Would you like have the right to own a handgun in Ireland?

SeanW

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Do strict gun laws mean that determined criminals/scumbags/nutjobs will have guns and responsible people won't?

That's exactly what it means.

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Okay, sorry for getting angsty.

I'm not sure what I think tbh. One part of me thinks 'why the hell shouldn't I be allowed to own a gun' and the other thinks 'guns are bad - there's no need for liberal gun ownership in a civilised country'.

I dispute that entire premise, yes there are parts of this country where a law abiding citizens can live their lives in relative peace and security, but there are also large parts of our fair isle where that is not the case, where knuckle dragging vermin subject ordinary people to a continuous life of fear, bullying and intimidation. They exist nationwide but are most common throughout Limerick city, many parts of Ennis, sections of Dublin and so on.

Since the authorities and the Gardai are unable or unwilling to impose order in these areas, a more harsh alternative is required.

Gatling

SeanW wrote: »

That's exactly what it means.

I dispute that entire premise, yes there are parts of this country where a law abiding citizens can live their lives in relative peace and security, but there are also large parts of our fair isle where that is not the case, where knuckle dragging vermin subject ordinary people to a continuous life of fear, bullying and intimidation. They exist nationwide but are most common throughout Limerick city, many parts of Ennis, sections of Dublin and so on.

Since the authorities and the Gardai are unable or unwilling to impose order in these areas, a more harsh alternative is required.

Sound like vigilantism

not home defence

SeanW

Gatling wrote: »

Sound like vigilantism

not home defence

I'm not suggesting vigilantism (though in some parts that might not be a bad idea) but rather personal defence for people who are constant victims of vandalism, theft, intimidation etc.

tdv123

The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is an even worse guy with a gun.

Gatling

SeanW wrote: »

I'm not suggesting vigilantism (though in some parts that might not be a bad idea) but rather personal defence for people who are constant victims of vandalism, theft, intimidation etc.

And that says exactly why firearms need to be strictly controlled

jill_valentine

tdv123 wrote: »

The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is an even worse guy with a gun.

Or Robocop. I'd way prefer Robocop.

Skill Magill

Bad idea, I remember being a teenager and I know I would have used a gun by now had they been available. Even if I was only waving it about for the craic, there's a huge potential for it ending badly.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

Nope im currently living in Oakland California. And the wide availability of handguns for crimes makes the atmosphere terrible here that and that fact that someone's shot here nearly once a week tis awful joe!!

monkeysnapper

I bought a compound bow a few years ago on a impulse buy out of out local outdoor shop. I had no idea how far these beauty's go , it's a very dangerous weapon . And very quiet . I'm surprised you can own one without a licence.... Well I assume you still can?

Capt'n Midnight

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I'm talking about being able to own a handgun (not an assault rifle) and being able to buy one and keep it at home without having to be licensed.

without a license ?

in a country where TV's and dogs need licenses

where the trend over the last decade is to privatise public services and then ramp up the charges for them , bins, water, health insurance, household charges, way more parking meters, revenue speed cameras etc.

Shenshen

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I'm talking about being able to own a handgun (not an assault rifle) and being able to buy one and keep it at home without having to be licensed.

No.
What would be the point of that?

Hurley stick will do me thank you very much.

IIIAcHmEdIII

Chuck Stone wrote: »

So that excludes people who were were caught smoking/selling weed, buying/selling sex, not paying TV licence etc?

A criminal record has little bearing on predictions of violent nature does it?

Yes because you want someone who abuses illegal drugs to have access to a handgun!?

I do agree the criminal record side of my first post does need to be more specific and exclude people who has bern convicted for serious crimes such as assault, murder and drug related crimes as they show they have a past with drugs.

There should also be a security requirement for the house of the applicant similar to how it is with todays firearm laws where if you have restricted firearm(AR-15, pistols) you must have a monitored house alarm with GSM fitted. That way if a house is broken into the guards are notified.

