You may continue to keep your head in the sand Is Mise, however the majority of perpetrators of gun crimes and accidents are from licensed gunowners.

The death rate for thosed assaulted by guns is several that of victims assaulted by knives or other weapons.

Those shooters whose guns have been used by others, resulting in death and injury, should be heavily prosecuted.

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:Gpe7LairtFIJ:www.shootersparty.org.au/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_smf%26Itemid%3D50%26topic%3D325.msg2163%3Btopicseen+firearm+suicides+gun+licensed&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=au&lr=lang_en

Is Mise, could you in fact be Bob Green, hmmmmm? Your lack of rationale is very similar.

Listen hear guys, if it was up to me, I would bl**dy well get rid of anything resembling a gun.
One doesn't stand a chance when fired upon and luck always plays a hand in whether you are are hit with a kill or maim shot, it makes holes in people for crying out loud, some holes big enough to fit a fist in, not to mention what the exit hole looks like!

If it wasn't for guns, many of our youngsters would be alive today, many having been wiped out before the age of four, due to some airheaded parent not putting the gun in some place safe and not unloading the gun and putting the bullets someplace else, so some toddler can't cock and load the gun himself, it's happened, it's still happening and will continue to happen unless adults who own them, get responsible, especially if children are around.

The age limit you speak of is ridiculous, what eighteen year old knows the meaning of reponsibilty? especially with a gun!
For crying in a bucket, a teenager+gun = big sh!t.

True Spanky,

There are many 18 year olds who don't know the meaning of responsibility.
It is up to the more mature members of society to teach them to be responsible and to teach them safety in all things.

No doubt many of them will vote Liberal/National Party at the next election as they are allowed to vote at that age.
They are also allowed to drink and purchase alcoholic beverages.

Do you oppose these things too?

They are also considered, in time of need, to be old enough to be given a fully automatic firearm and to fight for their country.
What do you consider the proper age to fight for Australia?

Dickie,

You should really think about hiding your gnorance on firearms, even I am starting to feel embarassed by some of your posts.

So shall we all agree to disagree?

I think that safety training in the use of firearms is a good thing and may well save some injuries or deaths in the future.

You seem to think that it is a bad thing and that ignorance is better and to let the future take care of itself.

Is Mise - I just thought I'd point out that this thread's been going for a while now, and the consensus opinion is clearly opposed to the provision of firearm 'safety training' to children - with the exception of you and one other poster, who subsequently qualified her support anyway.

Has it occurred to you that your views about firearms are are somewhat out of step with the rest of us?

Is Mise

My "ignorance" is gleaned from documented reports on the use of firearms. Those posts are generally excerpts written by those experienced in the history of firearm use. The "ignorant" are usually those who debate without any research.

My last five minute research revealed the following:

17/2/07 Armed robbery Sth Wales
23/2/07 Citizens threatened by armed gunman Baxenden UK
23/02/07 Armed holdup Sth London
23/02/07 Armed holdup Haydock UK
27/02/07 Armed gunman shot up shop window Liverpool UK
27/2/07 Gunshot fatality Bradford UK
26/2/07 Man received gunshot wounds to stomach and legs Sheffield UK
28/2/07 Armed holdup Hampshire UK
28/2/07 Armed holdup Hucknall UK
16/3/07 Man charged with brandishing firearm Katherine Aust.
16/7/07 Man charged with discharging firearm during argument Tennant Creek NT
27/8/07 Man shot in stomach and leg Coolaroo Nth Melbourne
29/8/07 3 men dead from gunshot wounds Hertfordshire UK
4/9/07 Vatican police cadet suicide - firearm

There are dozens of others current for this year alone.

"I think that safety training in the use of firearms is a good thing and may well save some injuries or deaths in the future."

Really? Are you sufficiently mature, Is Mise, to take some responsibility for promoting the use of WMD for children, resulting in injuries, deaths and misery?

I regret you are feeling embarrassed but then so you should!

As far as Roy Smith is concerned,... I'm not concerned!

When an eighteen year old is given a fire-arm, I hope it's when he joins the army, where he/she is taught how to handle one, there I have no problem, it's when we hear of deaths out of careless stupidity that tears my goats beard out.

14 Year olds? Guns? are these water pistols we talk about here or have I once again got this at the wrong end of the barrel?