The way things are going these days do you think that the government needs to look into authorizing Handguns for Local Business owners, Security officers in high risk areas and local citizens who qualify?
We all have the right to protect ourselves, our property and our families from criminals.

What are your thoughts on this subject?

i think that is it taking too long for the government to legalize handguns

If it's one thing thhey should be focusing on it's this.

Think of all of those rapists, murderers and robbers that could of been scared away with a simple hand gun.

:mad:

Lets also look at all of those rapists, murderers, robbers, gangs and so many other can walk around with a gun in possesion.

Legalizing guns has it's advantages, where innocent people can protect them sleves and their disadvantage, where criminals can walk around with guns, while some of us just hope and pray the younger ones who are constantly in their presence don't get a hold of it.

So this is something really to consider and the plan have to be bullet proof.

Also i think there should be another multiple choice up there cause for me, i don't wanna say yes neither no nor the last one. Their should be something else. I'm not saying wait until more people die by the hand of those diabolical criminals, I'm sayin wait, lets c what they offer us on that subject. Theirs gonna be trouble either way u put. So y not wait until.

With this one....I'm stuck in between.

Until next time................................

As far as business owners, Security officers and people that qualify,my answer is yes.

Qualify, though is the key.The criteria would have to be clearcut and strictly adhered to . For example:

1. Through background checks and investigations
2. Mandatory attendance for training and guidelines on 'safe' and effective use of these weapons. ( cost covered by licence fees)
3.Imprisonment for "backdoor"issuing of licences .(issuers and recipiants) No exceptions!!!!


I really don't understand how secure a security officer can make a place when the perpetrator has a gun and he doesn't.This would also mean more scrutiny for those in that profession.

Would this then encourage vigilante justice? - I don't know

Would this put more guns in the hands of criminals? - They seem to be able to get them when and how they want them now!!!

What happens to the mind of the individual who in self-defence kills for the first time?

All I know is in the Garden of Gethsemane Simon Peter was armed and ready with his sword and cut the high priest's servant's ear off. Today, that would probably be a Colt 45 or a sawedoff shot gun or something!

Kap

Since we are talking about hand guns lets look at our big sister the US and see how many hand guns were stolen and mishandled and did quite the opposite of which it was intended.

Or better yet how many business owners had there personal guns used on them. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Do you think that because of the recent murder of Arne Petersen ( a Grand Bahama business man ) and the incident at Outdoor Sportsman that this will be taken more into consideration by the Government of the Bahamas?

I feel that innocent lives where saved because the owner of Outdoor Sportsman had a gun in the store. Arne Petersen wasn't shot by his own gun and I have never heard of a businessman being shot by his own gun in the Bahamas before.

Just because you havent heard of it that does not mean it never happened (Delroy).

But I am sure you have heard of kids finding there parents gun and they got shot playing with it right.

I agree that there needs to be training and also background checks done on persons before they can qualify for handguns. You cant place weapons in any Tom, Dick and Harry's hands but I feel that it will be a great deterrent to criminals to even suspect that their potential victim is in possession of a firearm.

And about what you said in regards to “what if it is used on a sweetheart or girl/boyfriend cheating on them, or whatever.” Didn't you hear the report about the amount of crimes committed with Knives in Nassau? Remember the marital dispute last year in which the husband used a spear to kill his wife?

I think that at rate that crime is heading this year bullet proof vests would be a hot item of choice for Businessmen and politicians alike.

Delroy I would really like to know the type of people you would want to give a hand gun to.
And rory since you plan on wearing a bullet proff vest I know you dont care but what qualities you think qualifies a person to have a hand gun.
I feel that a hand gun in the ploice hand or correction the wrong officer hand could be dangerous anyone remembers two ploice officers who found there girlfreinds cheating and shoot them.

I don't know that a Handgun in the hand of a Business Owner means that we are serious about crime . The former Prime Minister said in a speech last year " good mothers don't lie and tell the police my son was home all night when he wasn't .Good Mothers don't send their sons to Miami to avoid Murder Charges." The Bahamian Society has changed a lot over the years. The mind set is one of money at all cost. Women do just about anything for it,men do just about anything to get it .Growing up as a child when someone did something dishonest to another they were a source of scorn from all that knew about it.Now a days the "fool" that allowed it to happen is laughed at .It is a common practice to "Swing " someone if you can. Get back to family values .Remember a strong church does not strengthen the family or nation .It's the opposite. Hand guns legalized in the Bahamas would being back the days of the Wild West . These Lawless persons have family and friends that protect and hide them.We all complain when it hits us but how many of us are willing to tell on a friend and family member who did or is doing something wrong.Build good commuities and not $300,000 homes where everyone trys to out do the next. The law book says that punishment for Murder is to Hang by the Neck until death .I am amused when I see the Police having "Traffic Checkpoints" and reporting persons for a blown head light. $ 80 fine .I guess the Government needs to fined for failing to carry out the Law the same way I will be fined of not obeying the Law that said I must stop on the Red .Wake up . My grandmother would say "the grass is growing and the horses are dying!!"

If I had a choice Rory ,I'd want one too!

There is no big reason for wanting a handgun except to give yourself a fighting chance. As it stands now, only the bad guys have handguns. It is time the good guys were allowed to defend themselves. It is as simple as that!

I have a shotgun and I never even pointed it at anyone. Since I got the gun I have been calmer. When I carry the gun I avoid conflict or arguments.

I feel we have a right to self-protection. We need a fighting chance. Right now the law gives the advantage to the bad guys.

Women especially should be allowed guns. They need a fighting chance against the rapists. Rape-murders seem to be the order of the day.

I believe that guns should be legalized only for people who qualify. My reason for this is we live in a society where we have people who find pleasure in violating other people. Therefore those who are found to be eligible should have the right to protect themselves against these crimes How else are we suppose to protect ourselves since knives are illegal and if guns were to become illegal. Our Bahamian police are not what they are suppose to be therfore we as citizens should have the right to protect ourselves if the police are not going to

Hi everyone. I am a new member of your forum.

I think hand guns should be legal. It sounds strange comming from the company that sells Taser Stun Guns. But in my opinion the ability of Bahamians to effectivly protect themselves is so important. Being in the business of protection for the past 6 years and also a victim myself, I know what being defenseless is. I have seen more rape and abused victims than most can handle. everyone will have their own opinion on the issue. but I feel that every man should make his own choice if he wants a gun. When I introduced the Taser stun gun in the Bahamas in 1999 there were people saying that it will be used to rape and murder people. todate (14th July, 2003) with thousands in circulation there has been no problems reported. Only customers that used the product to protect themselves or a family member.
I agree with legalizing the hand gun because you should be able to choose what you think will work for you. You should not have to purchase a stun gun because it is the only product available. in closing. i will ask a question. Have any of you ever looked in the eyes of a woman who was recently raped? ( devestating). If you think that was bad, you should see her husband that was tied up and had to watch. he was also eventualy raped. Their home was invaded by a man. They had nothing to defend themselves against one man carrying a knife. The criminals have guns. Most bahamians do not. The Bahamas will not turn into the wild west if hand guns are introduced. it is already crazy. Now if you want to re-look at the question of hand guns, kindly put yourself in the shoe of that family. The issue is protection. The hand gun is only the ability to truly experience it.

Originally posted by Rory
Personally as soon as I can afford it im buying one of those stun guns, and a bullet proof vest! :-)

Stun Guns are GREAT party gags. ;-D