any chance you Canadians can shed some light on this please?

[Red]

In 1974, frustrated from being continually broke from racing motor cycles, I started looking for something else to satisfy my competitive instincts....trap shooting was the answer and believe me, to succeed at a high level in the shooting sports takes all the commitment and mental preparation that success in motor sports does. In 1993 at Grand American Handicap I broke 596 targets out of 600 and never made a shoot off!
Shooting enthusiasts are the same dedicated individuals as those in any other sport.

Collecting guns is no weirder than having a building full of cars that never get driven or a cellar full of wine that never gets drunk.

Just as the media and other uneducated critics have created a negative image of gun owners (just read this thread) and certain breeds of dogs and dog sports, now they are starting on fast cars and motor cycles........watch how quickly it spreads.

John, very sage observations - My concern is people who buy guns for protection vs. sport (as Dave points out above)

If you buy a gun for "protection" and keep it in your house statistics say your likelihood of being shot increases significantly. Having once shot a deer I have to say that for a civilized person pointing a gun at something and killing it is not "cool" - as I would expect anyone who is confronted with a stressful situation and points a gun at a person.

I'm pleased that in Canada I am relatively certain that there is a low likelihood of any stranger I come across at a bar, on the street, driving, etc. is carrying a concealed weapon - it certainly effects your stress level when you need to consider that someone may be carrying.

 

[Tamar]

John, very sage observations - My concern is people who buy guns for protection vs. sport (as Dave points out above)

If you buy a gun for "protection" and keep it in your house statistics say your likelihood of being shot increases significantly. Having once shot a deer I have to say that for a civilized person pointing a gun at something and killing it is not "cool" - as I would expect anyone who is confronted with a stressful situation and points a gun at a person.

I'm pleased that in Canada I am relatively certain that there is a low likelihood of any stranger I come across at a bar, on the street, driving, etc. is carrying a concealed weapon - it certainly effects your stress level when you need to consider that someone may be carrying.

In Canada you cannot legally buy or own a gun for 'protection' if you apply for an FAC with protection as a reason for owning a gun you won't get it. Nor can you legally leave your guns laying around the house so that they are handy if someone breaks in, you're likely to get punished more than the felon if you pull a gun to protect yourself! This is probably one of the reasons that Canada is such a nice place to live. That said, some years we will travel into the States 8-10 times with the dogs and have never had any problems there either.

 

[swbatte]

I think the bigger problem is the consciousness of violence and fear that has been sold in the US since it's inception. The americans revolted and lead a war against the British because of taxation without representation, and then made it a constitutional right to bear arms, so that the population could never be suppressed by its own government.

Canada just asked the British to leave, and stayed friends with them. We don't fear our government, even though we are highly taxed (by comparison to our US brothers & sisters), nor do we fear our own neighbours.

Just watch American news casts. Murder, rape, kidnap, immenent viral outbreak, the threat other countries pose to their security are constantly shown as the only news items of value. Unfortunately some Canadian stations and newspapers are doing some of the same, but we still get news items that are international, not just our own country.

Americans have been taught to be afraid, and that violence solves problems. Hence they have dangerous weapons in their homes. Not all of them, of course, but far too many.

 

[710]

Canada just asked the British to leave, and stayed friends with them.

Oh, I thought the British said, “listen guys, we gotta go, sorry…” Canada said, "well, ok. If you really want to. We cool”:biggrin:
A very healthy situation, actually.

We don't fear our government, even though we are highly taxed (by comparison to our US brothers & sisters), nor do we fear our own neighbours.

Maybe it will make you feel a little better, but your taxes are peanuts compared to here. Childs play, mickey mouse, chump change, nickels and dimes, paltry sum, a pittance, pocket money, small change, small potatoes… :biggrin: Don’t know if that makes you feel better, but anyway.:smile:

Even so, the vast majority of Europeans support the system, including taxes. And, like you, nobody here fears their government.
(plenty of people fear the USA though, but that is another issue…)

Wow, it’s really interesting to read what you guys have to say about Canada etc.

 

[Red]

I think the bigger problem is the consciousness of violence and fear that has been sold in the US since it's inception.
Americans have been taught to be afraid, and that violence solves problems. Hence they have dangerous weapons in their homes. Not all of them, of course, but far too many.

It seems there's two USAs though, the coastal areas and the heartland - more of these issues in the heartland - less tolerance, more blind obedience and desire for harsh punishments...

Wow, it’s really interesting to read what you guys have to say about Canada etc.

You should come visit, we're WAY more like europeans *what europeans want in North America"

 

[swbatte]

Oh, I thought the British said, “listen guys, we gotta go, sorry…” Canada said, "well, ok. If you really want to. We cool”:biggrin:
A very healthy situation, actually.

Ya, they were a little tired after a go round with the Minute Men, and Napolean. They needed to take a break.

I think Canada has a lot of our European heritage, and some good old US know how. I love both for what their best represents. I do believe however, that America today, and America of the 1950s are two completely different countries. I know ours are different to, but I do hope the average American can take their country back from big business & their lobbies.

On the other hand, I often think that my own country is too much of a mosaic and not enough of a melting pot. Hmmm...