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Maybe the government should open up self-defense training sessions for civilians. They could train you the same way they train police officers. Those that want to take the course would pay the bulk of the costs, and the taxpayers pay for the rest. And of course, they have the other safety courses that are required by law for you to take unless you decide to train.

Do they have age limits? What would be a reasonable age? (ponders)

To the best of my understanding, the government would never provide police training to civilians, any more than they would allow civilians to own most of the weaponry available to police departments. Besides, most civilian training courses are conducted by police officers (current and retired) anyway.

As far as age limits, a minimum of 12 seems about right. I'm sure I'm going to catch a shit storm for that statement, but it's my belief that, in combination with proper storage procedures, early education on the proper handling of firearms, with an emphasis on the dangers of mishandling them, could go a long way to preventing firearm-related fatalities in the home. If kids know what a gun can do, before they see one in Dad's sock drawer or some fucking stupid place, they'll be less curious and less likely to look on it as a toy to be played with.

As far as an upper age limit goes, I think that would have to be evaluated on a case by case basis as well. I've known people in their 80s who were quite proficient and safe with firearms. I've known people in their 50s to whom I wouldn't entrust an ice-cream scoop.

Darth Wong wrote: D) Some sort of minimum education level (for example, high-school dropouts are definitely too stupid to own guns).

Unhun. I've fired and handled rifles and shotguns since before I even entered high school, and since starting 10th grade several handguns as well, never had an accident or come even remotely close to hitting another person. Couple deer and smaller animals though. I never did have any formal instruction, just my father and second cousin teaching me.

Overall intelligence and education and your ability to safely handle a firearm are not very closely releated. I know collage grads who I woundn't want see with an air rifle, and D average 13 year olds with ADD who I'd trust with loaded Mac-10's.

Well, he's a Jedi Master... he should be okay...

Thanks for responding, Mike. I hadn't considered points C and D.

Yay for Australia for having strict but fair gun control.

If you need a gun you can get one. If you don't then you can't.