How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your home?

[Rebecca0388]

Re: How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your hom

I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here, because I know we have topics in Australia that get debated and go around in circles similar to this with no real outcome because everyone is so divided on the issue.

I'll admit I don't know anything about gun laws in Australia, maybe because up until reading this thread the thought of owning a gun has never once crossed my mind. I don't know anyone who owns a gun, or even talks about wanting to own one. I have never even held a gun before and this is pretty common.

The reason I'm saying this is because there is no way you can compare two different countries gun laws and try to work out why one works differently to the other. It depends on the environment you grew up in and by that I dont mean 'class' at all I mean your state of origin. I'm sure if I was born in a different country I would have different views.

It's hard for me to understand why people would want to own a gun to protect themselves, that puts a weapon in your possession that means you will decide if someone lives or dies, intentionally or unintentionally.

 

[aljdewey]

Re: How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your hom

Protection isn't the only reason for gun ownership. Some folks like to hunt, some like the sport of marksmanship, some like to collect rare pieces, etc.

 

[Lovinggems]

Re: How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your hom

As I mentioned earlier, I think the difference is better work/life balance, better access to physical and mental care, etc etc - all the things that diminish hopelessness, anger, and powerlessness. I still maintain that's where efforts should go to.

I agree with this, I would like to know what policies you will implement to achieve this?

I also agree that semi automatics should not be sold to the general public, why do they need to have access to it.

I read nearly one in two household in America has a gun, is it true?

I can't say I have a full action plan ready to go on it, but there are some ideas that might be worth fleshing out that make sense to me as starting points for discussion. I will confess up front that I do find myself having much more socialistic leanings as I'm getting older, and that's not to say I expressly think our country should morph entirely that way....but we're all affected by the problem, so it makes sense to me we should all be willing to be part of the solution.

*Since gun manufacturers would be negatively impacted by either all-out bans or severe restrictions on private gun ownership, it makes sense to me that they should be willing to invest some money in alternate solutions. This could manifest as added tax on gun/ammunition manufacturers.

*States who benefit from gun sales should also be willing to earmark some percentage of those collected funds (sales tax, gun license application fees, etc.) toward alternate solutions.

*Guns are an expensive hobby, so those buying them lawfully are usually people with reasonably sound means. I'd imagine they could afford a slightly increased cost (tax tacked on), especially if benefits them in continuing to enjoy private gun ownership with fewer restrictions.

These proceeds could then go to programs that reduce the root causes: counselling (anxiety/stress management, anger management, self-worth building) could lessen suicides, heat-of-moment crimes, involvement in drugs or vulnerability to gang participation; career building programs could help people provide for their own needs in non-criminal ways; funding legislation to achieve better national vacation allowances and more family-friendly leave programs to improve quality-of-life satisfaction. These are just some of the things we could try instead. I'm sure there are many more suggestions folks could make in this vein.

For me, solutions where many parties win make much more sense and are exponentially more likely to find support than solutions where many people lose.

Some sound ideas there, leaving aside the huge obstacles etc to actually achieve these ideas. I will pay higher taxes to own a gun if I know the money will be funneled back to support worthwhile programs. I understand my freedom comes with some forms of responsibility.

 

[Skippy123]

Re: How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your hom

none for me. I have heard that people in CO have started buying more guns.

 

[Karl_K]

Re: How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your hom

not enough... nuff said.....

 

[Karl_K]

Re: How many guns, in total, are owned by people in your hom

Some sound ideas there, leaving aside the huge obstacles etc to actually achieve these ideas. I will pay higher taxes to own a gun if I know the money will be funneled back to support worthwhile programs. I understand my freedom comes with some forms of responsibility.

All new guns and ammo sold in the US are taxed at 11% to support wildlife conservation and parks.
This was proposed and passed by sportsmen and shooters to help preserve the American heritage.
Taxing guns to support feel good programs that don't work and for bureaucrats eat up all the money.. no thanks!