rifleman

Part of the problem in the UK is caused by the deliberate conflation of the terms "refugee" and "immigrant". Immigrants, including those Brits currently living and working in Spain (particularly Benidorm) generally move legally to the foreign country, often having a job waiting for them when they arrive (eg: Chinese workers arriving in the US to work in laundries and Chinese restaurants). Refugees on the other hand are defined as "someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries." The vast majority of people attempting to reach the UK are people displaced by UK aided military action in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen. If we insist on exporting weapons to known human rights abusing regimes, we shouldn't complain about importing the end product - refugees.

That's the cheap, substandard speech to text translation subtitling software that the BBC are using nowadays. The frog faced git in the glasses actually said "that man".

Maybe socialism is not the right term. How do you define a government that seeks to diminish the protection of its citizens? How do you define a government that takes away your right to do business according to personal philosophy? How do you define a government that seeks to reduce your right to personal property ownership? How do you define a government that seeks to reduce your sense of security by giving the same rights to illegal invaders that you believe are in place for your own peace and welfare? How do you define a government that seeks to legislate for personal gain instead of the greater good? How do you define a government that sacrifices the most innocent of its population? A socialist government seeks to protect the majority of its citizens by ensuring that big business (Amazon, Starbucks etc.) pays its fair share for the social infrastructure that it uses. It employs people who have been educated at the public expense, it uses roads and airports paid for from the public purse and it enjoys the protection of law enforcement agencies, again, funded by the tax-paying public. Its employees have no choice but to pay taxes as they're deducted from the employee's pay check before it reaches the employee's bank account. Big companies utilise smoke and mirrors to move their profits around, in and out of tax havens, to avoid paying their fair share. At the same time these big companies refuse to pay their employees a living wage forcing many of them to claim for Social Security, Housing and Food Stamps, all while declaring record profits which are paid as dividends to their shareholders. Taxpayers are paying for those benefits which, while supporting low paid employees, are actually topping up the profits of those corporations. As a taxpayer, you're paying for Jeff Bezos to buy himself a new yacht and the US government will see only a fraction of the tax that he and Amazon should be paying. A socialist government tries to protect its citizens by ensuring that there is medical cover available to all members of the community, not just those who can afford it. It tries to ensure that people don't go bankrupt as a result of being sick or that someone with a treatable cancer doesn't choose to refuse treatment because they don't want to financially burden their family with the cost of that treatment. The situation is like this - Trump (the embodiment of big business), a taxpayer and an immigrant sit down at a table with 20 cookies on it. Trump snatches 19 of them then turns to the taxpayer and says, "watch out for the immigrant. He wants to steal your cookie." By focussing your attention on refugees, Muslims etc. Trump is diverting your attention from the fact that he and his tax avoiding friends are screwing the taxpayers for every penny that they can take. They're like Kaa the snake in Disney's Jungle Book, whispering "Trust in me!", hypnotising people into following them blindly off a cliff. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Still winning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ5e5uOgpK4&ab_channel=Hotels.comEurope Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Sussex police have now admitted that some of the sightings reported to them may have been the drone deployed by the police to search for the offenders. https://www.itv.com/news/2018-12-29/some-gatwick-drone-sightings-may-have-been-police-device-officer-admits/ Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

We've had the opt out System in Wales since 2015 and it's slowly starting to increase the number of donor organs available. In addition to the change in the law there's also a regular, ongoing advertising campaign encouraging people to discuss their wishes with their friends and relatives. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

I don't personally think that it's that nutty an idea. Giving food stamps, housing support and medicaid to low paid employees rather than introducing legislation to make employers pay a liveable wage is just pouring money into the pockets of the shareholders. Taxpayers are subsidising the profits of Bezos et al, just because governments aren't making them pay their workers properly. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

I'm 50 and, to be honest, I never gave much thought to dying, even when I was a serving soldier. We're born, we die. It's part of the natural cycle. Many years ago, I was given some sage advice: Plan your life as though you'll live forever, live your life as though you'll die tomorrow. If you have more than you need, build a bigger table not a higher wall. Try to perform one act of random kindness every day. “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride!" - Hunter S Thompson Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

