I can kind of see both sides in the gun debate.

[redgreenandblue]

I lived most of my live in large cities in Europe. Guns in private hands are virtually non-existent there. And that's the way I like it. Cities and other crowded places seem to do so much better when they are gun free. I think it is totally reasonable to ban gun ownership in big cities. I lived my entire life without owning a gun, and I don't think I'd like to live in a city where every other person was packing.

Then again, my dad lives in the sticks in the bible belt, and when I say sticks, I mean way back in the rebel-flag-flying snake-handling sticks. My dad owns a few handguns and at least one rifle and one shotgun. Some of these items are heirlooms, some were purchased later. Many of my dad's neighbors (as in "the next house half a mile down the road&quot own guns, and all of them think they need them for various reasons, most importantly to deter home-invasions. I do not find their position extremely unreasonable.
Demanding that my dad or his buddies pay insurance for their guns, or tax their ammo higher, would accomplish exactly nothing, except extract more cash out of already impoverished areas. People would still keep their guns.

I know of no one, even in that area, who thinks they can "take on the government" with their rifles. I think people who seriously think that are a very small fringe. I think most of that is shit-talk anyway, done mostly to piss off those on the "other side".

[Publiuus]

1. The swiss

So what about the Swiss? There are firearms everyone in Switzerland from what I understand. Why don't they seem to shoot each like Americans?

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Several points that will explain this to you

1.- Guns are issued to members f the military to take home...every body serves.

2.- They take them home with NO ammo.

3.- those few who are issued ammo can and are visited at home every so often and they gotta account for every last round issued. These are members of the security services.

4.- you want to go to the range? You buy and use every last bullet in that visit.

5.- The few licensed owners who can have bullets at home, hunters for example, have every last bullet they buy tracked and can have visits from federal authorities.

Hey, I am willing to compromise, and adopt the Swiss model of gun ownership. How about you?

[Publiuus]

8. Nope

Never going to happen like that here. It looks like House Republicans are not going to yield on this issue according to the news I've been reading today. I'd say there will be some sort of new laws that really do nothing as a practical matter. They will shortly thereafter be dismantled in the courts.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Well, we agree it ain't gonna happen here

But you asked why them pesky Swiss have so many guns but little gun violence (though for the record the highest in Europe)

I answered your question. For starters, me serve? You nuts? And I am all for universal service, even if it could be in other areas, not just the armed services. Would help the country quite frankly... But that ain't gonna happen.

And house republicans will not do anything the democrat in the WH proposes. They will check the sky of Obama says it is blue, let's be honest...and being a democrat and African American...

But you asked, you got an answer I suspect you did not quite like.

[Publiuus]

10. All for less violence

I'm all for less violence of all types. I'm actually an anti war anti violence pacifist. However, Im also a realist. I'm interested in solutions that are effective, are constitutional, and are palatable. Banning ammo will never happen, and probably won't help. I also keep things in perspective of the big picture. Remember how well prohibition of alcohol worked? There are 90 million gun owners in the US.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. I just told you why things work the way they do in Switzerland.

[spanone]

13. you never know.

[Zoeisright]

7. Switzerland has tight gun control laws.

They also have 1/2 the guns we have per capita. They must also explain why they need a weapon, and you need to renew your license annually. Details of the firearm, owner, and all transfers are reported to the feds.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/12/18/a_league_of_our_own

[Tikki]

3. According to the sharp shooters...You only need a bullet or two to bring down an intruder...

If you tax ammunition or require insurance on owning fire arms then a rural gun owner is less likely
to waste ammunition or buy unneeded weaponry.

I would like to see a statistic on how many times rural land owners have been victims of a home invasion.
(I do believe it happens..just like those who live in beach communities..it is more likely someone who knows
about you than it would be a stranger.)

Now for hunters, that is a different matter with shotguns and rifles and bows and arrows and such..
..a different standard could be met, especially those who hunt for a living or to feed their family.

Tikki

We can do this America..we can find ways of keeping our loved ones safe without hand~gun proliferation.
We are that great here in this Country.

[Lex]

4. It may well be that irresponsible gun owners have ruined it for everyone else.

Happens all the time. The irresponsible and stupid ruin it for those who were responsible.

[Skidmore]

5. Why fear home invasion in the sticks?

I would think that would be a bigger concern in suburban or urban areas. I live in the sticks but that is the least of my concerns. I would think it is more likely for people in rural areas to be killed by a family member or spouse than it is by a stranger.

[redgreenandblue]

6. Maybe it is irrational, but it is what it is.

I cannot comment on the frequency of home invasions, or would be home invasions, for I do not know the statistics. I guess the idea is that it prevents people from attempting it in the first place. Hard to disprove.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. People who have guns in the sticks

Tend to use them for hunting.