British Comedy Guide

Comedy fights off Tescoification Page 3

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 3 2009, 1:10 AM BST

Can you still buy ammunition at Wal-Mart in the US, or did they eventually agree to stop selling it after Bowling For Colombine? The idea of being able to buy bullets in the supermarket amazes and appals me, I have to say.

Wal-Mart wasn't a supermarket in the early days. They've only recently begun going after the grocery market. Not all stores have a grocery section.

I used to live near a combination liquor store and gun shop in a small town in California. I did a double take the first time I walked inside.

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 3 2009, 1:10 AM BST

Can you still buy ammunition at Wal-Mart in the US, or did they eventually agree to stop selling it after Bowling For Colombine? The idea of being able to buy bullets in the supermarket amazes and appals me, I have to say.

You can't buy firearms or ammunition in a British supermarket but you can by a £5 bottle of vodka.

Considering that alcohol is the number one reason for the vast majority of violence and murder in the UK, thank goodness we're not like those 'silly' Americans who sell guns and ammunition in their supermarkets. Whistling nnocently

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 3 2009, 1:10 AM BST

Can you still buy ammunition at Wal-Mart in the US, or did they eventually agree to stop selling it after Bowling For Colombine? The idea of being able to buy bullets in the supermarket amazes and appals me, I have to say.

I think it was a K-Mart that was the subject of Mike Moore's spleen in Bowling For Columbine - and yes, apparently K-Mart did subsequently stop selling handguns and ammo.

I don't think I was saying everything is rosy in the garden over here, whilst those crazy Yanks buy bullets from a pic'n'mix section, RC. And I don't think cost has much at all to do with the drink culture over here. Mass-market alcohol was relatively less expensive in the 1950s than today. (And I think the US has just as many problems with alcohol related crime as do per capita. A different culture related to drinking, yes, but still a lot of alcohol related violence.)

Quote: Kenneth @ October 3 2009, 2:24 PM BST

I think it was a K-Mart that was the subject of Mike Moore's spleen in Bowling For Columbine - and yes, apparently K-Mart did subsequently stop selling handguns and ammo.

Cheers, I stand corrected. :)

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ October 3 2009, 1:13 PM BST

Considering that alcohol is the number one reason for the vast majority of violence and murder in the UK, thank goodness we're not like those 'silly' Americans who sell guns and ammunition in their supermarkets. Whistling nnocently

Thank Christ indeed. The Home Office says about half of all reported violence in the UK is alcohol-related. In nearly half (45%) of all violent incidents, victims believed offenders to be under the influence of alcohol... 37% of domestic violence cases involve alcohol.

Guns are revolting, although fine in the movies and make-believe. But the notion of owning a weapon that is designed to take the life of other people - horrible.

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 3 2009, 2:27 PM BST

(And I think the US has just as many problems with alcohol related crime as do per capita. A different culture related to drinking, yes, but still a lot of alcohol related violence.)

Plenty of alcohol-related crime here, especially domestic violence. But there's a big difference when it comes to public drinking, intoxication and the violence that comes with it. I can't remember the last time I saw a drunk person staggering down the street in the States, but I've seen it several times each time I've visited England. Public drinking, threatening behavior, loud yelling at night, pissing and puking in the street - I've seen it all on my visits, but I don't see that kind of thing here. Public drinking, intoxication, disorderly conduct and street-pissing will get you locked up very quickly in the United States.

P.S. Kmart is a crumbling empire; there aren't many stores around these days. Wal-Mart nearly put them out of business and now Target is eating both of their lunches.

Quote: Kenneth @ October 3 2009, 2:27 PM BST

But the notion of owning a weapon that is designed to take the life of other people - horrible.

You just reminded me that I'd planned to drop in on the huge gun show that's in town this weekend. It opened a few hours ago and the best deals will be gone by now. :(

Are you like David Walliams' gun character in Little Britain USA?

Quote: AndreaLynne @ October 3 2009, 2:29 AM BST

This is where I live. It's a shitty little article, but gives you a rough idea.

Ooh, nice place!
Is this your house, Andrea?

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Quote: Moonstone @ October 3 2009, 9:19 PM BST

Are you like David Walliams' gun character in Little Britain USA?

I can't even remember the character. That probably says a lot about what I thought about the program.

Quote: zooo @ October 3 2009, 9:35 PM BST

Ooh, nice place!
Is this your house, Andrea?

Image

:O

That house is a block away from me! The guy who owns it is a prick.

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