Montana, you are right on the money.
There are places on the planet I do not want to visit let alone live. Similarly, I do not want those people to come there, by choice, and think they can change the freedoms by which I live by. Especially not by violence. When in Rome...
Here in Oz suppressors are restricted to the point of being demonised by the authorities. Possession of one will get you arrested, your guns confiscated, fined and a criminal record. Over in New Zealand, a country with a very similar provenance suppressors are perfectly legal. You don't need a licence to own one and anyone can purchase, even tourists. As I understand it in the US you need to apply to your government, a waiting period and a $200 Tax Stamp. So, somewhere in between New Zealand and Australia where choice and freedom of suppressor ownership is concerned.
In 2003 I worked for a time in the Middle East. My de-facto wife was not going to be recognised by the locals unless I was 'married' and they insisted I profess to a religion. Any religion, but not atheism. So we went through the motions and I professed to being religious on paper. Wasn't a threat to saw off my head but pressure to do something against my belief system none-the-less. Their place, their rules, my choice.
My definition of tyranny goes beyond national restrictions. It includes evil intent. Even a dictatorship can be benevolent, although I accept they often aren't. Power corrupts...
If our government lifted all restrictions on firearm ownership here I don't think I'd be comfortable with the inevitable abuse by those who do not have a moral compass. But nor am I happy with the degree of restriction I am currently under, thanks to nutters who occasionally misuse guns. Would be great if there was a foolproof moral test that could be applied at birth. But the banners would then claim the baddies will simply steal guns from the goodies (a current argument here).
And so it goes.
There are places on the planet I do not want to visit let alone live. Similarly, I do not want those people to come there, by choice, and think they can change the freedoms by which I live by. Especially not by violence. When in Rome...
Here in Oz suppressors are restricted to the point of being demonised by the authorities. Possession of one will get you arrested, your guns confiscated, fined and a criminal record. Over in New Zealand, a country with a very similar provenance suppressors are perfectly legal. You don't need a licence to own one and anyone can purchase, even tourists. As I understand it in the US you need to apply to your government, a waiting period and a $200 Tax Stamp. So, somewhere in between New Zealand and Australia where choice and freedom of suppressor ownership is concerned.
In 2003 I worked for a time in the Middle East. My de-facto wife was not going to be recognised by the locals unless I was 'married' and they insisted I profess to a religion. Any religion, but not atheism. So we went through the motions and I professed to being religious on paper. Wasn't a threat to saw off my head but pressure to do something against my belief system none-the-less. Their place, their rules, my choice.
My definition of tyranny goes beyond national restrictions. It includes evil intent. Even a dictatorship can be benevolent, although I accept they often aren't. Power corrupts...
If our government lifted all restrictions on firearm ownership here I don't think I'd be comfortable with the inevitable abuse by those who do not have a moral compass. But nor am I happy with the degree of restriction I am currently under, thanks to nutters who occasionally misuse guns. Would be great if there was a foolproof moral test that could be applied at birth. But the banners would then claim the baddies will simply steal guns from the goodies (a current argument here).
And so it goes.