the number of gun and knife accessories

[Washroad]

thankyou washroad, this is the type of information i was looking for....personal reasons for owning guns and i find yours completely valid. I am not totally closed minded about this , but looking for information and explanations. I think in US where guns are a way of life for many people and always have been, trying to ban them would be a mistake. However, never having had guns here has formed a different community view and we like it this way. Yes i have seen the holsters you mentioned and i find the work absolutely beautiful.

OK i am bored with this topic. Who wants to argue about the ethics of hunting?? Joke....Just pushing your buttons!!!

leatheroo,

Australia has a history of guns, most certainly! It was only in the recent past that they were banned there. Almost all nations on this planet have a history of guns/war. The history of the world is war.

There are many opinions about the 2nd Amendment. Personally, I believe I do have the "right" (in this context, a "right" is a guarantee of the government) to own/carry/use firearms.

My thinking on the reason for the 2nd Amendment in the first place: The United States has just won their independence from a government that was heavy-handed and they could add to/take away rights on a whim. The Founding Fathers wanted this country to be free as possible. The "militia" clause of this amendment means that we can take up arms against our own government when it gets out of control (it's getting there, but I'm hoping I never have to take up arms against my own government). Therefore, our own government should know that the people are in control, won't allow the taking of our rights without a fight. (That is why I don't understand people voting for the likes of Pelosi, Boxer, Feintein, et. al.)

Hunting?? As Mr. Phelps mentioned below, when you head into the wilderness (as they did in your country), you need to find food. There is a need for hunting.

My father, growing up during the great depression here, hunted for dinner many times. My father-in-law grew up poor on a farm in Canada (they also have a history of guns there) and hunting provided a lot of food for them as a necessity.

As far as getting "heated" about this subject, hey! It's the internet!!

[leatheroo]

I have read all the replies and a few posts have addressed my statement " I find it hard to comprehend the interest in these weapons". I have done a lot of thinking and have come to the conclusion that my lack of comprehension comes from the society i live in. I am 46 years old. I have lived in a capital city and on the Gold Coast and worked in hospitals and casinos and now live in a city 1 hour from the states capital with a population of 500,000 people and have definitely not lived a sheltered life. I have never known a person who owns a gun or wanted to own a gun. I have never known a person who has had their house broken into or was a victim of any crime. I live in a middle class neighbourhood and my personal safety or the safety of my family has never been an issue. Our shops, supermarkets, schools have never had armed guards, even our banks dont have guards. Of course we have crime but it is not an issue that dominates our society. I suppose trying to convince me that personal guns are needed here, is like trying to convince someone who lives in a desert that they need an umbrella. However your experiences make the US seem like a really scary place and if i lived there maybe i would carry a gun. Will things change here? Who knows.

Only time will tell.

I really was kidding about hunting. I have no problem with it, unless it is purely for the pleasure of killing something.

It has been a very interesting discussion

Keep safe.

Edited November 2, 2007 by leatheroo

[wolvenstien]

the idea that Australia has always been gun less is mind boggling. Australia started as a prison colony for England. Then when it was realized that Australia was good land and the rich could get richer they started to move in and kill off the Aborigine natives and even went as far as to hire out the dirty work to Americans looking for work and adventure.

The history of Australia is in ways much the same as it was for America.... Just that America is much bigger, broke away from England, and opened its ports to all....

I think when you say that they banned guns you mean to say hand guns, not all guns (and if I am wrong, please correct me) as in the states here, they have been working on banning hand guns for a long time, but the rifles and shot guns have always been safe.... but if they ban hand guns we know what is next on the list.... As they have banned ownership of certain types of automatic guns already....

I have always had guns. When I go camping I take my guns and knives with me... I do not go camping where border patrol is chasing after people of anything like that... but I have come close to bears before, as well as other wild life... I do not hunt any longer, but when I did, I was taught to eat when i kill, and only kill what I intend to eat. No sport hunting. If it comes down to it, i will pull the trigger on another man if I truly feel my life is in danger, but I would much rather beat him with my bare hands. But thats just me. Something I have trained to do since I was 8 or 9 years old.

