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Focus50 -> RE: In an effort to find some common ground. (2/1/2013 5:31:41 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jlf1961
First, the US has the second amendment.
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
I would like to know what the basic guarantee of gun ownership exists in Australia and the UK.
In Australia, there is no bill of rights per se'. But nor is it anything like a Police state, either. Like I suggested to you in Level's thread (Guns), since 9/11 we've likely got more freedoms than the US now, EXCEPT for guns.
Speaking of which, there is no "basic guarantee of gun ownership", not even pre Port Arthur gun reforms (1996). If you want to own a gun (rifle), you need a valid reason. Just to shoot at a range is enough - BUT you have to shoot there a mimimum number of times per annum to keep your licence. Don't bother applying if you've got a criminal record. And a "valid reason" will NOT include personal or home security.
If you wanna hunt, you'll need a stat/dec from a farmer or rural land owner giving his permission. Holding a licence includes all your guns being registered and securely stored.
Unless it's a requirement for your work (security, Police etc), forget about pistols. Though I think you can target shoot but only with pistols specifically designed for that purpose. There are higher levels of licence, such as a dealer's licence or for a professional shooter, which naturally bring greater requirements of the person applying.
I'm not sure about limits on gun numbers, though I'm sure there is. It seems the 3 I own is fine but....
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Police Raids to arrest and confiscate illegal guns.
Again, the constitution, fourth amendment.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Again, no 4th amend here either, but still not a Police state. There's no search & seizure "just because" or secret Police kicking doors in etc. Probably very similar to the US in that they need all the right reasons to enter/search/frisk etc as well as warrants for a dwelling.
We have freedom of speech - though you'll need to be well schooled in political correctness if you ever wanna see your "Letter to the Editor" published. Lol, speaking from experience there - thankyou Rupert...!
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The particular popularity of a specific weapon type.
Dunno about "specific weapons" but it was never legal for civilians to possess full autos; semi-autos and pump action shotties were banned since Port Arthur.
And just forget about pistols....
I don't go away shooting anymore and have thus lost touch with other shooters and what guns are popular. I have an air rifle (.177), a .22 and a .243. All pretty old now.... Nuthin' like the artillery I'd imagine the average American gun owner has but they're fine for what I go after. Miss my .22 semi auto Ruger but. I also have access to my brother's rifles, which is why I haven't bothered obtaining a decent .22 bolt action.
Since Port Arthur, I also miss my old .22 lever action (16 rounds, I think) but damned if I know whatever became of it.
I find a decent .22 is just fine for popping feral cats in the bush, rabbits too - which is pretty much what I target. Of course, it's difficult to get so close to a fox or wild dog (dumb luck, more like it) so I take the .243 if I think they're about. Usually makes for a slow day (or one very dead cat or rabbit) and consequently I don't think I've fired it in a decade....
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Game animals
Deer, dove, duck, geese, bear, elk, moose, quail, rabbit to name a few.
I know that the UK has deer, at least in Scotland, but I would be interested in other game in the UK and Australia.
Popular native game animals here are ducks and kangaroos. The latter always seems to stir up controversy because it is a uniquely Aussie icon and features on the national coat of arms.
That said, it's also one of those few animals to benefit from the coming of man - the clearing of many dense woodlands etc. So yeah, they do breed to plague proportions in agreeable seasonal conditions and can devestate farmlands.
Both (ducks & 'roos) require seasonal, governmental dispensation to shoot as ALL native wildlife is protected under the National Parks & Wildlife Act.
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Pest animals.
Wild pigs, coyotes and various invasive species that are too numerous to list, and usually region specific.
Locally, the preferred rifle to deal with wild pigs and coyotes are various versions and configurations of the AR 15.
What are the similar problems in the UK and Australia?
As I said, there has to be some sort of common ground that we can at least understand, and hopefully go from there.
Also, name a particular game animal in your country and what you use to hunt it. Caliber and gun type.
And if anyone has any suggestions on dealing with wild hogs, I am open to hearing it. What is being done all over the US is not having much impact.
Now you're talkin' - Oz is feral heaven.
Probably No 1 pest is pigs. Due to our population difference, the problem probably isn't as visible as in the US but I doubt you have anymore of the mongrel things than here.
Friggin' rabbits certainly are visible; I even shot a kitten in my backyard the other day! They're everywhere - thankyou Brits...! lol
And we've got feral cats, dogs, foxes, goats, horses, Asian water buffalo and deer are now on the rise.
Dealing with wild hogs...? We shoot them and we trap them. It's a losing battle but the alternative is to not shoot them and trap them. Got a bit of a funny story about a job offer to shoot pigs, but that's another day....
Focus.
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