UK Soldier Shot Colleague and Self [View All]

[Pert_UK]

"A drunk soldier on peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan blasted a colleague with bullets as he shouted "Do you think you're hard now?" before turning the gun on himself, an inquest has heard.

In August last year, Corporal John Gregory, 30, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, fired up to 10 bullets at Sergeant Robert Busuttil, also 30, from Sketty in Swansea, as he relaxed in a hammock at his military base at Kabul airport...

"Gregory struck Busuttil, Busuttil retaliated by striking Gregory several times to the head.

"They then made up and shook hands, but Gregory left the recreation area, coming back 40 minutes later with an SA80 rifle. "

Full article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3110422.stm

This is a tragedy. But here's the thing........If you can't trust trained, professional soldiers not to reach for and misuse a gun after an argument and a few beers, what makes you think you can trust your neighbour or any other member of the population?

This is one of the key objections to allowing the population to keep firearms, IMHO. No matter how responsible most owners are, it only takes a minority to lose the plot and tragedies like this follow.

OK, yes, I know, there are other weapons available - he could have reached for a knife, for example. But with a knife, there would have been a better chance for the victim to defend himself, or for bystanders to become quickly involved. No chance with a gun.

Just my thoughts........I know that the RKBA crowd are all very comfortable with their own gun ownership, but I'd be interested to know how they feel about other people owning guns.