As far as government goes.... I dont hate my government, It is the people who run my government I do not like or trust. I support my troops even though I do not agree in what they are doing, they are following the orders of the people who run things, and they have no choice...

Our country and government has grown too large for a militia to raise up and make any changes... this is why we have idiots like Nickles and what not setting off bombs because they understand that gov'ment is too large, but they go about making change in the wrong ways....

The Movie "RED DAWN" was my all time favorite when i was growing up through the 80s.... but not the reason I have guns... maybe the reason I have a compound bow.... but not guns... LOL

[Mike Phelps]

Wolvenstien, if I remember correctly it was the late 1980's early 90's when Auz, required registration of all guns and owners, plus set limits on the number an individual could own, the manner in which they could be kept plus required a legitimate proof of need to be approved by local authorities.

Saw pictures of literally tons of long arms being dumped into smelters. And these weren't junk guns or relics, nice looking, well cared for Browning A5's, Winchester Model 12's. It was all pretty well documented in Arms and Man and American Rifleman.

Some of the commentary said how many generations will pass before the individual right to bear arms by Australians is forgotten. A lot sooner than anyone would have imagined if a 43 year old urbanite from Auz has no recollection of it existing.

Mike

[SmilinJim]

I've always heard the joke "What do you call gun control in the South? They use two hands" and I tell the guys I live in Walker County where we have reverse drivebys. That's where these folks drove by and I shot at them, but that's a whole new topic. In reality I think it's time, location. I grew up a long time ago in the rural south. It was common for every young boy to grow up hunting and being familar with guns. I was taught that guns are not toys. Guns are made to kill. But they are like any other tool. It is the operator that is in control. I have several guns and have given my only daughter a couple of guns. When I though she was ready, in her mid teens, I taught her how to use a gun. She has fired automatics, revolvers, shotguns and rifles. She prefers the Ruger auto. I guess I'm from the old school I like to be prepared. If she needs to she can use a weapon be it for protection or for hunting. She is not afraid of guns. I like to think I've helped her. But we are in a different time now. Far less kids come in from school and go out hunting. Or plan a trip on a saturday for a bird hunt. It's plug in the Xbox and shoot monsters ( I have to say that I do like Halo ). In my forseeable future there will alway be bad guys with guns. I really don't know if owning a gun is a good idea for most folks but it just makes me feel safer. Enough already, just my two cents worth.

Jim

[Johanna]

Washroad's remarks made me think of a quotation, and I hunted it down:

"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."

-- George Washington

I own guns, and I know how to use them. I was in a bookstore yesterday, and my 8 year old found a big illustrated book of weaponry. He's been fascinated with military subjects for two years. I agreed to buy it for him. In the check out line, a middle aged lady asked me if I thought that book was appropriate for him. I stared at the book in my hand, a collection of pictures and captions of museum pieces, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of various knives, swords and not-very-modern guns, and said, "Yes, it is." She began to give me a speech about guns make violence, blah blah and I cut her off short. My son is reading, and I don't mind if he can intelligently discuss Roman swords and Revolutionary War muskets.

Johanna

[rawhide1]

I like SmilinJim also grew up around guns. My dad was a lawdog in Southeastern Okla. when I was little and he made sure we knew guns were for killing and not playing. Wether it be hunting or self defense ya shot to kill. So even at the age of 5 or 6 me and my brothers were allowed to take a .22 with us when we went out in the woods mostly for rattlers and copperheads. So being around guns is no big deal to me. I'll never forget when I was 6 maybe 7 I shot and killed a boxturtle well when my dad found out he busted my butt like it was going out of stly. And ever since that day i've never shot anything unless I was going to eat it. I have guns now and will always have guns and will teach my kids to shoot when they get older. But even now at their age 8,3,1 we talk about not touching guns and if their friends are playing with a gun to leave and get a grownup. If they want to look at one of the guns I will let them. I honestly believe if ya try and keep a youngun from something their little minds will be wondering and wondering about it until they get a chance to get at it by themselves. So I want my kids to be comftable around guns and know what they are for so their little minds aren't wondering. My two cents Mike

[Skipknives]

Three holes center mass in somone that broke into my house will convence then not to do it again

but i refuse to eat them after,,thats where i draw the line.

