Is It Time To Regulate Clubs And Hammers?

[lennartack]

Customs, traditions, moral values and rules of etiquette, not laws and government regulations, are what make for a civilized society. These behavioral norms — transmitted by example, word of mouth and religious teachings — represent a body of wisdom distilled through ages of experience, trial and error, and looking at what works. The importance of customs, traditions and moral values as a means of regulating behavior is that people behave themselves even if nobody's watching. Police and laws can never replace these restraints on personal conduct so as to produce a civilized society. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defense for a civilized society. The more uncivilized we become the more laws that are needed to regulate behavior.

Many customs, traditions and moral values have been discarded without an appreciation for the role they played in creating a civilized society, and now we're paying the price.

His assertions lack a solid basis, but I think it could be true. But if it is true, would it justify a return to the indoctrination of the church? (Something which I consider impossible) I am very happy with my (relatively to the past) moral freedom.

Closely related is the issue if immigrants with a different culture and moral values. We have no influence on their moral education. So what do we do when their values clash with ours? The presence of guns certainly doesn't help.

[Ginkgo]

Fact.

World wide.

Out of 178 countries, Australia ranks 25, for the number of privately owned firearms.

Estimated total number of guns held by civilians is between 3,050,000 to 3,500,000 as at 19/1/2013.

Referenced from Guns in Australia, Facts, Figures and Firearm Law, University of Sydney,

Yes, I read the study and I saw that figure mentioned. At least I think it is the study you are referencing. "Guns in Australia: Facts ,Figures Firearms and the Law" GunPolicy.org However, I didn't see the reference to the 25 out of 178 mentioned. Perhaps you could give me a link.

The one I read said that, 3,050,000 guns is the estimate of the number of guns held by civilians in Australia ( as you said). However, the figure quote is not representative of the number of Australians who own firearms, nor is it suppose to be in the context of the study. It relates to the actual number of weapons. The reason the author lifts this figure is for the purpose of trying to estimate the number of weapons handed in in order to ascertain the percentage decrease in overall number of firearms in the buy back.

What I am saying in relation to the figures is this. The three people who live and work on my property each own one gun. However, the gun collector who lives in town owns 23 guns. What you are probably looking for is something like the number of registered firearms and the number of people who hold a firearm license.