Grateful Dead

Fire- arms murders as % of all murders US-67.07%... from the chart in CB's link Think that's fricking scary ********************************** I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

what is interesting from the chart in this article http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jan/10/gun-crime-us-state is the huge variety from state to state. in some states folks seem to keep their guns responsibly, in others it gets scary...and by far the worst is District of Columbia!

That guns are the most effective of killing tools. My point is take away ALL the guns in the world and the crazies will come up with a new method of destruction. Guns like automobiles require a high degree of responsibility to operate them. The goal is to never ever use it (except for hunting and target practice) but man like johnman says, if the day ever came (God forbid) where I needed it, I'll be glad I have one. I truely respect folks who hate guns, they are scary, but most gun owners are responsible and shouldn't be condemed. "It's got no signs or dividing line and very few rules to guide"

you were wrong about permits in AZ http://crime.about.com/od/gunlawsbystate/p/gunlaws_az.htm from Wikipedia: On April 16, 2010, governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that legalizes the carrying of concealed firearms and other weapons in most places without a permit for adults over 21 years of age. ********************************** I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

I think Badger was being sarcastic with the comments about his statistics pages :-)********************************** I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

are even more stringent and include providing fingerprints and home of record for the last 10 years but go through the same database.

then they are pretty much on the money, believe it or not, the feds don't generally doctor this kind of info. The criteria used to collect it is questionable, and other sources that use this information may distort it, but the info itself is pretty much true.

in the US are subject to background check with NICS and are done at the point of purchase. There is a phone number that is called direct to the FBI. If there is nothing in the database the sale goes through.There are lengthy forms to be filled out with personal information that is kept on file by the shop. I have often seen the shop receive a "hold" and they are not allowed to proceed. This could be for any number of reasons, felony on record, restraining order, domestic violence, health issues, under age, etc. and the sale is on hold until the shop receives a go ahead. This can take up to 30 days. Furthermore, even if there is no record, you must have a concealed weapons permit (in the states that require them) to leave THAT DAY with a purchased handgun. If no permit, there is a waiting period. If someone had reported to the proper authorities that this young man had health issues, no sale would have been allowed. Criminals, however do not use federally licensed gun stores and so do not deal with these stringent regulations. They steal them or buy them stolen. Several thousand purchases are stopped daily by dealers that actually use the system in place and it is required by law to use this system.

there are no stringent checks. Or at least what I saw on German news, there are no checks at all. Any deranged person can walk in to a shop, and out with a gun. Then take it to the grocery store with him, some restaurants, etc etc. In case the cabbages get out of hand, you know! ********************************** I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

not stringent checks when buying guns there?