Should we give guns to children?

[archivist]

Tim,

You are absolutely right. We have all those problems and we don't want to add guns to them. It is illegal to own a flick knife and it is illegal to carry a knife with a blade over 4 inches without a valid reason. The reason we have no power is because our politicians talk supremely well but are totally incapable of acting positively.

Neville

[archivist]

Tim,

Second thoughts: Americans must decide what's best for and in America. Mine is a purely European viewpoint. But to take up one of your points, laws are totally useless (however well intentioned) if they are not enforced. You might as well say something like "You can't do that, its illegal" which is ineffective and pointless. But enforcement makes a difference. In this country a life sentence is 99 years but the Judges often give tariffs of 2, 3 or 4 years; that means you can apply for parole after that length of time and with our soft system, you will frequently get it. The legislature has tried, the Police have tried but the Judiciary and the Parole Board let them down. We need zero tolerance (American style) and we need to build more jails not let a bunch of bleeding heart liberals (we call them do-gooders) call the shots.

Neville