[Billsotx]

~roo,

You should move here, then you'll too feel the need to protect yourself. Come to class, we'd love to have you. Women are the best students. They learn quickly and they are very enthusiastic.

The solution to crime is simple. Lock 'em up and leave 'em up, but that'll never happen. It'd certainly be cheaper and the rest of us wouldn't have to lock ourselves and our belongings up. Don't that seem a little backwards to you. We lock ourselves up, not the criminals.

When I was a kid we never locked our doors and my dad left the keys in the car and no one bother it.

BTW, do you guys have to lock up like we do?

You're thinkin' I'm a nut case and you're right. I retired from 31 years of law enforcement and 12 years later I still carry a gun all the time. Rest assured there'll never be a cop around when you need one. Interestingly enough and there's been numerous studies on this. Criminals generally sense when a person is armed and they shy away from them. They pick targets of opportunity and run on innate cues. They are predators and that can't be changed, but you don't have to be prey.

Glad you're safe and feel safe. You're real lucky to live in such a low crime country. I constantly run in a condition of readiness, because I know these things come out of now where and I'm the only one I can depend on to take care of me and mine and the best tool for personal defense is a firearm, but if I don't have one anything that's handy will do. Man is a tool bearing animal and he is worthless in a serious fight without tools. If you have to fight, fight to win. Train hard, fight easy.

You take care. Don't let your guard down. And hang in there. Watch your six, 'cause no one else will. Refuse to be a victim.

'til later,

~Bill

[Peter Ellis]

Of course we have target gun clubs here too and target shooting is a very credible sport and the registered owners are responsible and very well screened , and of course there will be illegal guns in all communities, but the average person cannot buy a gun just for protection and there really is no need here.

I've some very good friends who are in law enforcement in Australia. Their stories sound very much like the stories I hear from law enforcement people in the US.

[greg gomersall]

Roo, my grandpa's brother moved to Australia in the 30's, we stayed in close contact with him till he died so I am some what familar with your country and its customs.. Your country is one of if not our best supporter and contributor in The War on Terror. Thank you. Here in the US it is Illegal for a convicted felon to own or be in possession of a gun. Your country has developed into what we call a Nanny State where the government has way too much control over the everyday lives of your people. I'm just kidding with this next line but maybe your government has taken this concept one step further by thinking that because Aus started out as a penal colony that too large a % of the people have a felon in their family tree and and that the evil genes might pass down through the generations so they disarmed you all. I immigrated to the United States 2 weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks from Canada. I Love this country and the freedom and opportunities it has presented me. Greg

P.S. The true definition of Gun Control is the ability to place your second round in the exact same hole as your first. Charlton Heston is still revered as President to a lot of people in this country.

[awharnessshop]

I can't beleive that Austraila has a knife law! Look Crocodile Dundee had the most massive bowie knife ever!

I carry a knife as a tool. Granted its usually just a pocket knife or a leathermen (he he). I don't carry a gun, but I have wanted to make a holster for my 1911... and Mike Phelps seems to have a pretty nice one in his profile picture!

[Romey]

It is not the need to own firearms but a RIGHT to here in the USA. One need not to look any further then any history book about the war of the revolution, had it not been for private ownership of firearms the US to would still be a commonwealth of England.

