School Shotings and Weapons Ban

[honeybee]

So, any change of mind after the latest school shootings? Or is it just going to be treated as "yet another accident"?

If ordinary citizens find it necessary to carry firearms for "self-defense", I can only say the state of law and order in the US is absolutely horrible.

But then, that's my personal view

.

[dglienna]

It is illegal to carry a weapon in all but a few of the states, so I don't think most people think that everyone in the US is armed. The big thing is that if a burglar breaks into your house, he doesn't know if you have a weapon, but both he and yourself know that you have the right to shoot him if you find him in your house.
Keeps the peace, to some extent.

[Valleysboy1978]

It is illegal to carry a weapon in all but a few of the states, so I don't think most people think that everyone in the US is armed. The big thing is that if a burglar breaks into your house, he doesn't know if you have a weapon, but both he and yourself know that you have the right to shoot him if you find him in your house.
Keeps the peace, to some extent.

I can't see how that would "keep the peace", only encourage a burglar to shoot you before robbing you.
I think I'd rather he take my stuff than take my life, given the choice. Considering most other western countries have a ban on firearms they are doing well enough, and it's only in the US that these school shootings seem to occur.

[Xanith]

I can't see how that would "keep the peace", only encourage a burglar to shoot you before robbing you.
I think I'd rather he take my stuff than take my life, given the choice. Considering most other western countries have a ban on firearms they are doing well enough, and it's only in the US that these school shootings seem to occur.

Just something interesting I found...

"The 2000 International Crime Victimization Survey, the last survey done, shows the violent-crime rate in England and Wales was twice the rate in the U.S. When the new survey for 2004 comes out, that gap will undoubtedly have widened even further as crimes reported to British police have since soared by 35%, while declining 6% in the U.S."

Looks like "well enough" is not exactly cutting it.

X

[Cander]

Just something interesting I found...

"The 2000 International Crime Victimization Survey, the last survey done, shows the violent-crime rate in England and Wales was twice the rate in the U.S. When the new survey for 2004 comes out, that gap will undoubtedly have widened even further as crimes reported to British police have since soared by 35%, while declining 6% in the U.S."

Looks like "well enough" is not exactly cutting it.

X

Thats probably only during Football season.

[dglienna]

I can't see how that would "keep the peace", only encourage a burglar to shoot you before robbing you.
I think I'd rather he take my stuff than take my life, given the choice. Considering most other western countries have a ban on firearms they are doing well enough, and it's only in the US that these school shootings seem to occur.

Most burglars are just trying to come up with some cash for their latest "fix", and, thus, are unlikely to be armed. they usually prefer when their victims aren't home.

[MasterBlaster]

Most burglars are just trying to come up with some cash for their latest "fix", and, thus, are unlikely to be armed. they usually prefer when their victims aren't home.

True, but are you willing to bet your life on that? Personally I'd rather pump a few slugs in him first and then hear his sad story about why he was cleaning out my house.

[dglienna]

If he was still alive

[rdove]

It is illegal to carry a weapon in all but a few of the states,

That isn't really true at all. In most states you can apply for a consealed carry permit, which allows you to carry your gun legally in most places. As long as you haven't committed any major crimes, it is relatively easy to get one of those permits in most states. If you take a hand gun class you can apply for a Non-Resident Flordia permit which allows you to carry your firearm in about 34 states.

[dglienna]

I've never heard that, and I have never seen anyone with a weapon on them out in the open (non-concealed) except for police officials. Concealed is another thing altogether, and most of those were illicit, at least in my state.

I think if I had been carrying a gun, that I would have shot someone by now, so it's better off that I haven't. Lots of people are getting shot over traffic disputes. Glad it never happened to me.

[honeybee]

I never thought about this angle:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4386653.stm

But then since he didn't make any statement till it was too late, this angle could actually be true.

.

[yrwyddfa]

It is of course still legal to bear arms but I believe that it's not legal to arm bears.

On more restrained note I think that the following logic applies

(i) Guns are available
(ii) Some people will have guns
(iii) Some people are mad
(iv) Some people who are mad will have guns
(v) Unhappy consequences such as reported today

I can't see how you can make guns unavailable through legislation. Americans (as far as I know) enjoy their right to bear arms.

Perhaps some form of stricter licensing is required.

[davebat]

So, any change of mind after the latest school shootings? Or is it just going to be treated as "yet another accident"?

If ordinary citizens find it necessary to carry firearms for "self-defense", I can only say the state of law and order in the US is absolutely horrible.

I dont think theres that many americans who walk the streets armed with guns, this was a mass murder. Im sure in Perfectville where you come from things like this dont happen, but in the real world people do some stupid crazy things

[dglienna]

they even require trigger locks to prevent tragedy in the home.

[NotLKH]

So, any change of mind after the latest school shootings?

No, I still think its a shame they cancelled "Friends"

Or is it just going to be treated as "yet another accident"?
If ordinary citizens find it necessary to carry firearms for "self-defense",

Surely even you can see this kid {the bad guy, law breaker, grandparent executioner} is the reason why some {the good guys} would want to carry guns for protection.

I can only say the state of law and order in the US is absolutely horrible.

Hmmm, lets see...the original show, Special Victims Unit, Criminal Intent, Trial By Jury, ... Yep! I agree!
We need More Law and Order!
...Or more CSI.
...Or another Monk or two...

But then, that's my personal view

Thats ok, I forgive you.

[crptcblade]

Damned Native Americans, I blame all the firewater.

[BodwadUK]

We had a stabbing in a school here in the UK. Kids can get weapons its just a matter of how nuts they are.

[crptcblade]

One time this kid sent a Komodo Dragon after another guy and it knocked him down and tore his face off. True story.

[davebat]

if you search for "Jeff Weise" on google (the killer) you'll see he posted on nazi forums.

[MasterBlaster]

So, any change of mind after the latest school shootings? Or is it just going to be treated as "yet another accident"?

If ordinary citizens find it necessary to carry firearms for "self-defense", I can only say the state of law and order in the US is absolutely horrible.

But then, that's my personal view

.

Erm. He was an American Indian, not an ordinary citizen. US government laws are generally not enforced on reservations. Bottom line if a Native wants a gun, he can pretty much have one regardless of the law.

There is a problem with outlawing guns specific to the US. There are so many weapons available on the black market, If you outlaw the sale of legal firearms only criminals will have guns. I don't bash that craphole of a country you live in. Don't bash the craphole of a country I live in.