According to the Guardian, Trump is pushing for the US to leave the WTO and create the US Fair And Reciprocal Tariffs (FART) act which would allow Trump to impose tariffs without Congressional oversight. Thoughts? https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/02/trump-fart-act-report-blows-through-washington?CMP=fb_gu Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Here in the UK, as part of the application process for a firearms licence, you are required to consent to having a medical. The written consent for this also includes a mandatory reporting clause that states that you understand and are giving permission for your doctor to inform the police if you are diagnosed with any psychiatric, mental health or physical condition which would affect your fitness to possess a firearm. But that still only applies to a gun that you get legally. Most people who do these mass shootings don't seem to plan on surviving it anyway so what's one more theft? The problem is that, in the UK, you need a valid firearms certificate to purchase anything firearms related - ammunition, reloading components, firearms and all sales are recorded. The certificate also lists what firearms you own and their serial numbers as well. Buy or sell a weapon and you have to report it, have the certificate amended and give the police the FAC number and details of the purchaser. Because of two events, Dunblane and Hungerford, we have quite severe restrictions on what we can shoot - no handguns (unless they have a 12" barrel and a permanently attached counterweight), shotguns restricted to a maximum of 3 rounds (2 in the magazine, 1 in the breech), no semi-automatic rifles (unless chambered for .22LR) and no restrictions on bolt-action rifles. You also have to have "good cause" to possess said firearms which is usually membership of a shooting club (usually at least 6 months before you apply for the FAC). Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Here in the UK, as part of the application process for a firearms licence, you are required to consent to having a medical. The written consent for this also includes a mandatory reporting clause that states that you understand and are giving permission for your doctor to inform the police if you are diagnosed with any psychiatric, mental health or physical condition which would affect your fitness to possess a firearm. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Is that the only one? I was like 11 or 12 and not all that connected to the news at the time. There probably were others but that particular one made the headlines mainly because it became the theme of a song by the Boomtown Rats and partly because of the throwaway answer given to a journalist by the shooter. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Do you mean apart from the Cleveland Elementary School Shooting, San Diego in 1979? Two adults (the principal and custodian) dead, 8 children and one LEO wounded. The reason? "I don't like Mondays." Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Can't answer. No option for Socialist which is not the same as Liberal (although certain people on here happily conflate the two). Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

All bar two of those are bolt action hunter/sniper rifles and even with the best will in the world you can't fire a boltie with anywhere near the same speed as a semi-auto. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

You might find this BBC documentary interesting: https://vimeo.com/106758421 Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

A bit like this? Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

In the highly unlikely event that I ever feel the need of a firearm for home defense, it will be a 12 gauge shotgun. Couldn't agree more. You don't have to aim particularly accurately, there's less chance of ammunition overpenetrating and, in the case of a pump action, just the sound of racking the slide attracts people's undivided attention. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

In the UK you are required to supply two referees for a firearms application (only 1 for a shotgun) but there are rules as to who may act as a referee. "The referee(s) who have agreed to act for you must have known you personally for at least two years and must be resident in Great Britain. A referee must not be a member of your immediate family, a registered firearms dealer, a serving police officer, a police employee, a Police and Crime Commissioner or a member of their staff, or a member of, or a member of staff of, the Scottish Police Authority. Referees must be of good character and any references they agree to provide must be given freely and not on payment." Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Below is a link to an ad campaign that's currently running in the UK. It's being supported by Lloyds Bank and looks to help end the stigma attached to talking about mental health. https://www.marketingweek.com/2018/02/01/lloyds-winning-c4-diversity-campaign-stigma-mental-health/ Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

