>I'm confused. Charles used the same argument you've used in the past for marijuana and hash. Wasn't your argument that the fact those substances are illegal in the U.S. contributes (if it doesn't create) to more violent crime?

Different case.

Guns are directly related to violence, drugs are not. The purpose of using drugs is to get a high feeling. The purpose of guns is (you fill in yourself)....


For drugs the relationship is different. Since (soft) drugs are illegal in the US (well they are up here, but the usage is tolerated and the supply is regulated through coffee shops), the market is suppressed in the criminal circuit. The market prices of drugs in the US are many times higher than up here.

This essentially means two things:
- An addict has to get much more money (through crime) to get his shot
- There is a lot more money to be made with dealing drugs having an effect on drug crime in general (assasinations, drug robbery, etc).


(Soft) Drugs in itself are far less deadly than guns or even alcohol. It has to be put in the same category of smoking and alcohol. Yes we all know we can get lung cancer from smoking and yes we know we do stupid things when drinking alcohol. Can you tell me where you'd place the usage of marijana and hash ?

Marijana in particular also has a medicinal application as well.






>
>>Charles,
>>
>>>>You're not allowed to take that weapon into the country. There might be certain circumstances where you might (sports or hunting) but you need the paperwork and diplomas (hunting).
>>>
>>>Odd that a country with such an enlightened attitude about not trying to control human behavior with outright legal prohibition thinks that such a law will magically protect it from firearms. If I buy a pistol in France ( would take me less than an hour after arriving a C. DeGaulle ) and drove into Holland, would I have trouble getting through border security? And given that such firearms could not be purchased legally in Holland, wouldn't the firearm be worth more than it's retail price in the underworld of Amsterdam? And wouldn't that be an incentive for bringing guns into the country? ( much like drugs in the US )
>>>
>>>I am not saying it is not commendable that you are trying to keep a gun culture from developing if one does not already exist, but I don't believe it is much of a deterrant - and may even be an incentive - for those already committed to a lifestyle that involves breaking the law.
>>
>>It is not that it is impossible to carry a gun up here. As you said you can buy a gun elsewhere and illegally get it into the country. However it being illegal makes the availability of guns low. So suicide, accidents and impulsive actions are less likely to occur with guns. Criminals still will carry guns.... that is not something we can prevent. We cannot prevent people getting shot by illegal guns. However we can prevent all the other crap that goes with the widespread availability of guns.
>>
>>However as indicated on wikipedia, I don't believe in carrying guns for protection as the chance of beeing hurt when trying to use it probably exceeds the benefit. Moreover, criminals will get armed better if they know the victims are armed as well. Its a vicious circle.
>>
>>And again, I agree it is difficult to break out that circle, but I'm sure it can be done.
>>
>>Walter,