Clowns with guns

[taranaki]

Here's what happens when your country allows any moron who wants one to own a firearm.


21 Nov 2003 20:25:53 GMT
Texas man charged in death of whooping crane

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HOUSTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A Texas man faces up to a year in prison on federal charges after a game warden found a dead whooping crane, one of the world's rarest birds, in his possession, officials said on Friday.

The crane apparently was shot Nov. 14 at a lake near Dallas while making the birds' annual winter migration from Canada to Texas, U.S. Attorney Jane Boyle in Dallas said in a statement.

There are only about 200 of the white, 4-foot-tall (1.20 metre) cranes left in the wild, experts say. They winter at a Texas reserve after a 2,500-mile (4,000 km) flight from Canada.

Donald Jones, 48, will be arraigned Dec. 12 on charges he violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Boyle said. If convicted, punishment could be up to a year in prison and a$100,000 fine.

News reports said a game warden caught Jones with the dead crane, which is protected as an endangered species, and three ducks which had been shot out of season.

Jones told the Dallas Morning News the crane was shot by accident because of "misidentification."


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Misidentification, my arse! The fucking thing is 4 feet in length and pure white!What the hell did he think it was that he was shooting at?A flying refrigerator?Assclowns like this pillock do not deserve the right to own a gun.It's time that the bottom layer of the gun owning fraternity was removed.

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by taranaki

Here's what happens when your country allows any moron who wants one to own a firearm.

..----------------------------------------

Misidentification, my arse! The fucking thing is 4 feet in length and pure white!What the hell did he think it was that he was shooting at?A flying refrigerator?Assclowns like this pillock do not deserve the right to own a gun.It's time that the bottom layer of the gun owning fraternity was removed.

I still say that when you make guns illegal, only people who obey the laws will cease to own them. Obviously, this fellow does not obey the laws. Problem not solved.

[Oz]

Give me a gun. I'll mistake this guys identity for an upright walking kangaroo.

[taranaki]

Originally Posted by boingo82

I still say that when you make guns illegal, only people who obey the laws will cease to own them.

Aaaah,the old excuses are the best.............

Gun controls have been put in place in many civilised countries over the last century.I'd be obliged if you can demonstrate just ONE case where the rate of armed offending has increased after sensible legislation to reduce the availability of lethal weapons to morons and criminals was enacted.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by Oz

Give me a gun. I'll mistake this guys identity for an upright walking kangaroo.

Yeah, we all know what Aussies do to 'roos

[TexasF355F1]

I find that humorous, but only b/c of the "the straight arrow" episode on King of the Hill. But that is crazy shit.

[Cavallino]

Originally Posted by taranaki

Aaaah,the old excuses are the best.............

Gun controls have been put in place in many civilised countries over the last century.I'd be obliged if you can demonstrate just ONE case where the rate of armed offending has increased after sensible legislation to reduce the availability of lethal weapons to morons and criminals was enacted.

I haven't chexked into this so feel free to tell me Im wrong, but the UK has had gun control in effect for yonx and shootings are on the rise.

As for the bloke from Texas, what if he were just out hunting and shot the bird without knowing it was endangered? It could have been an honest mistake, and considering that he was from the south he might not even know what an endangered species is.

[Oz]

Originally Posted by Cavallino

I haven't chexked into this so feel free to tell me Im wrong, but the UK has had gun control in effect for yonx and shootings are on the rise.

As for the bloke from Texas, what if he were just out hunting and shot the bird without knowing it was endangered? It could have been an honest mistake, and considering that he was from the south he might not even know what an endangered species is.

Yes, you are wrong. UK shootings remain stable. And the sooner you Americans get over your prevailing national 'fear' mentality (I need a gun to protect myself. HOW ABOUT YOU AND ANYONE WHO MIGHT ATTACK/ROB YOU DOESN'T HAVE A FUCKING GUN LIKE EVERY OTHER COUNTRY??!?) the better the world will be.
[/rant]

[YogsVR4]

Today 95,000,000 other legal gun owners didn't do anything illegal with their guns. Forget the gun, some people don't deserve to be outside unsupervised.

Sorry Oz. I would prefer that the person attacking/robbing me doesn't have a gun and I do have one. Makes the situation a whole lot better for me.

[Oz]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Today 95,000,000 other legal gun owners didn't do anything illegal with their guns. Forget the gun, some people don't deserve to be outside unsupervised.

