Freedom in the US vs. Britain

[Watchdog]

Here is at least one article. The USA is at the top. Look at the list and think about what I was saying about gun culture and the ability to obtain firearms easily, without registration or government issue or approval.

While looking at that list, be aware that it's well over two-years-old.

 

[Watchdog]

One of the fathers staying with my neighbor was a high rank in the London police and he asked to get the tour.

Just let me say he was dumbstruck by what I had and he got a chance to touch all sorts of guns he had only heard about "on the job". Sorry we had no time to go shooting with him, but he confided to me that he envied our freedoms vs being a subject of the queen.

If he was really a high rank in the London police, I hope he was at least intelligent enough to know that the queen has nothing to do with Britain's gun laws.

 

[Abbynormal]

I met a young man and his wife last June. They had moved here from Britain. The young man just bought a Walther P99 pistol. He plans to take lessons and include his wife. Then he wants to get a Concealed Carry Permit.

His mother is horrified that just anyone can walk into a gun store and buy such a horrid thing like a gun. His friends still in Britain are shocked, but envious. Owning a Walther P99 in Britain? Not a chance. Carry it concealed? Only in their dreams.

I don't know about everyone here, but I have the biggest smile on my face.

Is his name Bond? James Bond? Late of Her Majesty's Secret Service?

 

[NYlakesider]

If that's the case, does that mean there is no need for laws, law enforcement, or even government? If I'm responsible for my own security, why would I even call the cops? Just handle everything I perceive as a threat to my own security myself.

Individual responsibility for your own actions is all well and good; it's a commendable character trait, but it has to stop short of taking the law into one's hands. My buying a gun is taking responsibility for my own safety and security? And it guarantees my freedom? No, sorry, I disagree with that.



I'm pretty confident the British don't view themselves as "slaves to a crown". They actually began taking action back in the 1500s to limit the power of the monarchy, and they've pretty much been at it since then. If you know anything about the English system of government, you should know that the monarch really doesn't "rule". The current monarch is really just a ceremonial leader...she's the titular Head of State, but really is not allowed any true political power.

I'd go so far as to suggest that if someone were discussing the British political system with someone from England, and mentioned that they were considered to be some sort of "slave", that person might find himself flat on his back, staring glassy-eyed at the pretty white clouds floating by overhead.



I suppose so, but I doubt the young man bought the gun out of any noble desire to validate his freedom. He wanted a gun, hadn't been able to buy one before, so he bought it. I'm not reassured by everyone who buys a gun, though, no matter what reason they give for buying it. I cherish and place a high value on my own personal freedom, but I view maybe 90% of those freedoms as having nothing to do with my ability to walk into my favorite LGS tomorrow and buy any firearm I wish (which I just may do, by the way).

And please don't tell me that thing about all freedoms and all parts of the Constitution hinge on the Second Amendment. They don't.

All this is just my opinion, you understand. It isn't offered up as facts (except the part about the British monarchy). And this opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

The royal family is nothing more than a very highly overpaid Public Relations outfit. Their job is to bring in tourists with lots of money to that country.

In another post of mine I used the term subject of the queen which you objected to. Well that is just a metaphor, as the royals realy do not have that much political clout, but it still does not change the fact that the people are SUBJECTS! Over on this side of the pond we are citizens!

FWIW my mothers side of the family came here from England years before the Revolution. They were Tories and went to Canada during the unpleasantries.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I think the vast majority of US citizens view "the rest of the world" from the same distorted lens. Not much of a difference . . .

The biggest difference between the US and the rest of the world is that the rest of the world only know about the US from TV and the movies, which portray things as the “intuectual elite”, who predominate the industry, think. It gives the rest of the world a distorted view of the US.

 

[jag312]

Is his name Bond? James Bond? Late of Her Majesty's Secret Service?

No. Just an ordinary Anglo-Saxon name. Now just an ordinary Texan name.