You say you have had less then 100 gun related homicides but in my state that has very open gun laws and nearly every legal citizen here has at least one we had had exactly zero this year alone.

What you don’t mention is the assault rate and the influx of immigrant crimes as risen dramatically in Australia.

As for hunting, well you eat don’t you? It’s much easier to stomach what you eat when you allow other people to do your killing for you but what’s that say about you. It’s all too easy to judge with little to no knowledge of what one is judging about sad to say.

I for one hunt as it am my heritage and honor to do so. Also you obviously haven’t seen what happens when wildlife is left alone and the disease of over population sets in, I have and its terrible thing to see.

I do highly commend you for at least asking and trying to see what you don’t understand. And don’t be put off or think that the responses of my friends with “gun control is aiming what your hitting at" though true it does give folks who don’t understand a bad impression. If we are giving someone with an actual interest in WHY we stand for what we stand for these comments should be left by the way side. Firearms are what they are, a tool no more evil or deadly then the metal they are made from or the leather that carries them. Its intent of the person in possession that makes the decision if they are a weapon or not. Remember Cain killed Able with a HOE not a pistol.

The History of Okinawa for instance is a very interesting one; it’s probably been the most weapon banned country is the history of the world... Also happens to have the longest history of occupation, first the Japanese shogun clans, then the Japanese imperial army and now the US. That isn’t a coincidence.

Hitler too told his country they no longer needed personal firearms because the Nazi party and his special police would protect them from criminals, they too turned in their firearms, then large book burnings of all books of free thought and personal freedom and by the time the peoples living in Germany realized they had been subjected they had no means what so ever to defend themselves from the Gestapo, the very police Mr. Hilter promised would protect them.

Is the loss of certain freedoms good for the people or good for SOME people and what are the intentions of the people that its good for. I think that is the question everyone in the free world should ask, and then reflect on how those freedoms were fought and maintained.

I completely understand the desire of a crime free society and dont beleive anyone in there right mind would want any different and with that ill qoute you

" I suppose trying to convince me that personal guns are needed here, is like trying to convince someone who lives in a desert that they need an umbrella. "

Have you ever seen what happens in a desert when is DOES rain? I suspect in there near furture from talking to several friends in AU, one in perticular is a Captian of a special forces unit in Australian army that your skys are clouding up. Seeing it or not is up to you, as is with all of us.

Edited November 5, 2007 by Romey

[Regis]

Romey,

Well thought out and articulated. From rights to hunting to protection of our heritage (from outside or inside) I agree with you. We are seeing such a gradual/sly dumbing down of many many children & adults (e.g. 60's crowd on) that many are becomming blind to the danger of ever increasing government "protection and providing for" and how it can harm our nation's foundation. History needs to be taught and not changed. Gosh I can't wait to move back north and hunt in the snow (at least cool weather).

Regis

[Washroad]

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

The above are from Thomas Jefferson

This last one is originally from Ben Franklin

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

[Hilly]

Maybe this is a female thing, i notice there have been no replies from women.

Okay, I'll bite here.

I own guns simply because I CAN.

I am a woman living in the U.S. that defends our right to keep and bare arms. I personally own 2 shotguns, a hunting rifle, and 2 pistols of my own - a .357 magnum for self protection, and a .44 magnum for "plinking" and hunting. I do hunt upland game birds, wild turkey and white tailed deer, and I do enjoy "plinking" with the pistols. I am very familiar with all of my firearms, and could operate them with my eyes closed.

I sleep with a loaded pistol within easy reach in case someone tries to break in to my home.

I also feel that guns do not kill people - people kill people. It is not guns that you need to fear, it is the person behind the trigger.

Have a nice day,

Hilly

[Skipknives]

Oh Hilly,,,I feel flush,,my heart is beating so fast right now

in cities where everyone wears a gun the crime rate is the lowest.

[Brandon]

True, guns don't kill people!

I was shot at in Tasmania near some apple orchards. They missed!

