[Reaganwuzthebest]

This is more or less the same thing I was told by my local police chief, here in the US. I could not bring my Browning 9mm HP here for personal prtection.

The same reasoning is used in NY State, which is a Taxachusetts clone- when applying for a handgun license never tell them it's for self-defense, but target practice. Whatever, it's still perfectly legal, as it should be to use it for the purpose of defending yourself.

In Britain though, I've heard you can't do that, even if someone breaks into your house. If that's true, why do British citizens tolerate those kind of laws?

[Cpt Sir Richard Burton]

"In Britain though, I've heard you can't do that, even if someone breaks into your house. If that's true, why do British citizens tolerate those kind of laws?"


Well, it's true in some US states too, Illinois (I think) and Massachusetts.

The problem is that in the past, some land owners would shoot at people for innocently tresspassing on their property.

If armed breakins was a big problem I think the law would be changed - but it's not. Burgleries are higher in the UK than the US (per capita), but they tend to be less violent. Also, if caught they tend to give themselves up without a fight.