animalpest wrote:I am certainly NOT anit-gun or even suggesting that.
But I dont see that we - as in Australia, not you - need open slather for high powered semi autos.
Yes, gun owners should have more say.
From the earlier comment you made above, along with this one, you are saying that you agree with the current laws...The fact is that the current laws are draconian, & completely totalitarian, and this is backed up with not only a complete lack of logic, but also an immense amount of hypocrisy...
I can own a 308 bolt action repeater & have as many 10 shot mags strapped to my belt & a years supply of ammo, which is in accordance with the written law, is within the realms of the public being safe...but i cant have a 12G self-loader with a 5+1 capacity to smash pigeons & bunny's with & struggle to carry a box of rounds, because according to not only the totalitarians & law makers, but also according to you (going by previous comments), i pose an extreme threat to the safety of the public...
And i link the example ive given to your earlier comment in regards to high enough power firearms that can kill people...
If you openly state that you believe in these laws, & thus agree that im a threat to the public, then you should expect such shut-downs as Trekkin has delivered to you.
I, like you, & many others here, have grown up with guns, & in many cases, whilst we may not earn a living from it, are likely just as good as you are in our chosen areas of vermin control & firearms prowess. So whilst i respect your extensive knowledge & experience, that doesnt extend your jurastiction to speak for me, or others for that matter, on such things as me not being allowed to screw a moderator on the end of my Brno 22 to smack some pigeons, or to have a little safe fun with kids & adults alike with a self-loading rimfire...
There is not much good about the laws we have, & it seems people who hold similar values to you, fail to see that these laws also propel a very bad culture & non-respectful attitude towards firearms, & firearms usage & ownership...
So if you are to take the "ENTIRETY" of the gun laws, & their total effects on society into account, they in fact probably do more damage to society in segregation & encourage an un-educated & heavily bigoted view of all of us...yet i could probably do as much damage with a car, or even golf club in the right public setting than with a shotgun.
Anyway...not meaning to get all ranty...just maybe convey an aspect of what you might have been encouraged to ignore, due all the anti-gun propoganda thats hit the airwaves since Little Jonny won himself a few terms based on instilling a nazi like emotional fear into what was once, a country with a healthy attitude to firearms...