

[commoner]

....how sad you didn't "bother" to read the other contributor's posts......it's been a very interesting and informative discussion with many  varied and extremely enlightening opinions..................well that's my opinion of it..............commoner

[eno]

Of course Hamilton would have done something else, and probably just as murderous, if he did not have access to firearms purchased 'legally', but his ability to do so would have been restricted if the existing adequate laws had been applied. Hamilton was a gun nut, a paedophile, and a sociopath, he wasn't a pistol shooter.

Which is why the "legal" and proper owners of guns were so outraged by the draconian laws that were hastily implimented after Hamilton's actions.

This brings another interesting point ..... The Olympics in 2012 ...... UK law prohibits most of the Olympic shooting catagories so where are these events going to be held?

[ozzy72]

UK law prohibits most of the Olympic shooting catagories so where are these events going to be held?

Lloyds Bank in Brixton High Street... as usual

[Smoke2much]

Lloyds Bank in Brixton High Street... as usual

LOL!

I managed to convince Kent Police that I am sane enough for a shot gun licence, so my advice for a first firearm would be a short land pattern Brown Bess Musket.  The rate of fire is almost 3 per minute with practice and eventually you may well hit the side of a barn 30 feet away.

[Chris_F]

[quote]....how sad you didn't "bother" to read the other contributor's posts......it's been a very interesting and informative discussion with many

[Brett_Henderson]

This forum truly is a wonderful stop on the information superhighway. Like any other type of society, a product of it's members. All ages, several nations, diverse and rewarding and of course entertaining.

Freedom is inherently risky. One extreme would be abject anarchy with absolute freedom and corresponding peril. The other extreme would be where you couldn't take a step or breath without some governing body's permission.. Old age and illness would be your only fear (if boredom and frustration didn't kill you first).

There is no magic freedom/regulation compromise.. So, in the mean time, when in doubt, I'll take my chances, leaning toward freedom (until someone, in their infinite wisdom, takes that option away)...

[commoner]

If the cost of the freedom to own legal things for legal purposes is higher crime rates or higher murder rates then so be it.  .

...mmmm......looks like you read the whole thing then Chris..........that nice........and your arguments are as valid as the next guy I have to say .....but no more than that........

............but I must add, I personally strongly disagree with your  point I have quoted. ........I find that  difficult to get my head round...extremely difficult..............commoner

[C]

Lloyds Bank in Brixton High Street... as usual

[Brett_Henderson]

I wouldn't have chosen Chris_F's exact words.. but if you extract emotion, the point is valid.

Free and ready access to everything from automobiles to the Internet, most certainly facilitates crime(including murder)...

If you start banning things for the sake of less crime and fewer murders.. there won't be much of anything left  :P

[commoner]

....sorry Brett..........can't agree.........there are things which obviously need banning for the sake of us all. Not particularly guns..........just a little common sense is all that is required..............commoner

[Brett_Henderson]

No sorry required..

[eno]

Now there's one thing that it is perfectly legal to own and drive on the public highway here in the UK ...... as long as you hold a full car licence.. A BATTLE TANK. Owning the ammunition to use the gun IS illegal though.

[Theis]

Now there's one thing that it is perfectly legal to own and drive on the public highway here in the UK ...... as long as you hold a full car licence.. A BATTLE TANK. Owning the ammunition to use the gun IS illegal though.

Now a great question occur: Where to put the parking fine??