ok, i'm not sure i want to get into a discussion about firearms, i'm sure that everyone else in here is much more knowledgeable on the subject than i am, but i am quite interested in the subject, and i'm also from the UK.

i think the thing that interests me most is "why?" what exactly are the reasons for wanting to own or carry weapons? as far as i can see; defence, either personal or home, and hunting, are the only reasons for owning firearms (just to clarify, i mean the only reasons from a survival perspective, i accept that people also own firearms for various forms of target shooting) whilst i'm not questioning the validity of the reasons behind anyone's choice to own or carry firearms i am curious as to how valid those reasons are in the UK.

so firstly, firearms for personal defence, this i've never understood. as far as i can see the only thing i'm protecting myself from is mugging, and as far as i'm concerned if anyone wants my wallet that badly then they can have it, nothing i carry on my person is worth someones life, neither mine nor anyone else's. i may be wrong.

secondly, home defence, again, what exactly is it that i'm supposed to be defending my home from? i accept that the situation may be very different in the US but here in the UK i'm not sure what i'm supposed to be protecting my house from, burglary? i don't know of anyone who's ever been burgled whilst they're in the house, and as far as i can see if anyone was burgling my house whilst i was in then as soon as they realised i was aware of their presence they'd be more likely to want to leave than take the risk of being confronted, maybe i'm wrong. a dog? wouldn't a dog be a satisfactory way of defending my house? defending my house in the event of a breakdown of society? a lot of people in here will dissagree with me, and think that i'm being naive, but a complete breakdown of society or teotwawki is just too far fetched and unlikely for me to take seriously, sorry if that offends anyone, it's not intended.

thirdly hunting, ok, this is the only area of firearms that i know a little bit about and it's a massive area for discussion, and i really don't want to get into arguments about suitability. i think the question of hunting weapons comes down to the same point as home defence, is there gonna be a break down of society that means i'm gonna have to hunt to feed myself? teotwawki? i don't think so.

i don't really know the reasons behind this post it's just my two pennies on a subject that i find fascinating. i'd love to hear peoples critisms of my thinking and maybe ofer me a few answers.

take it easy,
stuart.

p.s. just in case you were wondering i'm sitting firmly on the fence showing no sign of falling into either the pro or anti gun camp at present, and i can't really see me falling at any time soon.