For those of you who say we should not have gun control, I say "Enough is enough!"

The fact of the matter is, we've been doing it YOUR way -- weapons all over the place with no gun control to speak of -- and your way FAILED. We've been trying it your way, and it doesn't work.

Now we need to change. We need to try a new approach. Now we need to try it MY way. We need a change from business as usual. We need strict gun control laws.

And while we're at it, let's outlaw hunting too. Killing animals should not be a sport. The only people who should have a right to kill an animal should be licensed individuals who work in plants where the animals are prepared for food.

Some say that hunting helps to keep herd sizes manageable and healthy, and without hunting there would be an over-abundance of many animals. My response to that is we should have professionals whose job it is to thin out the herds. Killing animals should not be sport.

There is too much violence in this country, and we need change. We need new ways of doing things -- ways that don't involve using guns. We can't continue to have "business as usual".

I heard on Piers Morgan on CNN tonight that when Israeli citizens want to get a gun, they have to show their ID, take a training course, and are limited to just 50 bullet per lifetime! And that's in a nation that is constantly under attack by terrorists.

If Israel can impose such restrictions under such adverse conditions, surely we can.

Israel

It is forbidden in Israel to own any kind of firearm, including air pistols and rifles, without a firearms license.

Israel Defense Forces officers honorably discharged with the rank of non-commissioned officer, reservists honorably discharged with the rank of regimental commander, ex-special forces enlisted men, retired police officers with the rank of sergeant, retired prison guards with the rank of squadron commander, licensed public transportation drivers transporting a minimum of five people, and full-time dealers of jewellery or large sums of cash or valuables, Civil Guard volunteers, and residents of militarily strategic buffer zones considered essential to state security are eligible for licenses allowing them to possess one handgun. Reservists honorably discharged with the rank of regimental commander are also eligible for licences allowing them to possess one rifle. Licensed hunters may possess one shotgun, and licensed animal-control officers are allowed to possess two rifles while Civil Guard snipers may possess one rifle.

To legally own a gun as a souvenir, prize, inheritance, or award of appreciation from the military, an individual must first present proper documentation that they are about to receive it. Permits for gun collectors are extremely rare, and typically only given to ex-high-ranking officers.

To obtain a gun license, an applicant must be a resident of Israel for at least three consecutive years, have no criminal record, be in good health, have no history of mental illness, pass a weapons-training course, and be over a certain age (20 for women who completed military service or civil service equivalent, 21 for men who completed military service or civil service equivalent, 27 for those who did not complete military service or civil service equivalent, 45 for residents of East Jerusalem).

Gun licenses must be renewed every three years and permits are given only for personal use, not for business in the firearms sale while holders for self-defense purposes may own only one handgun, and may purchase a maximum of fifty rounds a year, except for those shot at firing ranges.

Residents of Israeli settlements in the West Bank are issued assault rifles and ammunition by the army, and are given civil defense training. However, the rifles and munitions are property of the army, and may be confiscated at any time.

Members of officially recognized shooting clubs (practical shooting, Olympic shooting) are eligible for personal licenses allowing them to possess additional firearms (small bore rifles, handguns, air rifles and air pistols) after demonstrating a need and fulfilling minimum membership time and activity requirements. Unlicensed individuals are allowed supervised use of pistols at firing ranges. Following a number of cases of firearm-related suicides at firing ranges, private individuals who do not own firearms are required to present a certificate of good conduct and a physician's health declaration in order to shoot at commercial firing ranges.

Self-defense firearms may be carried in public, concealed or openly. Israel is notable for being a country with few places where firearms are off limits to licensed individuals (private premises, some government offices and institutions, courts).

In addition to private licenses of firearms, organizations can issue carry licenses to their members for activity related to that organization (e.g. security companies, shooting clubs, other workplaces).

Soldiers are allowed to carry their personal weapons and ammunition while on furlough during active service, uniformed or in civilian clothing.

In 2005, there were 236,879 private citizens and 154,000 security guards licensed to carry firearms. Another 34,000 Israelis who were previously licensed own guns illegally due to their failure to renew their gun license.[64][65]

The regulation for gun ownership became stricter following the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. Before that, there were virtually no restrictions on gun ownership. Gun ownership in Israel is now considered a privilege and not a right.[

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics#Israel