Thoughts On "Bowling For Columbine"

Of course the sad thing is that the USA has developed a gun culture and once that is the case then the argument(pro and anti ) is a very complicated one.
Living here in the UK I am very glad that guns either used in violence (although growing)is still relatively rare and that our police do not carry guns.
I think from reading what I've read above it's clear that American society is the poorer for the development of such a culture..............

Ivanj- read the threads-however if you really need me to explain-in simple terms owning a gun,guns being used in violence,guns being relatively easy to legally own and reasonably cheap to buy,a police force that requires to be armed,accidents involving guns,people who feel the need to defend themselves with guns,youths with guns,massacres with guns-none of which are unique to America but sadly much more common than arguably anywhere else in the world.
Guns are part of American culture.

Sugarbrie,
From reading some of these replies you could get the impression that some are proud of the gun culture in the USA.
Imho it's tragic and a massive mistake to consider it part of American freedom and I'm sorry but your argument doesn't hold water for me.
As I stated earlier I believe the situation in America is complex and now it may be close to impossible to solve.
As for the UK gun crime is on the rise but it is mostly contained within underwold assinations and yes we've been having armed robberies and gun related murder since after the war.
It's a mistake imho to consider the tightening of gun laws related to this increase as the percentage of UK citizens who wish to own guns is minimal to say the least-I would think these laws are aimed at the criminal element.
I can assure you the criminals of Britain are not running riot with guns because Joe Public hasn't got a shotgun under his bed.
Of course any increase in gun related crime is worrying to say the least.
You can use Cuba,N.Korea if you like to highlight why American freedom works but you may wonder why the whole of western Europe doesn't have the problems America has.
I think you'll find we have the same freedom Americans have.
I have never stated anywhere in my threads a pro-gun control stance but I'm afraid your idea's concerning the UK are pretty out of touch.

Lugnut-I'm sorry but your logic defeats me.
First up Braveheart is full of historical inacurracies-I have a friend who studied history and nearly passes out at the mention of Braveheart such are the liberties taken with history-as a Scottish person I can say I truly hated the movie.
If you take your argument far enough about freedom you get terrorism,follow Irish history it'll teach you all you need to know.
That aside I cannot see that the thousands of deaths that occur in America may be a less costly price to you and your idea of freedom but to me it's a crazy logic.
As for governments disarming their citizens as a first step of control then the logic bypasses me on that one too.
America is clearly a wonderful country with much to be proud of but imho using your gun culture as a valid representation of that freedom is frankly twisted to my way of thinking.
Shooting guns as a hobby is valid but it isn't much of a big positve against all the negatives we are talking about.
America's gun culture isn't something that was planned as a pillar of freedom but rather something that developed over a long period of time and as such when it becomes part of the culture then it is absorbed into the criminal mentality.
When that happens then decent law abiding citizens and their law forces need to protect themselves.
Is that really freedom?
Seems like a kind of imprisonment to me.

Likewise Lugnut I respect your opinions......well.......you might have a gun.
:-)

Sugarbrie-I'm no expert on the changes on gun laws but I do know there was massive campaigning for changes when the Dunblane(Scotland) tragedy happened about 8 years ago.
This was when a maniac with a LEGAL gun permit shot and murdered some 17 or so children in their class room-all younger than 12 years old.
There was a massive public backlash and gun law reform was demanded.
I think I'm right in saying the two major gun massacres in UK history were carried by individuals with legal gun permits.

Of course you are right,the criminals will always have the upper hand .
You are right too that the gun law reforms will not totally stop the rise of gun related crime.
I'm also aware that the rise of gun related crime will change public opinion and sadly inevitably how we police this and eventually the time may come when people demand the right to defend themselves.
However we are simply not at this stage in the UK and imho the gun laws are being changed to prevent the growth and ease in which people can own guns-it's not the crux of the matter but it may be an important element in preventing a gun culture developing.
The key to me is stopping the criminals before things get out of hand.
I also want to make it clear to the likes of TWL that I neither underestimate American's pride in it's constitutions nor think the UK is perfect.
This is my last words on this and I'll try to answer Onhwy61's political movies question..