AK-47's
 

After I read an article in today's Daily Sun about an 18 year old boy accidently shooting a friend with an AK-47 (pointed the gun at the friend and pulled the trigger), I Googled to see if owning an AK-47 was legal in Florida.

It is legal to own a semi-automatic AK-47 if you are at least 18 years old.

Amazing, but llegal.

What do you see as the answer? If they ban guns, then only the bad guys will have them. I don't have a gun but I might change my mind.

There are many variations of the so called AK-47. Most people think of the menacing picture of a carbine with a curved ammunition magazine. There are variants made in many countries.

I have seen SKS versions that you could hardly distinguish from a hunting rifle, and in fact have seen one used for deer hunting.

The problem is not the weapon. The problem is the idiot who pointed it at another person and pulled the trigger.

We lived in Mississippi when our son was a sophomore in high school. He was REQUIRED to take a gun safety and hunting safety course by his school because of the number of kids who went hunting with their dads. He is now approaching 40 and is completely comfortable and safe with guns.

Now where did you hear that?

I am trying to think where I first heard it. My husband who does not have a gun says it.

You know I admire you Bogie Shooter and your straightforward attitude but I would like to take the opportunity to point out that I watch all three of the big news stations and I speak frequently to our granddaughter who is an executive producer of local evening news in a not small American city.

AND...

I am told I am not as dumb as I look, Bogie.

No where did I mention or suggest banning guns. If someone wants to legally own or legally carry, it is their right to do so.

What is the answer? Have the "smarts" not to point guns at friends, not to have unsecured guns around children, not to have a gun by your bed where you may hear a noise at night and accidentally shoot a family member, or not to take gun safety and shooting classes from a reputable instructor before geting a gun.

Well I see nothing to argue about here. You are right. I don't want a gun. I am depending on my neighbors to protect me. I would guess that well over half have guns here. What is your guess?

Oh boy, here we go.

A can of wasp spray or the remote for your car with a panic button are better to keep by your bed than a gun. A billy club in a good idea for after the wasp spray. I said this before and I'll say it again. You are most vulnerable in your bedroom so fortify your bedroom door.

Do we really need to worry here, no but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

I believe your estimate is low. And hope your neighbors will take care of you. I would!

Whoa.........
I said nothing about what news stations you watch.
I did not say you were dumb.
Why the attack?

Sorry. I thought I was in political.

"It is legal to own a semi-automatic AK-47 if you are at least 18 years old.

Amazing, but llegal."

I don't find it amazing that a person who can use and automatic weapon serving in the armed forces at age 17(w/parents permission)can buy a semi-auto anything...what's amazing is how many stupid people are still around...

Owning a gun is one thing. Owning a sem-automatic that can easily be converted to fully automatic is another. I really don't understand why these weapons are not banned, except for our police officers and military. Ditto the dum-dum bullets and their ilk. Yes, some criminals will have these weapons but there is no logic in my mind that wants these type of weapons in the hands of whomever wants them. I also firmly believe that anyone who owns a handgun, rifle or shotgun should take a comprehensive course in gun safety, be required to practice at a range at least every three months and take a refresher safety course every year.

Quite often they are their own worst enemies, and remove themselves from the gene pool. Darwin strikes again.

lets remember that all guns are banned in Great Britain and even policemen do not carry. Permits for hunting are hard to obtain. So the notion put forth that only bad guys or gals with have them when guns are banned is not proven. but I am resigned to know that this not-so-great country will never ban guns

Given the amount of guns out there, it's a good idea for all children to take the gun safety course. That way, should they come into contact with one, they won't be so curious and will know how to be more responsible.

I don't know why you believe we aren't so great a country, and I really don't care to know the reason. Perhaps you are from another country originally. The United States is not just a great country, it is an exceptional country. The second amendment, in my opinion, is one of those things that has been a factor in differentiating our country from run of the mill dictatorships, kingdoms, and failed social experiments.