This is just a quick thought that came to me last night. How much do you think the lack of of Universal Healthcare contributes to the mass shooting epidemic? Here in the UK, if I feel as though things are getting on top of me, I can go to the local doctor's surgery, make a self referral to the local mental health team, see a doctor and get a diagnosis/medication if required. While I'm waiting for an appointment with the local mental health team, I can still access the doctor's and the mental health drop-in centre run by a local charity. The point being that because I don't have to pay to see my doctor/mental health professionals I'm more likely to seek help for any perceived problems long before they become destructive Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Further to the insanity of teachers carrying guns, now Iowa allows the legally blind to have a carry permit: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/08/iowa-grants-gun-permits-to-the-blind/2780303/ I have nothing against blind people shooting on a range under the supervision of a range officer but a carry permit? Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Last night I received a PM from a member on here under the title "UK Gun Laws" which posed the question: "What stops someone that has met the same requirements you have from going out and shooting people in the UK?" This caused me to go away and have a long think about it and this post is the result. Here in the UK we had two mass shootings which attracted widespread public and media attention. The first in Hungerford in 1987, left 16 dead (including a police officer) and 15 wounded survivors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungerford_massacre The second, in 1996, took place in a school in Dunblane where the asssailant shot and killed 16 children and one teacher before killing himself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane_massacre The result of these two shootings and the subsequent legislation meant that a shooter in the UK had restrictions placed on the weapons available to them. Shotguns - any calibre, any action but limited to a maximum of three rounds (1 breech, 2 magazine) Pistols - banned unless they were permanently converted to long barrel and fixed shoulder stock/wrist brace/counterweight with proof house certificate. Semi-automatic rifles - Basically, to paraphrase Henry Ford, "You can have any type of SAR you like (H&K MP5, HK416, AR-15, Uzi) etc so long as it's chambered for .22LR rimfire ammunition." Bolt action rifles - Any calibre, up to and including .50 calibre, providing you have access to an approved range capable of handling it and around £2,300 for the rifle. After market supressors are legal and in some cases desirable. In order to acquire a licence to purchase firearms and ammunition you firstly have demonstrate good reason to possess said firearms (self-defence is not considered good reason in the UK) and in most cases this is shown by joining a multi-discipline shooting club. You have to pay club membership and undergo training with an instructor (Mine is currently £225 pa + range fees). Once the range staff are happy that you're a regular and safe shooter, they will assist you in applying for a firearms/shotgun certificate (FAC). The local firearms officer will visit by appointment and check that the required security for any firearms is properly installed. When you submit your application to the local police force you MUST declare any criminal convictions or official police cautions including speeding offences. You are required to give the names, addresses and details of referees who will give a statement and attest to your suitability to possess firearms (you require one referee for a shotgun or two for firearms) and there are restrictions on who these referees can be. There is a list of notifiable medical conditions in the notes attached to the application form, which include: •Acute Stress Reaction or an acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma •Suicidal thoughts or self harm •Depression or anxiety •Dementia •Mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness •A personality disorder •A neurological condition: for example, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s or Huntington’sdiseases, or epilepsy •Alcohol or drug abuse •Any other mental or physical condition which might affect your safe possession of a firearm or shotgun You also sign a statement giving permission for the police to contact your doctor/specialist and allow the doctor to disclose your medical history. You are required to give details of any practice that you have been registered with in the preceding 10 years. In the event of a successful application the doctor is instructed to place a coded marker on your medical file to the effect that the police must be notified if you are diagnosed with any condition listed in the notes allowing the police to re-examine their decision to issue a FAC. About 8 years ago, I was diagnosed as having clinical depression caused by PTSD. My doctor contacted the police and so did I, with the result that I voluntarily transferred my weapons to my parent's address (240 miles away) as a temporary addition to their FAC while I received treatment. Two years of treatment followed by another two years off medication and with no relapses meant that I was able to go and collect my guns from my parents. When your certificate has been awarded, any purchases of firearms and ammunition will be logged by the firearms dealer and notified to the police. The FAC holder is also required to tell the police when he acquires a new firearm giving them details as to make, type, calibre and serial number. Disposals are also required to be notified to the police. The seller must inform the police of the details of the firearm and the details of the buyer (either their FAC details or their registered firearms dealer [RFD] number). FAC's have the holder's photograph printed on them. You are also required as part of the application process to indicate the average amount of ammunition you will hold at your home address - the police understand that the amount may fluctuate depending on purchases and usage. I currently hold an average of 200 rounds of .22LR and .308 plus 50 shotgun cartidges. I have extra in storage at the range but I keep a small amount to hand in case I go out for rabbit or pigeon. In answer to the original question, other than the fact that the process itself is time consuming (It took me nearly 6 months to get my first firearm) and expensive, there isn't anything to prevent someone from going on a shooting spree. The fact that we can't wander into somewhere like Walmart and purchase a centrefire AR-15 with just a driving licence is the price that UK shooters pay for the insanity of two lunatics. It means that we tend to view the ownership of firearms as a privilege, not a god-given right and we fully understand that the privilege we have may be removed from us at any time. We understand that if another mass shooting were to happen then we might face further restrictions on the types of firearms we can own and we're prepared to negotiate and state our case if it occurs. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

Yes - if you make an alteration to the weapon after purchase that affects the forensic characteristics of a fired round then you have to resubmit. Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation

This is just a hypothetical as being a UK gun owner I already have to comply with a vast proportion of that list. As part of 5a, would it be worth asking the manufacturer to submit two fired rounds and cases for a forensic database with mandatory resubmission after changing the barrel and/or working parts (breech block, extractor claw etc.) Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organisation