Thanks for your comments as well RSHAW. But as an American I could not disagree more with your statement, " I also feel strongly that there should be more stringent storage regulations in the US, as well as a requirement for a proper background check, and documented completion of a carefully designed gun safety course which includes gun handling instructions." I understand your feeling that these types of regulations are sensible. Perhaps because of your indoctrination under the European Gun Control Laws. But in the U.S.A. all of these so called 'sensible gun regulations' are being used to diminish our gun rights and freedoms. In California there are regulations involving each of the things you mentioned. The anti gunners are using these kinds of laws here to advance their gun control and elimination efforts. Too much Government control. We all have the responsibility to use, handle and store our firearms properly. Just like all the other potentially dangerous tools we have in modern life, ie power tools, automobiles, etc. But in the U.S.A. we have the choice of keeping loaded firearms in our homes, vehicles and on our person for protection, hunting or any other reason. Firearms are not just for collecting, hunting and target practice. The U.S.A has been a culture of guns for all levels of citizens since the pioneers first arrived. Most of Europe has been a culture for some time now, where only the elite and few licensed citizens may posses firearms for collecting, hunting or target practice, but not for protection! European laws typically require all your firearms to be locked up unloaded and ammo locked up separately in your home. ie not kept for protection. My point is to try and educate you as to why we in the U.S.A. don't want the regulations you suggest. Those regulations are fighting words to me, a firearms enthusiast who understands that these seemingly 'sensible regulations' are just the means to erode and destroy our rights and freedoms. Death by a thousand cuts if you will. Since you are European, I don't take offense to your naivete, but your are dead wrong in your suggestion the U.S.A. should adopt such strict regulations. It is too late perhaps for England, Canada, Australia, Greenland and Europe, but not the U.S.A. ! Not yet at least. Sorry for the rant everyone, but it just boils my blood when someone here (in the U.S.A.) is ignorant enough to suggest these 'sensible regulations'. Best wishes to you RSHAW, I have no ill will towards you, just to what you propose. Mark
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