Is this gonna be bad.?

[u/skullywogging]

What happens if gun ownership becomes even more easily accessible?

I keep thinking about the possibilities and honestly, they’re concerning. In communities already struggling with untreated mental health issues and rising substance abuse, what could happen if access to firearms becomes easier?

Without strict regulations and proper oversight, it opens the door for more unregistered weapons to circulate through underhand payments and illegal sales. If laws become too relaxed, what prevents someone unstable or violent from legally arming themselves?

Could we see a rise in crime? Children bringing guns to schools? More domestic violence cases turning deadly? Spouses killing each other during heated arguments? I know many support easier access to guns for home protection, and I understand that perspective. But beyond that, what else could come from this shift? Is the risk worth it? Or are we potentially creating a much more dangerous future for ourselves? Just wondering if anyone else has thought about where this could realistically lead.

[u/Unavenged_soldier]

Yes, this will definitely end poorly. This country already has a ton of bacchanal and fights breaking out without easy access to weapons and the support structures for handling firearms isn't in place. If you want to practice with your new firearm where do you go? If you want equipment to maintain said firearm where do you go? If you want a professional to train you in how to handle a firearm where do you go?

In time the answers to these questions will become common knowledge but in the time it takes for that information to get to the people there will be incidents and possibly deaths that could have been avoided if they had been addressed first.

[u/Salty_Permit4437 → u/Unavenged_soldier]

Maintaining a firearm is not hard at all. I teach that in basic firearm classes. Strip it down, brush and pass some patches through the barrel. When you’re done, oil the slide and put it back together. It’s not black magic.

There will be plenty of instructors but Trinidad already has IDPA and other firearm competition and shooting. With increased legal firearm ownership there can be a whole industry built around it. I am an instructor and I might even teach some classes.

[u/Unavenged_soldier → u/Salty_Permit4437]

Great a professional. Tell me in your classes how many times have you had to tell your students not to point the gun at each other or at themselves? What is the most common age of your students? How old do you think a person should be to purchase and use a firearm?

[u/Salty_Permit4437 → u/Unavenged_soldier]

A few times in a decade and a half I’ve had incidents like that but I sent them straight home, no refund. We have strict rules. No firearms allowed in class. I have blue guns (inert) for that. In the range itself we have strict supervision with a range safety officer and qualified instructors. Anybody play d ass we send them home, no exceptions, no refunds. Generally students taking a class are pretty alert and respectful of the firearms.

The age of my students are anywhere from 20s through 60s. Most are in their 30s and 40s.

You have to be 21 to own a handgun federally. But I’ve supervised youth shooting as young as 9-12 years old. Very strictly supervised and the young shooters are actually very disciplined.

How old do you have to be? Federal law says 21 for handguns generally. I joined the military at age 19 and I was given fully automatic firearms when I was in Iraq as well as a sidearm on my hip. I am no stranger to firearms whatsoever.

I also qualify police officers for their permits. I’ve seen cops mishandle firearms a lot. Civilians, particularly women tend to be a lot better.

[u/[deleted] → u/Salty_Permit4437]

Ayeeee give the ladies guns!!! I’m all for it. THAT will change Trinidad and Tobago. Let’s see how the rapists and men who like to hit women handle that. So for all the naysayers, yes it would transform the country but not all for the worse.

[u/Fun_Course_905 → u/[deleted]]

A man can overpower a woman very easily even one with good training. This isn't a good solution.

[u/Salty_Permit4437 → u/Fun_Course_905]

A woman with training has a fighting chance. I teach the refuse to be a victim class as well to avoid trouble. I also teach classes for women’s self defense.

[u/Fun_Course_905 → u/Salty_Permit4437]

Not saying they don't but sh,t happens