Not just Two Countries Divided by a Common Language

I cannot agree with these two statements.

 

I have a bb rifle. It shoots 350 fps and is considered not a weapon because it is below the 500 fps speed that designates any type of shooter as a weapon rather than a "toy". I brought it over the border with me a few years ago and declared it as a toy weapon because even the border agencies really don't know what to call it. I could have gotten the same type here but I wanted the pink one to match my pink lined camo runners

That said - I never aim it anywhere near others' properties and I use it to scare raccoons by a shot at their bum or to take care of rat a tats or other rodents who cause destruction here.

When I first got it I started practising with a home made target on a 8 x 11 sheet of paper and worked my may down to a target on a 3x3 post it note.

That is my way of acting responsibly with my toy weapon. I keep it locked away when the grandkids come by, I never aim it outside my yard and my aim is accurate.

I don't shoot for recreation but I must admit that it was rather pleasurable to bump off a couple of those obnoxious little invaders

 

I am not for one second disagreeing or arguing with you, as I see no problem with pest control. However this does reinforce the point I was making that people who own something that is only designed for the one purpose of killing things, must accept that they are willing to take a life.

A 'toy' gun, which I presume is like an air rifle, is not quite what I had in mind when I was shamelessly passing judgement on Americans who love their guns. Although it must be noted that their have been accidental human fatalities involving similar guns. As a teenager I was shot in the head with one. It stung and annoyed me but that's about it. Tragically it's been on the news that other kids have not been so lucky with air gun accidents.

 

A life? Are you comparing a rat's life to that of a human being . You know, I kill flies that are in my house and slugs and snails and all sorts. I guess I'm just a mean old mass murderer

 

With class according to this part of your post

 

Rats are actually very intelligent little beings. Don't get me wrong, I'd kill a rather if it was causing me problems, but no matter how we dress it up or joke about it or justify it, it does boil down to a person making a conscious decision to take the life of another sentient being.

 

Yes, I realize that rats are very good at learning. Even Donny Osmond recorded a song which was a love song to a rat.

Now, @clueless1 have you never had to kill anything to preserve your property?


Plants also seem to be smart. Some even talk. ... they do say they heard it through the grapevine... did you never kill a weed....?

Okay. Just being a pooh. A mass murdering, smiling pooh. Next time I go to church, I'll visualize the minister as you. I sin therefore I am..... fill in the blank

Lighten up. Who really cares about rats. Oh wait, maybe the people who might have survived the plague if not for the little carriers

 

@CanadianLori I didn't realise that Donny Osmond had also recorded a loving song about a rat. I just know the one by Michael Jackson called 'Ben' that I have in my record collection from the early 70's although at the time I didn't realise that the song was about a rat until sometime later

Hate rats though as we keep getting them in our allotment shed in the winter months and can only assume they get in through the open door when we are working on the plots as there are no holes where they can get though and the horrid things pooh all over stuff in the shed so have to poison them to get rid of.We have only had the problem since people on the allotments started keeping chickens and didn't bother cleaning them out properly and leaving food all over the place.Other allotmenteers have had to resort to shooting them to try and keep the numbers down

 

When Christine was a Primary School Teacher the best classroom pet she ever had was a rat, the children could handle it without either getting damaged. I suppose the 'Elf and Safety' wallies would ban it nowadays.

 

Oops, my bad - knew it was one of those singers!

 

I never at any point suggested that by owning a gun you intend to take a life.

I suggested that by owning something that is only designed to kill, you must acknowledge that you might kill. Might is not the same as intend.

I'm ducking out of this conversation now because it's clear that my view is misinterpreted or misunderstood despite my best efforts to explain. My last thought on the subject. So far everyone that insists I'm wrong has backed up their argument with tales of killing things with guns.

 

And your point is?

hmm? there are nasty people everywhere and most of them are stupid too. Should be an IQ test before allowing these purchases?