Perhaps you've forgotten that every household in Switzerland has a weapon provided by the government. Your bobbies are becoming more armed every day, even including automatic weapons, to deal with the mess they now have on their hands.

If you are really ashamed of this country I don't know what to say. We are a free country, though, and you have choices.

[QUOTE=dbussone;1007090]

Perhaps you've forgotten that every household in Switzerland has a weapon provided by the government. /QUOTE]

Not really true. Swiss men are issued a weapon when they enter military service and the rifle is kept at their house. After completion in the military, they have the option of keeping or turning in the rifle.

Approximately 45 percent of Swiss homes have weapons. It is quite difficult to get a carry permit there.

Google it for the full story.

AK-47's
 

If all Swiss men are conscripted into the army, then every household has, or has had a weapon. Even at a retention rate of 45% they represent a formidable force. I don't believe everything I see or read on the Internet, even if Google says it. thank you for the correction.

How many of the Swiss have an army knife?

It may be legal and that's ok with me. That being said, I don't care what gun it is: AK-47 or derringer, NEVER point it at anyone....period. That is the first rule that everyone should know even if they do not own a gun themselves or may be just looking at one while it is in their hands.

We both had concealed carry permits through Texas when we traveled a lot, and my dad taught me about guns when I was a kid. He was not a hunter, but did have a couple of guns.

After seeing the following statistic my guess is that 60% of the households in the villages have a gun. And now I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to anyone I may have ever offended.

This is from wikipedia.
List of countries by number of guns per capita[edit]

