@famousone I mean you're not wrong, with enough money anyone can get the permits. Plus you can easily make explosives with what's under your kitchen sink so that's kind of a moot point.

But now we are starting to get into state versus federal law. Keep in mind that one huge hurdle that the US has to deal with that european countries do not is federal versus state law... and there are many times that these are at odds with each other.

Well we were talking about personal defense and immediate threats. Owning a fighter jet or tank would be considered offensive. Small arms like a pistol or even rifles would fall under personal defense or actionable use for personal safety. Certain explosives are actually legal as well, Tanarite is an explosive used in Texas for boar traps.

Well I dont want to try and speak for anyone or put words in their mouths. I think famous ones ultimate point though is exactly what I described--everyone has a right to arms to defend themselves. I think he was moreso specifying that the government shouldn't have a right to restrict or remove that. To many Americans, there is a perception of extreme overreach when it comes to the NZ government. Love the people, love the food--personally not a fan of the government.. especially with their stance on deporting/not accepting immigrants with special needs children because they're considered too burdensome on their socialized medical program.**edited for spelling

I'll also say that weapons are a part of our culture down here too, so expectations are high when it comes to handling a firearm. 9/10 times when I see someone doing something stupid or dangerous they're not a native. I saw a guy letting his son (they were AR transplants) letting his son dry-click a rifle at people in a hunting/camping store I was at. They were thrown out of the store SO quickly and banned... because you treat every weapon like its loaded, period.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a native Texan, I've lived here all my life and I've known 0 people killed by a firearm. I've known 34 who were killed in car accidents. Are we going to ban cars? All the folks saying a car isn't a tool meant to kill, does that eliminate the intent of someone using it to kill? Is it a problem with the person driving like a maniac or with the car?

Also keep in mind there are over 400 million firearms in circulation in the US right now. You could ban them tomorrow and it wouldnt really mean much. I guarantee you they arent going to go door to door, searching homes (ignoring how many laws this would break locally, I guarantee you this would start a civil war).

I believe I have a right to defend myself and the people I love, God has nothing to do with it. Look man I'm Jewish so I wake up every morning with a target already on my back. I've gotten into a close call before where I did have to draw my weapon and hold someone until the police could arrive. I'm not saying I think everyone should have a weapon, (felons, people with a history of assault, etc.), but I do think it's insane when people think they can legislate against violence. Criminals dont care about the law. There are times when I see a store that has a 30.07 posting and I just want shop at that store, (30.06 is fine, I think open carry is silly anyway because it lets the bad guys know who to try and kill first). Statistically the areas with the highest rates of violent crimes in the US are those with the restrictive gun control. The guy breaking into your house gets an advantage if he knows you dont have a firearm--especially when he bought one off the street.

I also have over a thousand hours of training with my EDC and I'm a gold rated pistol marksman, so I'm not just some guy carrying a weapon he just picked up at walmart... and the training I have is actually quite common for a lot of people in Texas.

@scarmandingo I think you're getting a little overly aggressive here, I have an LTC and I carry in public. I dont do it because I want to be an action hero, I do it because if I need to use it to defend myself or someone I love i can have the tool available to do so. This isn't just hypothetical either, I grew up in a less than stellar neighborhood in the 90's and a firearm is the only reason a group of convicted rapists trying to break into our home didnt get past the front door. My mother held them off until the police came. I understand that not everywhere I go is a shit neighborhood or always equates to the same possible danger, but being prepared is being prepared and everyone has lived their own lives and experiences. I feel like you're painting with a broad brush here... I wouldnt call you a coward so let's not start lobbing insults. It's a hot topic and I get it, but come on man.

There have been 17,608 homicides in Mexico this year... but the US has a problem? Many of these countries have homicide statistics that dwarf anything in the US. I'm not saying that mass shooting in the US are anything but horrible, but getting really tired of other countries bending over backwards to criticize my house when theirs is burning down around them.

@nicegelman @popsy

@famousone

"I'LL DO YOU ONE BETTER--WHY JESUS"

How dare you, my assault microwave is just as effective as any rifle. (Couldnt resist)

@grimreaper before he died, he reported connections to the Clintons, to the British royal family... etc.

@grimreaper supposedly he had information on hundreds, possibly thousands of ludicrously wealthy and powerful pedo's

@jensensbooty because he was supposed to be in a suicide proof cell with constant camera supervision. However, apparently he was not and the camera feed/memory during the incident was supposedly not working at the time of his death... mysteriously, it was working completely fine up until his death and even afterwards... but not during. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

@metalman that's the thing... he was supposed to be in a suicide proof cell

@cakelover and prince charles of wales