The farmers were friendly but not some punks who live, eat and shit in their vans!

No guns in Australia? Oh well I'm talking about Tasmania.

[howardb]

I know i am going to get slammed for this post and it is not my intention to offend anyone, but i am totally blown away by the number of gun and knife accessories on leatherworker. I can appreciate the beautiful workmanship, but coming from a country where it is illegal to own a gun or carry a knife, i find it hard to comprehend the interest in these weapons. Last year we had only about 100 gunshot homicides in the whole country from a population of 20,000,000 people. I know this is a sensitive issue with a lot of people, but i am glad we have a no gun law in Australia.

OK... i am ready....fire away!!

...Fire away. Now that's funny! :biggrin:

One thing that didn't get touched on in the myriad of replies is the history of leathercraft in the US. I am a rank beginner and don't know lots about the craft yet, but there was an interesting presentation at the IFOLG show this past October. They were introducing the "fathers" of the craft. Literally, it has grown up out of the old west. The "wild wild west" as it were. Guns and knives were literally survival tools. As time went on, the manner of carrying said tools became more embellished, and the craft's roots, at least here, are steeped in this wild west tradition. Thus you have a craft born of making saddles, holsters, and sheaths. It's natural to continue to make these kinds of things, even if you don't own the things that go in them.

I guess my point is, nobody wants "cowboy" style holsters for their cell phone or I-pod, and most fashionistas wouldn't be caught dead with a traditionally carved purse. Hence, the prevalent use for stylized carving tends to fall back on guns and knives.

Best regards,

Brent Howard

[Romey]

I see "cowboy" style cellphone all the time. Cowboy and rustic regelia is very much in demand. Cowboy mounted action shooting for instance and SAAS shooting is only outdone in growth of members as far as a sport under Mixed martial arts for new sports. Also id guess there be more leather craftsmen in the world of highand low skill then anyother time as far as embellishing leather

Edited November 18, 2007 by Romey

[JohnD]

I grew up in MA, my parents never owned guns and didn't hunt. I joined the service and moved to NC, where I started huning. I bought 1 shotgun for hunting, which my (vegetarian at the time) wife would not even let me keep at home.

After moving back to MA, the crime was so bad where we lived (in the 3 years we lived there our front door had been kicked in 4 times and had 2 vehicles stolen and had actually had an armed confrontation on 1 occasion) that MY WIFE thought it would be a good idea to get a handgun. She even asked me to teach her to use it. I got a permit to carry concealed, which actually contributed to my quitting drinking, cause I carried all the time. When our kids started going to school we came to the coclusion that we needed to move. We headed to NH, were now, I leave my keys in my ignition and hardly lock our front door. I still own my guns, which now include several shotguns and a few rifles. I keep everything trigger locked and in my gun safe, with the exception of the handgun, which resides, although trigger locked, hidden within easy reach of my bed.

Although, I didn't grow up around guns and wasn't even really interested in them, I eventually found myself needing one for personal protection. Now that the need for one is essentially gone (I haven't had time to hunt in the past few years) I still keep them, cause.... well... nobody gets rid of guns, you just get more.

John

[Warren]

As a lifetime gun owner I can't imagine (and don't want to) a place where I can't. Not only so I can hunt and protect my family and myself from predators, but also so I can if the need arises defy my government or defend my country. The 2nd amendment does not guarantee the right to have arms so we can hunt and target shoot and defend ourselves from crime. It's there to allow us the citizens of the United States the power to defy our government when they do something we deem to be wrong. It allows us to set our government back on the path we deem correct and non-tyrannical. It also allows us the means to defend that same said country in times of need. The militia spoken about in the second amendment isn't the National Guard, it's the people. The people of this country have the power and the responsibility of defending our country and ourselves in times of need. It is not and never has been the government s responsibility to to defend her citizens or provide for their wants needs or desires. Too many people think the government is there to take care of them, when in truth it is the other way around. We as citizens have a responsibility to rake care of our government, by being involved in our government (i.e. voting lobbying etc.) and even being in armed rebellion against it if necessary. In the USA it is every good citizens responsibility to not only be willing but able to fulfill this obligation and the only way to do that is to be armed. This is my stance. Anyone in this country has the right to disagree with me because the people of this country have fought and died for that right and they did it with guns. A person who is armed is a citizen, a person who is not armed is a subject and a person who is disarmed is a slave. I'm not sure who said this but I whole heartedly agree with it.

