Fosse the cops hear these excuses everyday. 1,624 road deaths in 2023, no where near America's total but still 1,624 too many. And the only way we've got that death toll down is by improving vehicles and educating people... please log in to view this image
They don't offer a Speed Awareness course to the real speed merchants - course instructor made that clear at the outset...
When you look at the UK's death toll, and then compare it to the American death toll, it really does highlight the problem the states has, just like Charlie Kirk said. The way to oppose CK would be to reduce those road deaths to UK levels, and you would have removed part of the argument.
I remember when I was at school, having to watch some horrific road deaths video, some campaign to get deaths down, by educating children lol, doubt they would show that film these days...at least we got to meet Barry Sheene.
The majority of people are in favour of stricter gun laws- but gun lobby is one of the largest. Right now, in my state, I could go buy a gun from a gun show without even showing any ID- without any waiting period. (if I buy from a sports store or gun shop, they run an FBI background check, but don't have to register that I bought a gun- but if I had any previous gun crimes, I'd buy from a gun show or private dealer to skip the check/any paperwork) . I then drive home with that gun, maybe fully loaded, with the safety off in my backseat next to my 5 year old child (perfectly legal if shotgun/rifle)- when I get home I can leave the gun fully loaded on my sofa (I don't need a gunsafe). If it is a handgun, I can carry it around concealed, without a permit or having any training. There's no registration I have a gun. I don't have to keep the gun locked up or secure. If the cops come to my door I don't even have to tell them I have a gun. If I shoot someone- there is no ballistics fingerprinting on my gun like they always reference in those cop shows. Now, I live in one of the most relaxed states. Many states- at least one of the things I said above is illegal (and in fact several of the things above would have been illegal here until a few years ago)- but what's to stop felons and people who can't legally own guns or face obstacles to buying in their own state coming to a state like mine and then taking a gun home to their state? You can argue for or against gun ownership- but the actual amendment says they're allowed under a "well-regulated-milita." In some states (like the backwards one I live in) there is barely any regulation at all... which the constitution doesn't say they can't allow unregulated gun sales it only says it can't ban a well regulated militia.
What does please me is seeing how effective the UK drive has been at reducing road deaths. It looks bad when you look at it on it's own, but seeing it alongside the American road death figures really does open your eyes.
This is what I mean. The almost unfettered access to a weapon. A weapon that is by design, intended to use to kill. I don’t agree with the comparison with deaths from driving and guns, primarily for this reason that one is deigned to kill and the other is designed as a mode of transport. But even if you do make the comparison, to own and drive a car, you have to take lessons, then a test, have a licence, be taxed, insured and as Fosse has found out, any minor infraction will see you having to take another test/course to address your failings. It seems very little if none of these checks and balances are offered to Gun ownership
Every state requires a drivers license, a test, so many hours of driving supervised with an experienced driver, background check. I can buy a gun without even showing my ID.
Statistically gun owners are also more likely to be shot. Few possible reasons. 1) You have a gun in your house that someone can use against you. 2) If you have a gun and draw it in anger, someone else is more likely to raise a gun in response than if you just yelled at each other. That said, living in the middle of nowhere and already having had a couple of encounters with some crazy people and slow police response time out here, I have at times wondered if I should get a shotgun... but point 2 above prevents me. I can see me relying on the gun, and someone else having a gun.
Could you imagine me on a bad day waking up with access to loads of guns in the house. please log in to view this image
When I was in Nevada last year I stopped at a Saloon/Truck stop overnight in my RV. The woman who was running the place was really hospitable and said I could park up wherever I wanted. I got chatting to her later in the evening as thanked her for her hospitality. She was telling me that I’d probably hear Coyotes in the night and that they were her protection when she went out walking her dog. The pack of coyotes had made a home there and were part tame She then went on to tell me that the coyotes were her protection because she wasn’t allowed to have a gun. I asked her why and she said ‘oh I’ve got a baaaad temper, and I mean real bad’ she continued ‘if I had a gun and I just met you here without you coming up to me and introducing yourself, I’d probably just shoot you right there. But it’s okay coz I like you’ I remember laying there in my bed that night thinking, what if she changes her mind
Do you get banned from owning a gun if you have a medical record of mental health issues, i assume you do, but don't actually know?
Thankfully I know I’d never be issued an licence lol There were 2,422 active firearm certificates(FACs) in County Durham as of March 2024, held by approximately 2,422 people, along with 5,234 active shotgun certificates. This equates to about 1,606 firearm certificates per 100,000 people in the county
