Harleyman   12 #301 Posted December 21, 2012 Lots of Americans support the idea of gun control, presumably they're the ones who'd like to see no more school children killed. Do you suppose that all American people are identical, and that all British people are identical (although different to Americans)? So that history means that you're willing to accept the odd nutcase killing 20+ children now and again. For traditional reasons you might say.  I know as a native Englishman that I would never have aired any opinions on gun control to my father-in-law when he was alive. He owned several hunting rifles was an avid outdoorsman and did a lot of fishing. His ancestors had come from Norway and had journeyed across a few thousand miles of hostile territory before they settled in Minnesota No assault weapons then... Hunting rifles are quite different to hand guns with oversized clips and automatic assault weapons. Because those are the only kinds of psychiatric evaluations that are possible of course.  Then if that's the case those kinds of tests are a joke. Perhaps in addition to the present FBI check for any criminal record a check to see if at any time the potential buyer had ever been treated in an institution for any kind of disorder from alcohol and drug addiction all the way to raving schizo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
buck   11 #302 Posted December 21, 2012 Where did I say you insulted Sheffield? In mentioning insults I was referring to all of the posters who have thrown personal insults at each other. Now, how about addressing the points in bold? I think there is almost constant debate in America about guns and the intent of the forefathers, especially now. My daily newspaper has four op-ed page articles by different writers today on that very topic. None of them fully favor gun ownership a la NRA. Two talk about the possibility of more stringent medical input to mental illness, two others want to banish semi and fully automatic rifles from gun stores. The general consensus is that the congress is controlled by the Republican party, who will never agree to limit gun sales of any kind while they're in power. The president does not have the power to tell the congress what it can and cannot do. He can only veto acts that have been passed by congress. That is also true of the Senate which is currently in the hands of the Democratic party, which favors gun control. The third concern is the Supreme Court which is also heavily republican. So you see, no matter what any of us think about what the intent was in the 18th Century, we're faced with events of the 20th and 21st centuries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Harleyman   12 #303 Posted December 21, 2012 What you have mentioned about the history is of much interest to many British people,and i think the awareness of America's past is why people realise its going to be a very complicated and slow process before any changes are made,though from what i gather Americans are very divided on this issue.I imagine Obama has much to consider,but at least he seems to be making an effort.  It's just important to remember that a common language between two countries does not necessarily mean that there is any other common way of thinking and attitudes. American common law has it's origins in English common law, that's a fact. There has been an alliance between the two countries involving two world wars and 50 years of cold war later on and in the music and entertainment industry a very close exchange in that respect but America is America in all other ways Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
EASTWOOD141   10 #304 Posted December 21, 2012 It's just important to remember that a common language between two countries does not necessarily mean that there is any other common way of thinking and attitudes. American common law has it's origins in English common law, that's a fact. There has been an alliance between the two countries involving two world wars and 50 years of cold war later on and in the music and entertainment industry a very close exchange in that respect but America is America in all other ways  Don't you ever get fed up of banging on and on about America. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
mikem8634 Â Â 10 #305 Posted December 21, 2012 I think there is almost constant debate in America about guns and the intent of the forefathers, especially now. My daily newspaper has four op-ed page articles by different writers today on that very topic. None of them fully favor gun ownership a la NRA. Two talk about the possibility of more stringent medical input to mental illness, two others want to banish semi and fully automatic rifles from gun stores. The general consensus is that the congress is controlled by the Republican party, who will never agree to limit gun sales of any kind while they're in power. The president does not have the power to tell the congress what it can and cannot do. He can only veto acts that have been passed by congress. That is also true of the Senate which is currently in the hands of the Democratic party, which favors gun control. The third concern is the Supreme Court which is also heavily republican. So you see, no matter what any of us think about what the intent was in the 18th Century, we're faced with events of the 20th and 21st centuries. Â I'm well aware of that last bit but the rest is very helpful, thanks. I think you've helped me define the question I am interested in more precisely - Â Does what might or might not have been intended by the original drafting of the second amendment form any part of the debate any more? Or has that semantic battle been conceded and is no longer discussed? Â I know that such a debate would not suddenly make everyone with a gun think oh right, they meant something else entirely, let's all down weapons, I just want to know if there are any movements still trying to fight that particular battle on that particular front. Â The reason I ask is that until I actually researched the second amendment I had wrongly assumed that the right to bear arms was explicitly and unequivocally stated without caveat or context. The modern debate never seems to mention anything about militia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Harleyman   12 #306 Posted December 21, 2012 Don't you ever get fed up of banging on and on about America.  There's often a lot of wisdom but also a certain amount of ignorance posted about the USA on this forum. It behooves me to educate the latter a little  If my comments annoy you I certainly dont give a fiddlers fart and you should put me on your ignore list... rookie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Bolster   10 #307 Posted December 21, 2012 Ah well...there you go then!    :roll: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
websters gue   16 #308 Posted December 21, 2012 Madness. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/put-armed-police-in-every-us-school-nra-goes-on-the-offensive-as-america-mourns-school-shooting-8429375.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
SevenRivers   10 #309 Posted December 21, 2012 Madness. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/put-armed-police-in-every-us-school-nra-goes-on-the-offensive-as-america-mourns-school-shooting-8429375.html  They put armed guards on aeroplanes, air marshals I believe they're called. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
skinz   10 #310 Posted December 21, 2012 Madness. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/put-armed-police-in-every-us-school-nra-goes-on-the-offensive-as-america-mourns-school-shooting-8429375.html  And it goes on to say...   http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/21/rural-church-shooting/1785463/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
websters gue   16 #311 Posted December 21, 2012 (edited) They put armed guards on aeroplanes, air marshals I believe they're called.  All gun-related problems are ultimately down to not having quite enough guns. It's a cultural thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAbkuMclgGE Edited December 21, 2012 by websters gue Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
buck   11 #312 Posted December 22, 2012 Don't you ever get fed up of banging on and on about America.when SF stops banging on half cocked about America, so will we. ---------- Post added 21-12-2012 at 19:41 ----------  I see a lot of blue (links) Has anybody got an original idea of his or her own. Forgive me if I can't bother reading them. They're just opinions not the truth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...