He keeps trying to switch the argument to the state of Russian prisons. As far as I can tell, he was well trained...or under the misguided opinion that we on FR, the dark primitives only need to be presented by these "enlightened" arguments and will quickly see the "light" and head on over. He's used a lot of hysterical emotions rather then numbers, which when I brought them up (like the fact that the error rate on executions is less then 1% over a 27 year period), he quickly resorts back to emotions. What can I say?
What you described earlier is not Napalm. Napalm is a mixture of petrol, phosphorus and a powerful oxidising agent. You might as well argue that we should ban petrol since that could be used to set someone on fire.
The point is that firearms when used for the purpose for which they were designed can kill large numbers of people quickly and effectively.
...refuses to acknowledge the failure of the Blair government and its gun control, criminal cuddling.
The British government has always frowned upon the use of firearms for personal or home protection, whether or not the ruling party is Labour or Conservative. It just isn't seen as the British way. That's why your idea about the older generation taking control and bringing back liberal gun laws and capital punishment is so silly. My Father and Uncle are both right-wingers who served in the British army and neither of them believe that encouraging people to protect themselves with firearms would be a good idea. You forget that the British people are subjects not citizens and historically the Government did not want its subjects to be armed. Personally, I am a Republican and want Britain to abolish the Monarchy, abolish the House of Lords and adopt a Constitution.
Capital punishment was revoked over 30 years ago, and is not seen as a more effective deterrent than life imprisonment in Britain. Also since there have been some well publicised cases of innocent people being convicted for capital crimes, then I doubt anyone, apart from the BNP, will revive it.
As for criminal cuddling, I agree that persistent juvenile offenders are often just let off with a caution. It would be better if they were taken away from their useless parents and educated by the state. I doubt that throwing them in prison would help, since they don't know the difference between right and wrong to start off with.
He keeps trying to switch the argument to the state of Russian prisons.
The state of Russian institutions and their ingrained corruption was originally the subject, which you avoided by changing the subject to the British state's practises.
"So Bruce M. from the US thinks we should be allowed to carry guns. Great idea, the mugging statistics would be reduced, but the murder rate would rocket. The States have had more incidents of someone going crazy with a gun in the first 16 days of this year than the UK has had in 20 years. I think I'll take my chances being mugged thank you." Paul Snook, UK
"I'm mystified by the comment made by Bruce M from the US. Does he really think that allowing citizens to own firearms reduces violent crime? He should look at the US murder statistics." Chris Booth, UK
"Why yes Bruce M, I do note violent crime in the areas of the world that allow citizens to own firearms, namely the king of them all, the USA. It is a pretty violent country isn't it?" Chris Cormier, Canada
"Allowing citizens to be armed is not a solution. Ask any Johannesburg resident about the consequences of this and they will tell you that more than 60% of those firearms were stolen from them and used to commit gruesome crimes. You never know with whom those guns will end up." Vuyani, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
However, I totally agree with the point below.
"The law on self-defence needs changing. If I saw someone being mugged I'd be reluctant to help in case I was convicted for assault and the criminal sued me for damages!" Alan Y, UK