Sorry Oz. I would prefer that the person attacking/robbing me doesn't have a gun and I do have one. Makes the situation a whole lot better for me.

Feel free to continue proving my point.

[Cavallino]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Today 95,000,000 other legal gun owners didn't do anything illegal with their guns. Forget the gun, some people don't deserve to be outside unsupervised.

Sorry Oz. I would prefer that the person attacking/robbing me doesn't have a gun and I do have one. Makes the situation a whole lot better for me.

I would just let them go ahead and take what i had. You're more likely to be shot if you pull a gun out and if i did have a gun it would be the most valuable thing on me so whats the point? I could buy another wallet to sit empty in my pocket and eat another box of cornflakes for my watch.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by Oz

Feel free to continue proving my point.

I should have counted on great your insight




Cavallino - feel free to let your things go then. Nobody is demanding that you own or use a firearm. Don't assume to tell me how I should respond to someone threatening me or my family. Someone takes a few trinket from my house, I'll not go to the level of using a gun if they just take off and run when they see me. Someone raping my wife on the other hand will be nothing but a smear when I get done with them.

[replicant_008]

The ownership of firearms down here is nowhere near the levels of many other western countries particularly the US. There is no right to possess arms, it is regarded as a privilege although the licencing process is largely a formality.

There is still an element of gungho about the use of firearms - testament being the sad number of hunting accidents using high powered rifles from hunters failing to adequately identify their targets and killing their mates...

Now having been around firearms for a lot of my life and being fairly proficient with their use - has further instilled to me the respect for firearms and the need to restrict their possession and use.

I have used weapons that can do a very effective and efficient job at snuffing the existence of individuals from as far away as a mile away. I've also used automatic weapons that are robust, and are stunning effective at being able to strike down multiple targets in the time it takes to light a cigarette.

But the thing about this incredibly effective instruments of death... is that death is a pretty final solution and you all you have as recourse is remorse - even then I'm sure that even time can't heal the unseen wounds.

As for the shotgun under the bed Yogs. I've considered what I would do in a situation where I was presented with a situation of extreme distress and to be honest - most of the scenarios don't lend themselves to presenting a firearm.

I've spoken and been counselled by someone in the personal security industry who shall remain nameless and the advice was that the first response is to get the invader out of your house as quickly as possible - pausing to retrieve a weapon wastes vital seconds and generally most invaders when presented with a situation will try to flee first.

Get them out of the house or out of your space first then worry about revenge/apprehending them later - that's what the professionals are there to do.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by replicant_008

As for the shotgun under the bed Yogs. I've considered what I would do in a situation where I was presented with a situation of extreme distress and to be honest - most of the scenarios don't lend themselves to presenting a firearm.

I do not disagree with you at all. I don't treat my weapons with a cavalier attitude. I would also be hesitent to confront someone intruding in my home. Taking the life of another person is not something that I am seeking out. With that said, I do believe that if the situation came to a him or me level, I wouldn't hesitate to get the gun and pull the trigger. While I expect that it will never happen, I am prepared in that unlikely event.

Alas - I do not own any shotguns. Rifles yes, revolvers and pistols yes but no shotguns. (when we shoot clays, I use one of my fathers) For anyone who is further interested, the only time the weapons are loaded an near me is when I am carrying them (CCW) or hunting. At night time they are placed in the closet unloaded. Since there is only the wife and myself, I have no concern about little hands getting ahold of one of them.

My beef is with people who feel that I should not own a gun for whatever their reasons. To everyone who feels they do not want or need one, then thats your choice. I choose to own a few. If the fact I own guns scares anyone here from ever visiting my home, then its just more beer for me.

[replicant_008]

I understand mate - but making the ownership and possession of firearms for legitimate purposes a controlled activity employs a principle that a lethal device should have some controls about its use and the people who have access to them.

It's a philosophical difference and being brought up in a society where firearms are not as common or accessible leaves you with different value sets. Part of the responsibility I have is that I am very proficient with a variety of weapons and I understand how lethal they can be. I also know that I have possess enough instincts for self-preservation that in a him or me situation that the other party is going to be in trouble.

One of the precepts of the legal defence of self-defence in the New Zealand legal system is that of reasonable force. Given my training and skills the reasonable force test would be different than say one of my friends who does not possess these skills as it would be argued I had a greater capability to restrain or incapacitate someone with greater accuracy without resorting to more drastic measures... it's something that I hope never gets tested.