It always makes me laugh when "you lot" over the pond bang on (note the pun) about having this right to "bear arms" because it says so in your Declaration Of Rights. (Is that what it's called?)
What most don't understand (or, more accurately, choose to forget) is that it states that you have a right to bear arms only as part of an organised militia. (As JCB pointed out, above)
I'm not knocking anyone with this post; t'was just an observation. Personally, I'm glad that guns are illegal over here. I have fired guns at a local gun-club (3" barreled, .357 revolver loaded with .38 power rounds); that was in a controlled environment. It'd scare me to think that I lived in a place that anyone could have one of those things, or worse, tucked into their belt. I do realise, however, that America is a lot bigger than the UK and there are times when, for example, for someone living in a remote area, having a gun is practical/necessary/advised. I may be wrong.
