"The average citizen, IME, is not likely to hunt in France, proper."
France is a large, rural country with a lot of wild game.
Hunting is extremely popular.
Guns are not rare in French homes, although they are rarer in the city.
Also, it is not illegal to own the other types of weapons, such as a handgun. One must simply obtain a permit and register the gun. The hardest part for some to clear is that to get a permit own a non-hunting gun, one cannot have a criminal record.
Also, guns are not difficult to obtain, if we are speaking of hunting rifles and shotguns. There are arsenals that sell these and one purchases what one pleases.
Military weapons?
No.
Civilians do not need military weapons, machine guns, armor piercing bullets and the like. Those things are for killing the police and the army, and one does not have a right to kill the police and the army.
France is a large, rural country with a lot of wild game. Hunting is extremely popular. Guns are not rare in French homes, although they are rarer in the city.
I understand that about France geography and demographics. I would think however, in those locations where the terrorists are arsoning, the residents might not be of the "caliber" to meet the requirements for owning basic self-defense weaponry against these thugs. Or, do you think, there's an over-reliance upon French Police?
Also, it is not illegal to own the other types of weapons, such as a handgun. One must simply obtain a permit and register the gun. The hardest part for some to clear is that to get a permit own a non-hunting gun, one cannot have a criminal record.
Here, one cannot have a criminal record and own ANY gun. Of course, given the liberal courts, sometimes, it is hard to tell the guilty from the "set-up on bogus charges"...
Military weapons? No. Civilians do not need military weapons, machine guns, armor piercing bullets and the like. Those things are for killing the police and the army, and one does not have a right to kill the police and the army.
The same argument goes around in the US. But when thugs take over your city, and when city counsels and "human rights orgs" perpetually natter for softer kinder bullets for police forces to use against fully armed mobs and terrorists, the argument for such gunrights indeeds swings in the "pro" column for the citizen to own and have.
Says who? The reason Americans have a RKBA is to counter the tyranny of government, you know, the police and army. I gather you are not an American, nor do you understan the Bill of Rights.