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Gun control.
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document.write("Although I am not in favour of total gun abolishment, I think that Ebrahim is either talking nonsense or deliberately trying to stir the pot. 2.5 millions crimes averted due to gun ownership. What thumb was that sucked out of. What abouut the three year old that died due to the over zealous use of a gun by a guy trying to avenge his sons robbery? Or is that as the Americans say, collateral damage? And the race card? The head of the gun owners society is white so where does that arguement come from?. Vic");
document.write("MOLON LABE
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document.write("Rebekah Kendal's simplistic arguement ignores the fact that there are lots of legitimate reasons (other than self-defence) for owning and using a variety of firearms. I'm on a farm and use my shotgun a few times a year to shoot mambas in the bird aviaries. I also shoot (rabid?) dogs hunting on our game farm, I use a firearm to euthenase/cull various animals throughout the year. I own 5 guns, only one of them was bought for self-defence and I carry it every day.
I don't think these gun-free people realise how much responsibility and work it is to be armed at all times. I would gladly stop daily carry and vote for a 'gun-free' society BUT the men with the AK47s have to hand in theirs first and the SAPS need to become effective.
Sure, there are gun accidents that the media will seize onto .... but there are 1000s of people killed by cars everyday, gun control to 'prevent accidents' is just a smoke screen
I don't intend to \"go quietly into the night\" and hope to be able to make it to the second magazine if they come for me and mine or my neighbour. God knows that the 'police' are not coming to save me.
Two million legal gun owners DIDN'T shoot anyone today, you passed us in the shopping mall and probably didn't even know we were there.. nuff ced");
document.write("Gun control
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document.write("Confiscate illegal firearms first before disarming the legal gun owners.. Peter Pan");
document.write("Gun Control ??
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document.write("Of the 25 people killed by gun violence every day, how many are killed by legally owned licensed fire arms. 1? None? It would be really interesting to know. Most licensed guns are locked up in a safe. Gun owners do not tend to carry their fire arms with them to shopping centres or social occasions. The statement \"We have a right not to have to protect ourselves\" is simplistic in the extreme. Have a look at the security measures installed at most people's homes nowadays and you will see for yourself what the real situation is. My gun is purely a bit of a security blanket and with the laws on the side of criminals in South Africa, will only be used in the most extreme circumstances.. Pietc");
document.write("gunlaws
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document.write("there are 2 types of people in south africa waging war against each other.the law abiding citizen and the criminal.the law is only biding on the abiding citizen,which means that enforcing strickter laws ,you only making the criminal stronger.Anyone who cant see this isd either a moron or a criminal himself.There are not enough law enforcers in South Africa to protect the Law abider against the criminal.By slacking gun control,you lower the crime rate.It is so obvious any one can see it accept the lawmaker himself. frikkie botes");
document.write("I CONCUR ...
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document.write("....... with nuf ced and peter pan!!!. Thea");
document.write("Guns are great
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document.write("I have never read such a load of drivel as written by E. Moolla, I am sure he is having a laugh because the column can only be taken as a joke. The only reason criminals do what they do is because of guns. They are cowards and without them they would have nothing and be nothing. The only way to go is to ensure that illegal guns cannot get into the hands of criminals. However with the vacuous leadership of policing institutions in this country I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for this too happen..... Jack");
document.write("Gun control
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document.write("1st I do not have, nor have ever had any desire to own a gun or guns.
2nd none of my close family have ever owned a gun,or as far as I know ever want to own
a gun.
3rd Approach this subject with common sense,(which unfortunately is not commom)
and NOT emotion.
4th Remember Columbine?,18 gun laws we broken to do that,[Quote K Hovind],would 2 more have made any difference?
Would you walk down West st with a button saying,I want a gun free SA.
5th and perhaps the most important,
the communist manifesto will not allow guns in the hands of common citizens
it would be that much harder to put pressure on citizens to do what they want you to do wouldnt it,so eliminate guns in private hands by using crime as the lever.(why do you think they are soft
on crime.)WE ARE BEING MANIPULATED and it does not feel to good.. Think about it");
document.write("loose gun
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document.write("I get the impression that Ebrahim's experience with handling guns started when he started researching the internet for content to paste in his argument. He might have played some games with guns in them. He either doesn't have the right mentality to own firearms or he is actually anti-gun but was forced into this argument to make this article look balanced. He made very few valid points. He is probably a fictitious person too. All and all I think this is a poor article.
