2 year old shoots dead his mum

me too, still can't move my thumb properly after an incident with one on Christmas day.

(Apologies for making light of your serious post mate!)

 

I don't have a gun and yet I've never been knifed at home

 

A knife generally kills one at a tike and at close quarters and it's usually intended .

 

There is no doubting that a gun can inflict mass damage in a short period of time but given the choice between being killed by a bullet or a knife, ISIS style, I know what I'd chose. I think what this underlines is that there is some seriously twisted stuff happening in the world.

 

If I walked in on someone robbing my house I know what I'd rather the robber be holding. There is no sensible justification for guns being widely and easily available.

 

I'm not arguing that they're not lethal or that they can be justified but let's be honest if somebody uses a knife on you properly then the chances are you're going to be killed. Obviously if you have a cricket bat handy then your chances against a knife are significantly improved which isn't the case against a gun.

 

Lucky you

 

But if someone uses their hands properly on you then chances are you can be killed. It's all a matter of degrees, and guns are the most lethal end of the spectrum. The fact that other things can also kill you shouldn't be used as justification. If she had a knife in her bag (which for the avoidance of doubt would also be a bit mental) she wouldn't be dead.

 

Is it a regular occurrence?

 

I think my post may have been slightly misinterpreted; of course guns are more lethal but what I was saying was that given a choice between a bullet or being decapitated with a knife I'd take the bullet every time. Guns are lethal and it makes you wonder just what has to happen in the USA before they wake up and realise that they need to do something.

 

I can't see it changing over there - too many vested interests

 

Whilst I do agree that the US should tighten it's gun laws, someone cannot "just buy a gun from a shop and freely walk around with it", there are background checks first.

 

Do they consist of;

Are you a lunatic? Yes/No
Are you likely to shoot anyone? Yes/No
Are you daft enough to leave your gone accessible to minors Yes/No

 

The first question isn't allowed on as the NRA objected to needing a psychological test!

 

Probably understandable seeing as they'd lose most of their members!

 

You should try having this argument on an American site, and I can tell you there are plenty of Americans that would want to have stricter control, but some of the arguments against the controls are astounding.

 

Give me an example..