Country Guns per 100



Rank
(2014) Notes

country guns per hundred rank
United States 90.0 1
Serbia 58.2 2
Yemen 54.8 3
Switzerland 45.7 4
Cyprus 36.1 5
Saudi Arabia 35 6
Iraq 34.2 7
Uruguay 31.8 8
Sweden 31.6 9
Norway 31.3 10
France 31.2 11
Canada 30.8 12
Austria 30.4 13
Germany 30.3 14
Iceland 30.3 15
Finland 29.1 16 34.2[6][7]
Oman 25.5 17
Bahrain 24.8 18
Kuwait 24.8 18
Republic of Macedonia 24.1 20
Montenegro 23.1 21
New Zealand 22.6 22 Small firearms not permitted to general public. 26.8[2]
Greece 22.5 23
United Arab Emirates 22.1 24
Northern Ireland 21.9 25
Croatia 21.7 26
Panama 21.7 26
Lebanon 21 28
Equatorial Guinea 19.9 29
Qatar 19.2 31
Latvia 19 32
Peru 18.8 33
Angola 17.3 34
Bosnia and Herzegovina 17.3 34
Belgium 17.2 36
Paraguay 17 37
Czech Republic 16.3 38
Thailand 15.6 39
Libya 15.5 40
Luxembourg 15.3 41
Australia 15 42
Mexico 15 42
Mauritius 14.7 44
Guyana 14.6 45
Gabon 14 46
Slovenia 13.5 47
Suriname 13.4 48
Guatemala 13.1 49
South Africa 12.7 50
Namibia 12.6 51
Armenia 12.5 52
Turkey 12.5 52
Denmark 12 54
Italy 11.9 55
Malta 11.9 55
Pakistan 11.6 57
Jordan 11.5 58
Chile 10.7 59
Venezuela 10.7 59
Spain 10.4 61
Argentina 10.2 62
Belize 10 63
Costa Rica 9.9 64
Estonia 9.2 65
Somalia 9.1 66
Transnistria 9.1 66
Russia 8.9 68
Zambia 8.9 68
Albania 8.6 70
Ireland 8.6 70
Portugal 8.5 72
Slovakia 8.3 73
Jamaica 8.1 74
Brazil 8 75
Barbados 7.8 76
Nicaragua 7.7 77
Algeria 7.6 78
Belarus 7.3 79
Georgia 7.3 79
Iran 7.3 79
Israel 7.3 79
Moldova 7.1 83
Ukraine 6.6 84
Maldives 6.5 85
Kenya 6.4 86
Swaziland 6.4 86
Bulgaria 6.2 88
EnglandWales England and Wales 6.2 88
Honduras 6.2 88
Colombia 5.9 91
El Salvador 5.8 92
Hungary 5.5 93
Scotland 5.5 93
Sudan 5.5 93 Includes South Sudan
Cape Verde 5.4 96
Seychelles 5.4 96
Bahamas 5.3 98
Dominican Republic 5.1 99
Mozambique 5.1 99
Morocco 5 101
Botswana 4.9 102
China 4.9 102
Cuba 4.8 104
Philippines 4.7 105
Afghanistan 4.6 106
Taiwan 4.6 106
Zimbabwe 4.6 106
Cambodia 4.3 109
India 4.2 110
Burma 4 111
Netherlands 3.9 112
Syria 3.9 112
Turkmenistan 3.8 114
Azerbaijan 3.5 115
Egypt 3.5 115
Bhutan 3.5 115
Palestine 3.4 118
Bolivia 2.8 119
Cameroon 2.8 119
Djibouti 2.8 119
Congo 2.7 122
Lesotho 2.7 122
Ivory Coast 2.4 124
Senegal 2 125
Mongolia 1.9 126
Comoros 1.8 127
Vietnam 1.7 128
Guinea-Bissau 1.6 129
Liberia 1.6 129
Mauritania 1.6 129
Trinidad and Tobago 1.6 129
Malaysia 1.5 133
Nigeria 1.5 133
Sri Lanka 1.5 133
Uzbekistan 1.5 133
Benin 1.4 137
Brunei 1.4 137
Democratic Republic of the Congo 1.4 137
Tanzania 1.4 137
Uganda 1.4 137
Ecuador 1.3 142
Kazakhstan 1.3 142
Poland 1.3 142
Burundi 1.2 145
Laos 1.2 145
Guinea 1.2 145
Papua New Guinea 1.2 145
Burkina Faso 1.1 149
Chad 1.1 149
South Korea 1.1 149
Mali 1.1 149
Central African Republic 1 153
Tajikistan 1 153
Togo 1 153
Kyrgyzstan .9 156
Gambia .8 157
Madagascar .8 157
Nepal .8 157
Lithuania .7 160
Malawi .7 160
***** .7 160
Romania .7 160
Haiti .6 164
Japan .6 164
North Korea .6 164
Rwanda .6 164
Sierra Leone .6 164
Bangladesh .5 169
Eritrea .5 169
Fiji .5 169
Indonesia .5 169
Singapore .5 169
Ethiopia .4 174
Ghana .4 174
Solomon Islands .4 174
Timor-Leste .3 177
Tunisia .1 178

Hey Cathy H.....how about enlightening us why you make such a statement.....you certainly must know that you were waving a red flag in the face of the rest of us who think you are abso:censored:lutely wrong!

Tomwed - you are forgiven. Just don't do it again.

Good one!:clap2:

I thought that Sandtrap once again brought up the issue of guns. That is what I thought and that we were discussing guns.

I will say again, that never in my life until I moved here did I know anyone who had guns who didn't hunt. I was very troubled about this for awhile and then decided when we had that rash of break-ins a while back that I was glad my neighbors were armed and that they made it clear they were armed. Maybe the bad guys won't prey on this Senior community.

Absolutely right, as usual, Gracie.
However, an AK-47 is a very unwieldy weapon for home defense. Most would pick a pistol instead of a bulky weapon such like the AK-47. The AK would be more likely to be taken away by an intruder and turned on the owner than a pistol, too. (how many Wyatt Earps are going to say they would shoot first and ask questions later?)

Do not forget that if your home was robbed and the robber was running down your driveway, and you shoot him/her (equal opportunity!), you are going to be the liable person as you were not in immediate danger at that point. That will be something taught in your gun safety class.