[HorsehairBraider]

Another woman gun owner here....

I have not seen this brought up after reading the entire topic, so I'll mention this.

How on earth can a person live on a ranch and raise livestock and not have a gun? Surely, the Australian ranchers have guns? Please, tell me that they do! You are raising animals and they are your responsibility - that means if one gets injured you don't let it suffer. I've checked with many veterinarians and they have assured me that shooting an animal in the head (in the right place) is the most humane way to end the life of a suffering animal. As a responsible livestock owner/breeder, I CAN NOT imagine not having a gun for those instances when life must be ended swiftly to stop an animal's suffering.

There is also the issue of dealing with predators. And in this day and age, unfortunately, that means "dogs". I have had thousands of dollar's worth of livestock slaughtered by dogs. It's been about 11 months ago now we had a TERRIBLE dog attack. I went out across the field to try and help out the stock. There was 3' of snow, I had to wear snowshoes to get there, but I got there as quick as I could. And when I got there, guess what? The dogs turned ON ME. And if I had not had my rifle with me... well, I would not be writing this little tale down right now.

As far as knives go, how on earth can you butcher your winter meat without one?

It's not that I "love" guns and knives or anything (been accused of that before, not that anyone here has done so) but they are essential tools in certain circumstances. And just like I appreciate a good leather punch, without being wildly in love with it, I appreciate a good knife or gun. I spend time target shooting, making sure my gun is sighted in, keep it cleaned and maintained, and that way when I need to use it I will be able to hit what I shoot at with a well-functioning gun.

[cem]

Another woman gun owner here....

I have not seen this brought up after reading the entire topic, so I'll mention this.

How on earth can a person live on a ranch and raise livestock and not have a gun? Surely, the Australian ranchers have guns? Please, tell me that they do! You are raising animals and they are your responsibility - that means if one gets injured you don't let it suffer. I've checked with many veterinarians and they have assured me that shooting an animal in the head (in the right place) is the most humane way to end the life of a suffering animal. As a responsible livestock owner/breeder, I CAN NOT imagine not having a gun for those instances when life must be ended swiftly to stop an animal's suffering.

There is also the issue of dealing with predators. And in this day and age, unfortunately, that means "dogs". I have had thousands of dollar's worth of livestock slaughtered by dogs. It's been about 11 months ago now we had a TERRIBLE dog attack. I went out across the field to try and help out the stock. There was 3' of snow, I had to wear snowshoes to get there, but I got there as quick as I could. And when I got there, guess what? The dogs turned ON ME. And if I had not had my rifle with me... well, I would not be writing this little tale down right now.

As far as knives go, how on earth can you butcher your winter meat without one?

It's not that I "love" guns and knives or anything (been accused of that before, not that anyone here has done so) but they are essential tools in certain circumstances. And just like I appreciate a good leather punch, without being wildly in love with it, I appreciate a good knife or gun. I spend time target shooting, making sure my gun is sighted in, keep it cleaned and maintained, and that way when I need to use it I will be able to hit what I shoot at with a well-functioning gun.

Yes Australian farmers (called farmers here not ranchers)have guns and know how to use them most people in rural centres will also have access to a gun. It's just that it's not a common thing for people in the cities to have a gun some have them for sports shooting and you need a licence for that (my sister has one and is a pretty good sports shooter).

