Friday, December 29, 2006
"Where getting more like America every day"
The above quote comes from a section of comments about an armed robbery in York. I can't believe it myself as apparently a handgun was used in the attack, but haven't these been banned by the benevolent government? You know: "... if it saves the life of one child it'll be worth it ..." ad nauseam.
Anyway clearly no one told the criminals about the handgun ban and now they've used one to commit a crime. Back to the (in the main) appalling comments if the person is referring to spelling and grammar then they might be correct as I suspect they actually want to say: "we're" as opposed to "where". Never mind, just another product of our "envy of the world" education system.
One commentator gives some information missing from the story: "Police turned up in response to panic alarm at 8pm, were more interested in two youths on a moped and left again leaving staff locked inside with robbers! Obviously they left these details out of the press release." Thus summing up the effectiveness of the modern British police. To return to the original comment, the person has missed one very significant difference in that in America, the shopkeeper might well be legally armed, in which case they'll be in a far better position to defend themselves and their property, leaving the police free to deal with important issues such as mopeds.
Another commentator has the right idea, but seems rather short on practicality: "Arm shopkeepers and let them shoot robbers provided it is all on CCTV showing an honest shot!" Yes all very well and good, but what if the CCTV happens to be pointing elsewhere, or is obscured at the time of shooting? You can hardly ask the robber to kindly step into focus "just so I can have a legal shot for the camera sir". So I say allow the shopkeepers (and householders) to arm themseleves and protect them legally with a "castle doctrine". "If it saves the life or property of just one shopkeeper or householder it'll be worth it"
So no I'm afraid we're not getting more like America every day, but I live in hope, with proper application and determination, we might one day get there.
Anyway clearly no one told the criminals about the handgun ban and now they've used one to commit a crime. Back to the (in the main) appalling comments if the person is referring to spelling and grammar then they might be correct as I suspect they actually want to say: "we're" as opposed to "where". Never mind, just another product of our "envy of the world" education system.
One commentator gives some information missing from the story: "Police turned up in response to panic alarm at 8pm, were more interested in two youths on a moped and left again leaving staff locked inside with robbers! Obviously they left these details out of the press release." Thus summing up the effectiveness of the modern British police. To return to the original comment, the person has missed one very significant difference in that in America, the shopkeeper might well be legally armed, in which case they'll be in a far better position to defend themselves and their property, leaving the police free to deal with important issues such as mopeds.
Another commentator has the right idea, but seems rather short on practicality: "Arm shopkeepers and let them shoot robbers provided it is all on CCTV showing an honest shot!" Yes all very well and good, but what if the CCTV happens to be pointing elsewhere, or is obscured at the time of shooting? You can hardly ask the robber to kindly step into focus "just so I can have a legal shot for the camera sir". So I say allow the shopkeepers (and householders) to arm themseleves and protect them legally with a "castle doctrine". "If it saves the life or property of just one shopkeeper or householder it'll be worth it"
So no I'm afraid we're not getting more like America every day, but I live in hope, with proper application and determination, we might one day get there.
Tags: guns, armed citizenry, crime
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.
Labels: armed citizenry, Crime, guns
