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**stevo** · 06-05-2007, 09:54 AM

I agree to some extent with what you say, however I would have to say keeping a loaded gun unlocked in your closet is not the best example you could have come up with, yes it is "safe", yes it was only an example but lets just say some people do keep loaded weapons in their homes ,unlocked ready for use.Whats to stop a burglar or sneak thief from finding it?
And if someone other than yourself finds it what's to stop them from using it against you or another innocent party?
Even worse, what happens when a child finds a loaded weapon and doesn't fully understand the meaning of safety catch and trigger??
I understand American citizens have the right to carry firearms to protect their homes etc. but I wonder if it would be wiser if it was outlawed as here in the UK, gun crime over here is rare, criminals know that to carry or use a firearm here in the uk could result in a mandatory life sentence.
Our police do not carry firearms on the streets, if firearms are needed we have specially trained fast response units, these are vehicles manned by highly trained marksmen police officers who have secure gun lockers on board their vehicles.
I wouldn't like to think it was required for me to have a firearm loaded or otherwise in my home or on my person, and it will be a sad day when or if I ever have to.
Don't missunderstand , I do take on board your point about guns being safe until they are handled or more to the point misshandled, Im trying to figure if home or personal security justify the need for loaded weapons in the home and if the gun is for sporting use then should it not be kept unloaded and locked away?
Here in the uk if a gun is kept for sport the owner has to prove to the local police inspector that they have a secure gun locker in which to store their firearm and they can have the firearm confiscated if it is used or stored in a manner other than what it should be.
Avon and Somerset police link
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk..._response.aspx

06-05-2007, 09:54 AM	#3
stevo Name: stevo Title: Senior Member Status: Offline Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Yorkshire UK User not setup in Rate My Car. Click here to set it up. Your Ride: 1997 318se Touring	I agree to some extent with what you say, however I would have to say keeping a loaded gun unlocked in your closet is not the best example you could have come up with, yes it is "safe", yes it was only an example but lets just say some people do keep loaded weapons in their homes ,unlocked ready for use.Whats to stop a burglar or sneak thief from finding it? And if someone other than yourself finds it what's to stop them from using it against you or another innocent party? Even worse, what happens when a child finds a loaded weapon and doesn't fully understand the meaning of safety catch and trigger?? I understand American citizens have the right to carry firearms to protect their homes etc. but I wonder if it would be wiser if it was outlawed as here in the UK, gun crime over here is rare, criminals know that to carry or use a firearm here in the uk could result in a mandatory life sentence. Our police do not carry firearms on the streets, if firearms are needed we have specially trained fast response units, these are vehicles manned by highly trained marksmen police officers who have secure gun lockers on board their vehicles. I wouldn't like to think it was required for me to have a firearm loaded or otherwise in my home or on my person, and it will be a sad day when or if I ever have to. Don't missunderstand , I do take on board your point about guns being safe until they are handled or more to the point misshandled, Im trying to figure if home or personal security justify the need for loaded weapons in the home and if the gun is for sporting use then should it not be kept unloaded and locked away? Here in the uk if a gun is kept for sport the owner has to prove to the local police inspector that they have a secure gun locker in which to store their firearm and they can have the firearm confiscated if it is used or stored in a manner other than what it should be. Avon and Somerset police link http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk..._response.aspx Last edited by stevo : 06-05-2007 at 10:09 AM.