The thing is here you have to keep your firearms in a gunsafe when not in use and you certaintly can't keep a loaded gun by your bed you would definately lose your licence for that. Although we have home invasions here they aren't common for the everyday citizen to want a gun, also we have laws that you can only use the same amount of force the attacker is, such as if they have a baseball bat you can use one. There have been cases here where the defender has been charged with using extreme force over an attacker ie defender had a shotgun attacker had a knife.

I don't have anything against guns and are quite aware that people in other countries may need them if Australias population was to become the size of America then perhaps the local stance would change.

In regards to the government that some others have bought up you have to remember that Australia is still governed in part by England and the Governor General (the queens representitive) will kick out the government if they do something wrong. This has happened once in the 1970's I was born in the 70's but I'm not exactly sure what it was over.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Found this OLD post looking for something else, but here is my take on this.

To answer the original question as to why I have an interest in firearms requires a multilevel answer.

I grew up with firearms, and started shooting around 5 with a .22 cal. Marlin 39A lever action that was my Dad's.

My Dad was a 24 year military guy who was in during WWII, did the Berlin Airlift, and retired in 1967. He saw what can happen when governments go bad, and citizens do not have a capable way to defend themselves.

I love to target shoot, I have done some hunting, and if I felt the need I have them available for self defense. As to defense I generally do not feel the need, even when I am walking down in some of the hoods of Las Vegas for different events late at night. I asses the situation at hand, if I do not feel comfortable, I move on to another area. I have friends who are cops, and business owners who carry all the time due to their work, I don't feel the need.

Crime is relative to where you live. Is there violent crime in the big cities-Yes. Is there violent crimes out in the boonies-very little to none. The USA is a big country with lots of open areas still, so I would bet that the majority of the gun deaths due to violent criminal acts occur in the large metro areas like New York, Los Angeles, etc that have populations in the several millions. The population of California (around 36 million) alone is bigger than all of Australia. The population of Nevada where I live is only around 2.5 million.

Being a machinist, and interested in all things mechanical I find firearms to be a fascinating study of mechanisms. They all do the same thing, fire a projectile, but how many ways can you do it? Answer: a lot. I have purchased firearms, and have disassembled them as soon as I got home to see how they were made. I worked as a gunsmith back in California, so I had the opportunity to disassemble a bunch of guns. I also liked to see the craftsmanship that went into the older firearms, not like todays machine made wonders. To see what the Germans accomplished with the C96 Broomhandle Mauser pistol is amazing to me. Compound curves, all lockwork fitted like a puzzle, and mfg. started in 1896. No CNC machines, no carbide cutters, no modern machine capabilities, but they had CRAFTSMEN. My interests in firearms from that standpoint ends in the 1960's when more, and more firearms were made more inexpensively, and machines started taking over. Todays firearms for the most part are just ASSEMBLED off a production line. I am still old school with my rifles, and prefer the feel of a good black walnut stock, something they have not been able to make synthetically on the new rifles.

We have the second amendment to our constitution. Our country got started by fighting for our independence. We want to stay free, and in order to do that we the people need to have a way to keep the gov't in check. Yes we have violent crimes committed with firearms, but they are just the symptom of a larger problem; drugs for one. Like mentioned before, the Oakland PD has tons of baseball bats in evidence lockers. If someone is intent on killing someone they will find a way. We as a nation need to rethink how we do some things, and maybe the shooting deaths will continue to decline. We need to address the breakdown of the family, drugs, gangs, racism, and other social ills that are the root cause of some of the violence we are experiencing. These are things that we have to live with when we have a free society. Australia is now looking at censoring internet content for sexual, violent, and hateful content, what will they want to limit next? Our Constitution protects us from those types of restrictions, but in turn it is our responsibility as citizens to manage ourselves in a civilized manner.

On the blacksmithing site there is beautiful young gal in OZ that is a very talented bladesmith. Is knife carry only restricted to cities?