Nodin

It seems the bould chuck has left us....shame that.

Has he closed his account Nodin? I'm on mobile boards so cannot see.

Gatling

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Has he closed his account Nodin? I'm on mobile boards so cannot see.

Looks that way

Wonder what user name he will return with

Nothing wrong with re-inventing yourself. I'll miss Chuck's witty posts though.

Farewell Chuck Stone

Nodin

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Has he closed his account Nodin? I'm on mobile boards so cannot see.

He has indeed.

hooradiation

SeanW wrote: »

I'm not suggesting vigilantism (though in some parts that might not be a bad idea) but rather personal defence for people who are constant victims of vandalism, theft, intimidation etc.

Yes, people taking the law into their own hands, a fantastic idea.

*slow clap*

JD DABA

Blay wrote: »

Can't use a .22 shooting IPSC or WA1500 etc. Need centrefires.

Thats the totality of the argument for any handgun over .22, or handguns at all, being generally available in Ireland then.

Rifle or shotgun covers all other possible practicalities.

Bar a niche sport theres no need for them.

They could even be held on site at a gun club.
In practical terms theres no reason for them to be anywhere else.

juice1304

Kichote wrote: »

Yes it would be nice to have for shooting empty beer tins and that sort of thing. Good craic

If you havn't a history of violence behind you then i dont see why the government would disallow you from owning a simple piece of metal capable of firing a bullet

Your not you can own a pistol, It must be a .22 and you need to have the mag plugged to 5 rouinds. no centrefire handguns anymore unless you had one before 2008

Witcher

JD DABA wrote: »

Thats the totality of the argument for any handgun over .22, or handguns at all, being generally available in Ireland then.

Rifle or shotgun covers all other possible practicalities.

Bar a niche sport theres no need for them.

They could even be held on site at a gun club.
In practical terms theres no reason for them to be anywhere else.

Every shooting sport is a niche sport in Ireland. They're not infuencing your life so you've nothing to worry about.

Firearms can't be stored at ranges. This always comes up in these threads but it's completely impractical.

juice1304

JD DABA wrote: »

In practical terms theres no reason for them to be anywhere else.

What do you do when you go to compete at another club? or what if you are going to shoot in a competition in another country? and do you really think having hundreds of guns in one location known to the general public is a good idea? seems like a good place to rob if you were a criminal. and what about others possibly having access to your firearm. You are either ok to own a firearm or your not it is that simple.

Diabhal Beag

Only reason I'd need it is for protection and sure I already have a knife and a hurl.

Rightwing

Would be a good deterrent. Blast an intruder's kneecap, then give them a warning to get the hell out, before I really open fire.

hooradiation

Rightwing wrote: »

Would be a good deterrent. Blast an intruder's kneecap, then give them a warning to get the hell out, before I really open fire.

... I assume you mean with your penis as you furiously masturbate to this power fantasy?

Rightwing

hooradiation wrote: »

... I assume you mean with your penis as you furiously masturbate to this power fantasy?

Incorrect assumption.

Praetorian Saighdiuir

I think it would be a bad idea, for all the obvious reasons. There are many hotheaded handytards out there that would hold no bearing for gun control. I could imagine them using it as an everyday tool.

The neighbour is out with the lawnmower - I'l sort that out by waving my gun around. What, 0.22c for a plastic bag - hold on until I wave my unlicenced handgun at you. Why is that baby crying in the restaurant! - where's me boomstick, I'l sort that out.

There is more potential harm to be done than good. People need proper training to be responsible enough to own a firearm.....and lets be honest, it's hard enough getting people to use a feckin bin for feck sake.

Yakult

Would love to have a handgun tbh, a glock or Beretta. But in general, no not really. As per usual the guns would fall into the wrong hands and then we've just more problems to worry about.

DoozerT6

...and what if the aforementioned scumbags broke into your house and got to your gun before you did?

Then you are (possibly) dead and now scumbags have your gun.