Quote: Marc P @ March 12 2010, 2:18 PM GMTThey send them through the mail?? Is that where the expression going postal comes from?
Are there guns in your books, Marc? And, if so, do you have to do research on them? In fact, do you do a lot of research for your writing?
Quote: chipolata @ March 12 2010, 2:25 PM GMTAre there guns in your books, Marc? And, if so, do you have to do research on them? In fact, do you do a lot of research for your writing?
Exhaustive research but only into the seedy underbelly of Soho!
Quote: Marc P @ March 12 2010, 2:18 PM GMTThey send them through the mail??
It's being sent via UPS. If you purchase a firearm from another state it must be shipped from the seller to a local dealer with a federal firearms license. I'm sure that the security of the package is satisfactory.
Some people always pack an unloaded handgun in their checked luggage when they fly. The TSA guard the bag every step of the way and there is almost zero chance that your stuff will be stolen or go missing.
Quote: Marc P @ March 12 2010, 2:26 PM GMTExhaustive research but only into the seedy underbelly of Soho!
Soho's not what it used to be!
Quote: Marc P @ March 12 2010, 2:26 PM GMTExhaustive research but only into the seedy underbelly of Soho!
And about me!? And Zooo! 
Is it home time yet?
Nearly.
Quote: Gavin @ March 12 2010, 3:05 PM GMTIs it home time yet?
1 hour and 40 mins left!!
Quote: EllieJP @ March 12 2010, 3:04 PM GMTAnd about me!? And Zooo!
One commits suicide and one's a prostitute. I had to choose which area to concentrate on!
Quote: Marc P @ March 12 2010, 3:19 PM GMTOne commits suicide and one's a prostitute. I had to choose which area to concentrate on!
Suicide surely.
Hows the FCP work going matey?
Quote: DaButt @ March 12 2010, 1:51 PM GMTThat quote came from the Brady Campaign, which is the most virulent anti-gun organization in the country, so I wouldn't take their word as gospel. That said, there are a few points worth mentioning:
1) I'm sure that alleged 21x figure includes suicides. Americans choose firearms (60% of the time) to end their lives while people in the UK jump in front of trains and make your morning commute even worse. The number of firearm suicides in the U.S. is greater than the total number of murders in this country.
2) By virtue of the fact that our citizens can freely own firearms, our homes and well-being are already protected. Our overall rate of burglary and assault are lower than in the UK because people know that they are liable to be shot if they kick down a door or mug someone in the street. Burglaries of occupied dwellings and random acts of street violence are very unusual here.
3) Most importantly, the man was an idiot for leaving a gun within reach of a child. As far as I'm concerned, idiots shouldn't be allowed to possess firearms.
There's several oddities in the published story.
You say "Burglaries of occupied dwellings and random acts of street violence are very unusual here." but that was the claimed reason why the loaded gun was on the table & not in its secure location.
The mother while only 3 feet from the child didn't notice she was handling the REAL gun. "When Cheyenne fired the gun, Ashe said, her mother, Tina Ann Cronberger, 32, was within three feet of her child. Cheyenne was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. "
The stepfather didn't engage the safety catch when he put the gun down on the table. An action that ought to be practically a reflex for anyone accustomed to firearms.
A real gun is pretty heavy. It is surprising that a toddler could even lift it.
Suffice to say Gavin I am using imovie today. 
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Pity that the child didn't shoot the stepfather instead. That would be "evolution in Action"
Somebody's just used the word cronkly here. "This computer's very cronkly today!" they said.
Quote: Marc P @ March 12 2010, 3:31 PM GMTSuffice to say Gavin I am using imovie today.
Ahhh bummer. Keep at it man 