The craftmanship and engineering that goes into creating, well weapons is what they are, items is staggering and each has its own beauty and worth to the user or guardian.

How people throughout the ages have taken these discoveries and inventions to turn them into killing aids is utterly mind-blowing and sad.

Even bows and arrows have become a menace.

None of them kill discriminately or destroy lives and families by themselves. It takes a person to wield or aim them at another to cause damage. However, the weapon is often portrayed as the criminal or bad egg. Yet they can be a thing of artistic beauty in the eyes of some and make the perfect ornament.

There is massive debate around the world as to their relevance in society today and a greater movement wants to see them banned. On the one hand I must agree but what happens when something is banned or made illegal? It goes on anyway but within the dark recesses of our society and that is a fact is the simple answer. With that comes a deregulation of manufacture and production resulting in poor quality, illegal marketing and finally even more tragedy.

People point fingers at the American culture that anyone can bear arms and thus readily do. So long as one passes the criminal and health checks then knives, bows, pistols and rifles can be purchased and carried. Okay some states are stricter than others, I am sure, but the bottom factor is that they are out there. I think it should be law to restrict and make gun ownership harder but the sad case is that they are out there anyway and I am sure to get a “clean” weapon is not that hard for the right amount of greenbacks.

Certainly, weapons used correctly and safely are fine. There are many clubs around that offer tuition, storage, advice and places to have fun without endangering people, wildlife and property. The sport can be very demanding and uplifting. One will learn discipline, calmness and a discovery of humbleness at the hands on experience if allowed to use and learn properly. It does not mean that everyone or anyone has to become a killer.

Its does however, make me  sad to think that more police officers around the world have to carry increasingly more powerful and better weapons so they can put down the mad few. A bit like having to equip vehicles with bigger engines, body protection and cameras to chase and catch the criminal on the move.

But I think the maddest aspect is being able to own a gun at home and use it. It only takes a bad argument fueled with drink and or drugs to get out of control. Boom!!! Game over and not only is the life of the victim lost but the grief of the shooter will ruin their life too and friends and family associated with the ones involved.

A beautiful picture in an ornate frame is something of pleasure and reflection but when removed from the wall and hurled at another suddenly becomes a missile of deadly proportions.

Idiots and the irresponsible should not be allowed cars, tools, kids, animals or have access to drink or drugs but the sad truth is that we cannot discriminate and anyway who is to say one person is safe and someone else is a danger?

So be safe, report the ones who are not and respect the art but don’t hide away from weapons as the less one knows the harder it is to protect.