I have some rifles and use them safely and competently and practice frequently. I had lots of trouble getting my licences but believe half of the new legislation (FCA) is necessary. No one should own a firearm if he doesn't know how to handle it. If you want to read a proper argument for legally owning firearms go to SAGA's website: www.saga.org.za
. vw");
document.write("Disarm Criminals instead of law abiding citizens
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document.write("We, in sunny South Africa, have one of the highest crime rates in the world. Criminals in SA shoot to kill without a second thought for as much as a cellphone or R50. Criminals rape victims and kill them thereafter. Criminals brandish guns a law-abiding citizen just can't get his/her hands on. SA seems to be in a constant state of public disrespect of laws. At home, psychopathic private people verbally abuse their spouses, rape them and generally show their disrespect. In a country with these sad facts crime needs to be wiped out. It is even more sad that it becomes a real ordeal for law-abiding citizens to arm themselves adequately.
Having said all that: No one should own a firearm who doesn't know how to handle it. Training standards need be, regular training need be.
A toddler being shot by a stray bullet is an unspeakable harm and grief. The bullet being fired by somebody who supposedly has superior gun control is stupidity and disobedience of the law, and of common sense. If my son is robbed of his cellphone, but otherwise unharmed, why in heaven should I charge the suspect brandishing my firearm ? As a conscious and trained gun owner I know that I shall only defend myself with firearms if my life is in danger and I am threatened to be killed with firearms, knifes or spears.
Clearly the robbed youngster's life has not been threatened such, nor the life of his dad.
It is, though, sad to see that a somewhat minor incident like a cellphone robbery sends a senior ANC offical who fought for inter-racial marriages and freedom and a democratic constituency, in a rage where he uses his gun and chases a robber.
I just wonder if this is another case where some political party thinks members are above the constituency and the law or whether it is a case where our generally crime-riddled society sparked somebody to take the law in his own hands - knowing that such a minor case would NEVER be followed up by police.
Having said all that please know that I choose South Africa as my home because I love this country. I am here of free will. I could have chosen OZ, the US of A, Canada, Denmark, Guyana, any other place, Switzerland included. I choose South Africa. And as the case in Switzerland is, I think if every citizen between 21 and 50 of age would have to learn the values of our democratic and non-racial society, and the gun laws, and then have a gun at home in case crime changes to a civil war situation, we would have a lot less crime because criminals would face to be shot at first sight when entering private ground, be it KwaNdlovu or just my neighbour's plot.
My five cent - gun and gun-law training mandatory, gun-ownership a right one can choose freely and we'll see crime going south - not the country.. A European in South Africa");
document.write("Guns
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document.write("I am going in with “we should follow our leaders” on this one, so bring me my machine gun!! If you like it you should be able to own it with out fear of owning it. Even if you just like to look at it.
If everyone had work each day and less time to do evil we do then there would far less murder. Crime needs a pair of empty hands with nothing to do and nothing to loss. So teach people not to be evil and make laws that bring about work in the country and the crime will go away. Give people’s lives some value and punish the small crimes like RED robots road rage and the bigger ones will take care of themselves.
. Lance Castignani");
document.write("gun control
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document.write("You say \"Guns have only one purpose. There is no way around this.\" I can play that game too - \"Guns are there for defenceless civilians to use to prevent their wives and daughters being raped by ruthless criminals armed with illegal weapons.\" Dont try and be so very clever and take one isolated case and expand it to make a general statement.
. Chas Lotter");
document.write("Guns and crim
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document.write("I'd like gun free SA & Co to quote one concrete example where gun bans or extreme gun control have actually led to a reduction in crime!
International examples are abundant proving the contrary. The UK is classified as the most violent of all industrialised nations...they banned handguns in 96, Crime is rampant in the UK!!
Australia...Gun crime rates are higher after a ban on handguns! Explain that?
