Quote Originally Posted by indicagrower
can you honestly say that rifles are ok but shotguns not so much on the grounds that you don't need to "disintegrate the burglar's head".....you obviously don't know anything about guns...a 50cal. will take a mans head off at well over a mile away(research that before you say it's not true) "As I see it, handguns really serve no other purpose but to kill people. You don't hunt with a handgun"....we have deer seasons for pistols here in the us.......
I agree with Indicagrower completely. I read a quote somewhere, I think a military guy saying "pistols poke holes in things, rifles rip shit apart." A shotgun loaded with birdshot is actually nonlethal much of the time in a self defense setting, but it is certainly almost as effective as a pistol or rifle. Also, shotguns, at least in the US, are used for hunting deer, quail, dove, hogs, turkey, and used for recreational activities like skeet and trap shooting. Also, responsible citizens that take and pass a test in the US are allowed to carry concealed weapons(ie pistols) in their car for self defense. It is impossible to defend yourself out in public against a mugger or carjacker with a rifle, because you cant carry a rifle around with you!!! But I think we would all agree that their needs to be a strict enforcement of the requirements for owning and buying guns, so as to keep the guns out of criminals hands.