Steve you are making my argument very well.
I put those observations down to show that there appears to be a massive gulf in thinking about gun ownership in Australia versus the USA.
Your thinking personifies that gulf.
As for some of the other issues that your last post dragged into the debate well you asked for this.
I happen to be an Intensive Care doctor (you didn't know that did you) who knows far better that you about iatrogenic (doctor-caused) harm because I deal with it in my ICU on a daily basis. I do regular battle with collegues about this issue (to the point where some of them wish they could put a bullet in me) and so am sometimes regarded as a polecat.
Also, although traffic-related injuries and deaths, in global terms are minimal in Australia - even one is too many.
Additionally, my medical career started in South Africa where traffic-related injury and death is appallingly, obscenely, and criminally, high.
That is not all.
I witnessed, in battlefield-like conditions, the appalling carnage made possible by unrestricted access to weapons of any sort never mind those currently accepted as military grade weaponry.
I have several late and lamented friends from South Africa who were trained Special Forces soldiers ("reccies") and policemen who carried guns all the time (especially when in civvies - and quite legally) who are all dead, killed by criminals, and had no chance despite their immense training and capabilities. Sadly them bearing arms contributed to their deaths since they all went for their weapons when caution would have been the better option or they were killed because they were found to be carrying weapons by the criminals despite their caution.
Unlike you, I will not speculate about your experiences, expertise, interests, and concerns, I will, however, put forward observations and opinions based on direct, and unfortunately very unpleasant, experience.
Tony Jay
1. What argument was that Tony? Other than your claim there's some big gulf? Was that it?
2. Tony, there is no more gulf between the way you think and the way gun control advocates feel in the USA.. But there is a huge gulf between what you say and Australians I've known for years. The biggest one is they've never purported to speak for their entire country, only themselves.
3. My personality.. wow. I didn't know we've even kissed yet and there you go knowing all about me. I think you're merely hearing what you were pre-disposed to hear. So far I think there is only one person in this thread who has actually "heard" what I've been saying.
4. Asked for what? I never asked for your resume though big surprise a doctor doesn't like guns. Not an entirely new concept.
5. I didn't know and I don't see how you can consider it any big surprise. First it needs to be relevant. Second, someone needs to care. I haven't asked anyone what their primary job is. All I've cared about is if they actually understand the topic, and then what they think about the topic. You seem to think its' a big deal you're a doctor. Congratulations, but what does it have to do with the topic at hand?
6. Too bad you couldn't have got in a better school. Did you think you're the only one who's lived overseas in third world countries? Welcome to my world Jay.. welcome to my world..
7. You witnessed battlefield "like" conditions. I'm sorry, I've been in the battlefield and in more than a few third world countries. There is nothing "like" an actual battlefield though you can be forgiven for thinking so. Btw - The US is not a battlefield or even "like" one.
8. Such is war. I'm sorry for your friends. But people die in war, they die falling off a ladder. Despite their training. Sad but true. Why, did someone tell you if you carried a gun for self defence it would save you 100% of the time? That it was magic? Or are you going to tell us them having a weapon is the reason they're dead? I'm listening.
9. Hehe.. that's exactly what you were trying to do. These "immensely" trained special ops guys went for their guns and that's why they died. It's almost too good to be true from your POV, without it you wouldn't have had this winning example. Tony, I know something about the subject. I've been around such men my entire adult life. I've never heard of a more unlikely set of circumstances.
10. Go ahead, guess away. I don't get this "unlike you" part, did I let it slip out I didn't think you were a photographer? I don't think I did.
11. Boy, that's good to know. Now the people here won't have to listen to the stuff I've been making up based on no experience, training, or opinions either..
Tony. No offence digger, but you're let yourself down in a terrible way. Rarely do I see someone shoot themselves in the foot with such a large caliber bullet (pardon the metaphor), in public.. Such a treat.