The Brits view on Guns and People who LEGALLY shoot

[Melensdad]

Well I knew the UK was anti-gun before I went over to the UK for the trip, but things are really far more ANTI-GUN over in the UK than I could have ever imagined. I was able to "bait" a couple conversations over there because I took some gun magazines like PREDATOR EXTREME and AMERICAN RIFLEMAN with me so there were a couple conversations during the trip.

Shocking is the only way I can describe the attitude toward lawful gun ownership. But today I ran across this article in the BBC, it says more than I could ever say.

Kalashnikov councillor suspended

An SNP councillor in Glasgow has been suspended over allegations that he fired a Kalashnikov assault rifle while visiting Pakistan.

The incident was said to have taken place during a family holiday in 2005.

A party spokesman said there was no suggestion that Jahangir Hanif had broken the law but it appeared to be "foolish and inappropriate conduct".

Councillor Hanif said the incident took place before he was elected. He will now face a disciplinary hearing.

A statement from Councillor Hanif, who is presently in Pakistan, said: "I regret that this happened and apologise - it was foolish and inappropriate.

"It took place over two-and-a-half years ago, long before I became a councillor.

"I accept the actions of the party, and will wish to take part in the formal hearing on my return to Scotland."

Disciplinary hearing

An SNP spokesperson said: "Councillor Hanif is currently in Pakistan, and has not had the opportunity to put his side of the story.

"On the face of it he has not broken the law, and there is no suggestion of any involvement in anything untoward. Nevertheless, this was very foolish and inappropriate conduct.

"He is well aware of the SNP's strong views against firearms, particularly involving children.

"Councillor Hanif has this afternoon been suspended from the party, and therefore the council group, pending a disciplinary hearing where he will have the opportunity to explain himself and this incident from 2005."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7548023.stm

Published: 2008/08/07 16:43:53 GMT​

​

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

It kind of seems the British people get what they deserve. It's kind of scary though.

 

[Mith]

Bob, you are taking the views of a few and applying them to many.

This is the problem with forming an opinion on a nation by making a short visit there and reading the news (which is almost always bollocks).

 

[EastTexFrank]

Totally silly, isn't it? He hasn't done anything illegal or wrong but he still gets suspended from his political party before there is any kind of hearing or inquiry and HE'S ALREADY APOLOGISING FOR HIS ACTIONS from Pakistan. What a cretin!!!!

It's a new slant on the "victim mentality" where Big Brother said I did something wrong so I must have done something wrong so I better apologise for whatever they say I did wrong ........??????????

It's sad that you can get a whole nation brainwashed and browbeaten to the extent where they won't stand up against authority when it's so obviously being stupid.

 

[Melensdad]

Bob, you are taking the views of a few and applying them to many.

This is the problem with forming an opinion on a nation by making a short visit there and reading the news (which is almost always bollocks).

Jim, I will grant you that, but I can honestly tell you that I found only one person there who I would remotely consider to be "pro-gun" and that was Anita. I will also grant that I did not focus on guns while I was there, I was busy looking at your wonderful history. But with the exception of a conversation with Anita, what gun contact I did have was overwhelmingly negative. I would suspect that if pressed, Anita is not ready to accept the gun laws of Indiana.

But seriously, the thought that someone can walk into a store and walk out with a gun is not a concept that most Brits I encountered find acceptable. In fact I believe it is accurate to say that most I encountered would be happy to see handguns banned in the USA. Maybe not all. But most.

 

[Mith]

Bob, youve seen a very small part of the country, and I believe you spent most of your time in heavily populated areas.
If I take an equally small sample, say, the people in the area that I live, then I conculde that 95% of the British population are pro gun.

The article, its regarding the SNP, they arent exactly the most moderate group out there.

 

[Ice Queen]

In rural areas I would think that most of the farming community own guns and use them on the preditors (foxes etc). I do not have any views for or against guns, but I do have a serious issue with those who are trying to ban de-activated guns which are used for display purposes with military vehicles, re-enactment etc. To try to ban these weapons saying that they could be re-activated is rediculous, if I wanted to buy a weapon to fire, illegally, I am sure it would be much easier to purchase one off the web.

 

[daedong]

I would say that Americans make more of an issue about guns than most other nationalities. The average Aussie is obviously happy with the status quo , if they were not they would have the law changed, people would protest, we are very free thinking people here, we don't put up with things we do not like. I guess the same applies in the UK. The US will only change when the populous want change.

Bob you are making an issue out of something you are very biased about.

 

[Melensdad]

I would say that Americans make more of an issue about guns than most other nationalities.
. . .
Bob you are making an issue out of something you are very biased about.

Probably true, but again, as I have pointed out a few times in some of the travel threads, these are my observations of what I encountered.

I do contend that the average Brit, if they realized the gun laws we have here would be pretty much shocked and would find them unacceptable. I admit that I did not ask this of Anita or anyone else, but I expect that if I told them that in my state, like many others, I can walk into a store, put money down, and walk out with a half dozen handguns and ammunition in under an hour they would not find that too acceptable. Further if I told them that I did not have to register those guns with any government agency, nor did I have to pass a proficiency exam, nor did I have to have any sort of a license, most Brits would find that unacceptable. If I went on to explain that I could legally sell those same guns to other private citizens without filling out any paperwork then it is my feeling that most Brits I encountered would also find that too lax of a law. If I further told them that I could carry those firearms, concealed on my body, in many states without ever obtaining training I suspect they would also find that 'unreasonable' in the eyes of the typical Brit. However, here in Indiana, and in many other states, we have no registration, we have no permitting, we have a "shall issue" carry law, we allow private sales of guns, and we find all of that perfectly reasonable.

My gun conversations in the UK never got quite that in depth. Only 1 conversation even got to the point where I stated I carried a gun during much of my normal daily life. So I'll say that I only have a 'snapshot' of what the Brits think about guns. I'll further admit that most of my time was spent in and around larger cities since we based our travels out of London, Edinburgh and York, all 3 of which are mid-to-large cities.