[Spike-A-Pike]

Pual; Brian.

I remember reading (and believing) that British and American citizens are two peoples separated largely by a common language.

I had the honor and pleasure, as a member of the US Marines and US Air Force, of working with some of the finest British military professionals during my time in uniform. Countless times, as we got to know each other and get comfortable being around one another, we would discuss a broad range of topics. One of the most interesting points that kept coming up time and again was the American "Right to bear arms" and the use of the British Home Guard during WWII. It is my belief that the use of the British Home Guard was one of the main reasons that Hitler's Germany never launched an actual invasion attempt beyond the air campaigns.

Regardless if you are talking about London or New York City, the press gives the front page of the home town papers, to the story with the worst headlines. America's war on terrorism has received negative press around the world; after the bombings in the British "tubes", several US papers tried to claim the UK police were going after ALL Islamic Immigrants and rounding them up for deportation. Since "Desert Storm" and "Desert Shield" in the early 1990's, I have always tried to read different sources of the same reports and accounts, to form my own opinions.

Least I forget...
Paul - Welcome to the Tackleunderground.com. It seems a little crazy to welcome you on board to site where the membership is drawn together by a common passion for lure building and fishing; and the first discussion is on a subject that polarizes just about everyone who engages it. Hope you will look past this - what are your interests in terms of tackle making and fishing?

[6_feet_deep]

Originally Posted by PaulWW36

...You seem to be under the impression that without firearms you will live in some kind of Stallinist dictatorship, this is simply not true...the only question I have is how do you justify automatic weapons and having lots of weapons just to defend your home.

The sad thing is Paul that there are actually people who do believe that the common man possessing firearms prevents the next Hitler. I can totally understand the questions you may have. Just look at it from the angle that we, as a country, started due to the result of protest to oppression on certain fronts. Early history showed us that political factions tried to de-arm an established society in order to further control them. I personally do not believe that my firearms are going to prevent the next world war, but they do give many Americans a feeling of security and I do believe that the more law abiding, responsible citizens that own firearms the better. As many people have said, criminals will always have access to firearms and the banning of ownership to the law abider only hurts the law abider. The problem that many will not admit in this country is that when we decided to fight oppression, we ended up being like the evil we abhored in our actions towards the native people of the land we were trying to establish for our own. That's a whole other discussion for another day though. Either way, most people have a strong opinion based on principle...in the south you're spoon fed "America, the land of the free with a right to bear arms." When the Govt. is talking of taking that right away after over 200 years...it raises many eyebrows. This quote helps understand the feelings of many...like all situations, people do tend to lean too far to one side of the fence and you will always have people who believe that uncle sam is ready to kick in doors and start marshal law , but for anyone to think violence or crime can be more controlled by taking away the legal right to bear arms is crazy and it does raise a question as to why the govt would be thinking of this...

This quote should help the mentality of some:

"The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subjected people to carry arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subjected peoples to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing...." -- Adolph Hitler, Edict of March 18, 1938

[PaulWW36]

Can I just say what a pleasure it is speak to people with such well informed and level headed views, it restores my faith in humanity that you are not all 'John Rambo' types !
Bruce, you do not need to stress to us the importance of ignoring newspaper talk, we cant even beleive our own over here let alone anyone elses.
With regards my fishing, I mainly fish for Pike, with my personal best being 24 lb. although I have never made a lure yet I intend to start soon, so I am gleaning as much information from you experts as possible !!!
Now, if I can just convince you Yanks to drive on the left :-)

[6_feet_deep]

Originally Posted by PaulWW36

...although I have never made a lure yet I intend to start soon, so I am gleaning as much information from you experts as possible !!!

You came to the right place..that's for sure.

[Spike-A-Pike]

Thanks Paul,
You have reconfirmed my belief that if people would just learn to talk and exchange ideas, the world would be a better place. About that "drive on the left" thing, the Challenger main battle tanks I've seen always drive down the center of the road, just like the Abrams...

I'm guilty of taking this subject very personally, sorry if my expression of my views offended anyone. Maybe we need to stop beating this dead horse and get back to our common core interest and important stuff like fishing.

[smirkplug]

As a responsible gun owner (in California of all places) i just want to thank all who participate in this thread for all the insight and opinions. I see so much research and level headed views it really adds to restoring some faith in the Americans i i have always admired. Thanks Again !!! I do really sometimes fear that California is a different country !!

[Brian_Va]

As irony would have it. A former Marine pilot sent me this in my mail yesterday. I think this little lady sums it up about well as ti could be and reiterates my sentiment about the right to keep and bear arms, NOT for the purpose of hunting ducks, but for what the forefathers intended all along. She literally took the words right out of my mouth.

YouTube - Gun control witness