Reducing legal guns in society is more of a crime enabler than disabler. Criminals have access either way and naturally have no respect for the law. The only thing stricter gun laws will accomplish is to make their trading environment that much safer!!
A lot is said about the US and their liberal guns laws but little is said about their murder rate per capita is well below ours!
The truth is this, when a Government elects to disarm the citizens start worrying. Millions have been murdered in their own countries by their own Governments which suprisingly always followed outright bans on civilian gun ownership.. Crime reduction");
document.write("So, you believe the Gun Free SA stories?
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document.write("You might want to check the validity of you sources Rebekah. You make the claim: “According to the organisation Gun Free South Africa, gun violence kills at least 25 people in South Africa every day. Guns kill more people than all forms of road traffic and pedestrian accidents combined.”
You see, that’s the problem with these Gun Free SA people – you can’t believe the stuff they dish up as facts. It is not true that “Guns kill more people than all forms of road traffic and pedestrian accidents combined.” Not according to the latest Stats SA Mortality and causes of death in South Africa, 2006: Findings from death notification anyhow. The 2007 findings will only be released by mid 2009.
Fact is, if you disarm the law-abiding citizen – only the criminals and the State will have firearms. Well, we know what criminals do with firearms – they kill innocent people. During the past 48 hours we know that two police members killed 5 innocent people, as reported on your pages. During the Stats SA 2008 findings these 5 deaths will also be counted under gun related deaths. I bet you Gun Free SA would then also dish these deaths up as reasons why the civilians should be disarmed – that makes a lot of “Gun Free Sense”, doesn’t it?
Until such time that the government can guarantee me a reasonable level of safety and security, especially from incompetent police officers and politicians like Julius Malema, they, or anyone else, have no business in trying to disarm me.. Riaan");
document.write("The Stats SA findings
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document.write("This is an extract from the Stats SA latest document, Mortality and causes of death in South Africa, 2006: Findings from death notification, p.38.
“Transport accidents and assault were the most common causes of non–natural deaths. Overall, male deaths were mostly affected by assault and female deaths by transport accidents. Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape had the highest percentage of deaths due to assault while Limpopo had the highest percentage of deaths due to transport accidents.”
This document makes for interesting reading. It’s a more valid source than Gun Free SA – by far.
Ps. No, gun related deaths are not counted under assults.. Riaan");
document.write("What's the point of more gun control laws????
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document.write("If the SAPS can't even enforce current gun control laws, what's the point of bringing in new laws? Just more chance for corruption and bribes to be paid and more otherwise law abiding citizens to be made into 'criminals'. Get rid of illegal guns, and most people won't feel the need for a weapon will they? Same thing with drugs, SAPS, with the recent success's in drug enforcement, haven't even scratched the surface, so what's the point of having the laws if you can't enforce them? Legalise it and tax the #### out of them.. Lepper_Messiah");
document.write("Gun Law
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document.write("What a joke!! Renewal of fire arm license - only a money making racket. Why not first get rid of unlicensed / illegal arms and then concentrate on other less important things. It is not the licensed people that causes havoc but the unlicensed ones and stray bullets. What is wrong with this law enforcement in South Africa - Maybe they think of all these nonse due to a lack of knowledge themselves.. Anne");
document.write("Gun Control
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document.write("First and foremost, criminials prefer unarmed victims.
Secondly,refering to collateral damage, could you give me the statisics to back up your argument,Rebekah.
To call legal firearm owners violent without any proof is folly.History is proof that preceding communism and Nazism , they began with gun control.Communisn, by the way,, killed 140 million plus people during peacetime.
You and I both know that South Africa is not a peaceful place and we cannot rely on the police to protect us or our Families.Added to that is the fact that we have an unstable and corrupt government.
one more thing, why are Liberals so hard pressed to enforce views and wills upon others but do not like this when the favour is returned.
. Clint");
document.write("Gun control?
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document.write("If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. Not what is intended? Or is it? . RAP");
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document.write("Go take a look at gun control at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w0Pq4QVu0w
Gun Free Zones are at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vyxgJLJVA
A compelling reason to have a licensed gun at home is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ExC7fE1LaY&feature=related
. nuff ced");
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