>>92
Hope you two don't mind if I jump into the discussion. While I'm at it, here's a few fact sheets and documents to consider:
http://www.gunfacts.info/pdfs/gun-facts/4.1/GunFacts4-1-Print.pdf
http://www.gunowners.org/fs0404.htm
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/Articles/Read.aspx?id=209
"You go on about tyranny and rebellion and I chose not to respond to that out of politeness and respect for our cultural differences. I understand that "defense from tyranny" is a valid argument in America but it isn't in the rest of the civilized world."
Why is defense against tyranny an invalid argument in 'the rest of the civilized world'?
"I actually have answers, my answer is: restrict gun ownership. You will enjoy less crime in general and more importantly a lower murder rate."
States with lax gun control laws, such as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Alaska have some of the lowest crime rates in Alaska. Vermont is one of the few states in America that lets you carry concealed firearms without a permit, and they have been nominated as the safest state in the nation for years on end. Conversely, the areas of the United States that have high crime and murder rates, such as Washington D.C., have stringent gun control laws enacted. States that have enacted right to carry laws have enjoyed massive reductions of crime following the enactment of such laws. Kennesaw GA enacted a law MANDATING that the head of household maintain a firearm and some ammunition. Subsequently, the residential burglary rate fell by 89%. The rate for the state of Georgia as a whole dropped by around 10%. Ten years after the passing of the law, the crime rate was still 72% lower than it was before the area had passed the mandatory gun ownership law. Following the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban that was enacted back in the 90's, the crime rate actually fell 3.6 percent. So to all appearances, what we need is to encourage responsible gun ownership.
"Criminals won't be able to get hold of guns as evidenced by the fact that in no country with restricted gun ownership is gun crime rampant."
In England, a handgun ban was emplaced. Subsequently, the use of handguns to commit crimes went up 40%.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1440764.stm
Crimes with guns have soared in numerous UK cities.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/712807/posts
Crimes with guns have increased dramatically in Australia as well following the enactment of their own gun control measures:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=15304
http://www.sightm1911.com/docs/guncrimesoars.htm
Also, with the banning of many of these firearms, as you will see in the articles, this creates a black market wherein criminals can then get their guns. Criminals don't obey gun control laws. If you pass a law disarming everyone, the lawful will obey and the criminals will not. The result is that the law-abiding are disarmed, and the criminals are free to run rampant without the fear of getting shot when they break into someone's house at night, thanks to the fact that they know that the person is legally disarmed. Gun control = victim disarmament.
"When there are no guns on the market obtaining one is a hassle."
Washington D.C. has had stringent gun control laws, and they have a burgeoning black market for firearms. The United Kingdom has banned guns, and even though they are an island nation, they now have a burgeoning black market for firearms. Australia has banned guns, and they too have a burgeoning black market for firearms. Criminals don't care what gun control laws you pass since they don't obtain their guns legally to begin with.