Petition to Allow Concealed Handguns In The UK

Created by Graham Showell on 04/07/2008

Category: Human Rights
Region: All
Target: Change In UK Law

Hi,

My name is Graham Showell, I'm 32 and from the West Midlands, England.
Having been a victim of violent crime on a number of occasions, including 2 attacks at knife point, I feel something needs to be done to reduce crime and protect people in this country.

I'm asking the government to allow law abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns, something which has greatly reduced crime in the United States.

Successive governments have increased restrictions on gun ownership on the assumption that it would reduce crime.

Unfortunately, this has not led to the decrease in crime they hoped for, but instead it's led to to a massive increase.

Statistics show that violent crime is lowest in those parts of the world where legal private gun ownership is highest.

In the United States, crime has been reduced because many criminals are not prepared to risk their lives by trying to attack, rob or rape someone who may be armed.

The simple fact is that by disarming honest citizens, Britain has actually helped criminals, who now go about their business without fear.

Take a look at the following statistics -

England Murder Rate
1987 - 1.19 per 100,000 people.
2008 - 2.03 per 100,000 people.
( 70.5 percent increase )

United States Murder Rate
1987 - 8.03 per 100,000 people
2008 - 5.70 per 100,000 people
(29 percent decrease )

England Violent Crime Rate
1988 - 400 per 100,000 people
2006 - 1400 per 100,000 people
(250 percent increase)

United States Violent Crime Rate
1988 - 758.1 per 100,000 people
2006 - 473.5 per 100,000 people
(37 percent decrease)

United States Burglary Rate
1991 - 1349.8 per 100,000 people
2006 - 729.04 per 100,000 people
(45 percent decrease)

These statistics show that when law abiding citizens carry handguns in the US, the crime rate drops significantly.

In comparison, England's violent crime rate is 3 times that of the United States, and is increasing every year, Whilst the US violent crime rate continues to drop.

Statistics show that if only a very small percentage of the population carries concealed weapons, it creates a huge decrease in violent crime.

If the current trend continues, England will be one of the worlds most dangerous countries in less than 25 years.

I propose "shall issue" concealed carry permits similar to those currently issued in over 40 US States.

Permits would be automatically issued to all applicants, subject to the following conditions:

Minimum age of 21 years old.
No history of violent or sexual offences.
No history of serious mental illness, such as paranoid schizophrenia.
Completion of firearms safety course.

I propose that the 5 year minimum sentence for carrying a handgun should apply to all those who carry without permits.

Lets put some fear into criminals lives, and give the general public a chance to fight back !!!