A civilian version of an AK 47 is no more dangerous than any other rifle of similar caliber, same hold true for AR 15s. So first and foremost all firearms need to be secured, I own several guns and none of them have ever jumped out of my gun safe and fired a shot at anyone or any thing.

I pity you and your family if your only defense is a can of wasp spray, a car remote and billy club. Even Mace is shown to be ineffective against many, especially on drugs where they eyes water and disperse the spray. A car remote triggering an alarm? This is so common to hear that no one pays attention to and is worthless. By the time the police are called and arrive they can only write a report describing the crime scene. We can't rely on others to protect our home and family for us and must take it upon ourselves to learn and train how to do that. It's not hard, just got to realize that help isn't going to come in the nick of time like in the movies.

Yes, but the problem is when they remove some innocent bystander from the pool along with themselves.

AK-47's
 

I agree with you. That IS a problem. A gun safety course before acquiring a gun should be required. I had to take such a course before I bought my first shotgun in MA some 40 years ago.

That would be a good requirement and a step forward without endangering gun owners' rights.

AK-47's
 

In every state I've lived in (MA, TN, MS, FL, NV, NC, GA) such a course is mandatory as part of qualifying for a concealed carry permit. However that is not necessarily the case for purchasing a gun.

There are 90 guns for every 100 Americans.
How many courses would we need so everyone safely knows how to handle a gun?
There are 320 million Americans.
How many students will be in each class?
Will the courses be free?
Will the teachers be paid?
Will the students be required to read past the third grade level?
Will the classes be bi-lingual?
Will the states pick up the tab or the federal government?
Who will manage the student records?

AK-47's
 

Tom - my son took a class that was mandatory for all male sophomores in high school. There were probably 100 males in that sophomore class. I had to pay for his participation - and it was mandatory for him to take. He received a certificate upon completion that he has retained (and he is 39).

My solution for the bilingual issue will not be popular. "If you are here, we're an English language speaking country. Your language is great as a secondary language. Learn English or leave." That was my Italian grandmother's philosophy and it's good enough for me.

My guess would be that fewer than 50% of the population owns the majority of guns, so that decreases your educational needs significantly. As far as new sales go, make sure a new purchaser has either a concealed weapon permit or a certificate proving that a gun safety course has been taken.

It's only 160 million people or less who need training minus any schools that have been training all along.
Anyone who doesn't speak English is exempt or is required to learn English before attending class and someone will be hired to enforce the rule.
All my great grandparents came through Ellis Island. By the time my grand parents came along they were assimilated too. It's very common where I came from. We lived close to Ellis Island.
I'm a retired teacher. When I started teaching we had drivers Ed and many shop, music and art classes that had to be dropped as budgets got voted down. Guess who voted them down?

If you are suggesting the NRA, please note I am an Endowment Life Member. I don't always do what it is suggested I do and I stick by my comments.

Actually in Florida (I do not know about other states) the training, safety, and proficency tests are NOT needed by any veteran (served at any time) and has a DD214 showing an honorable discharge.

Don't forget that many of the veterans here are Vietnam Era, Korean Era, and some WWII vets. Many have not picked up a handgun since being discharged which could be over 70 years ago! All of these veterans remember all their gun safety and could pass a proficency test? Does't matter - pay for processing and fingerprinting and you got your concealed carry permit - no waiting period for buying a gun, either.

I would accept the training of a military veteran over civilian firearm training any day. Did you really mean what you just posted?

Yes. Which part are you referring? If a veteran had a Marksman medal with an M-1 in 1952, had not picked up a gun since 1955, has an Honorable Discharge, he can pay fingerprint and processing fee (around $125) and get the Concealed Carry permit.

I would rather see everyone take the gun safety course (paid for by themself) and shooting proficiency test before getting a Carry permit and gun. Perhaps the gun safety course and shooting test will be done by certified NRA instructors but would be certified under any conditions.

If I had the choice of letting the Korean War Vet (described above) or a 30 year old who just had the course and proficiency test get a permit - it would be the young person.