Firearms Not The Problem

I TAKE exception to your editorial of Friday 20 August “Crime and what to do about it”, which states that the key to crime control is gun control.

Where you get your cues from I do not know but these are the same failed policies implemented in the Anglo Saxon countries which seem bent on exporting it to their former colonial charges. It is common knowledge that violent crime has skyrocketed in the UK since firearm confiscation.Perhaps ones should look to the cause of crime in the air of permissiveness and licence encouraged by society ie. it’s okay kid, its not your fault, you were disadvantaged.I note that in your editorial you condemn the owner of the firearm that was stolen but not the thief who stole it in the first place.Do not tell me it is unemployment.There are many people who scratch for a living in trash cans but do not attack their fellows.Calls for the authorities to “do something” won’t solve the problem.History has shown that more police and more laws eventually lead to a police state with further erosion of civil liberties.To argue that the legal ownership of firearms by the citizens are a source for criminals is a hoary old story that has been disproved over hundreds of years.A firearm is an inanimate object with no mind of its own.Crime has been with us for thousands of years and always will be.A criminal has no problem in obtaining a weapon but where does this leave the disarmed law abiding citizen?A violent attack occurs in seconds.To expect the police to be everywhere at all times is ridiculous.To demand that the police are there to protect you is an abdication of your own responsibilities.In case of death or injury the police also have families of their own to consider.A criminal knows he has more rights than a citizen.The only deterrent is the knowledge that he will come seriously short if he attacks an intended victim.Namibia already has very strict firearm legislation.The authorities would do better to focus on crime prevention rather than harassing those thousands of private owners, hunters, sports shooters and collectors in the enjoyment of their hobby.As an aside you mention that HAN pointed out that tourism is in a bit of a slump in Namibia.Perhaps those gentlemen should look into price gouging in the industry?Jim Sutherland WindhoekIt is common knowledge that violent crime has skyrocketed in the UK since firearm confiscation.Perhaps ones should look to the cause of crime in the air of permissiveness and licence encouraged by society ie. it’s okay kid, its not your fault, you were disadvantaged.I note that in your editorial you condemn the owner of the firearm that was stolen but not the thief who stole it in the first place.Do not tell me it is unemployment.There are many people who scratch for a living in trash cans but do not attack their fellows.Calls for the authorities to “do something” won’t solve the problem.History has shown that more police and more laws eventually lead to a police state with further erosion of civil liberties.To argue that the legal ownership of firearms by the citizens are a source for criminals is a hoary old story that has been disproved over hundreds of years.A firearm is an inanimate object with no mind of its own.Crime has been with us for thousands of years and always will be.A criminal has no problem in obtaining a weapon but where does this leave the disarmed law abiding citizen?A violent attack occurs in seconds.To expect the police to be everywhere at all times is ridiculous.To demand that the police are there to protect you is an abdication of your own responsibilities.In case of death or injury the police also have families of their own to consider.A criminal knows he has more rights than a citizen.The only deterrent is the knowledge that he will come seriously short if he attacks an intended victim. Namibia already has very strict firearm legislation.The authorities would do better to focus on crime prevention rather than harassing those thousands of private owners, hunters, sports shooters and collectors in the enjoyment of their hobby.As an aside you mention that HAN pointed out that tourism is in a bit of a slump in Namibia.Perhaps those gentlemen should look into price gouging in the industry?Jim Sutherland Windhoek