Romani, I also have seen articles that say ISIS is getting more aggressive about claiming attacks that they turn out to have nothing to do with. I just read one now, but can’t find it again.
So let’s agree: Historically, ISIS did not claim attacks except when they were actually responsible. Recently, they have claimed some attacks where they weren’t responsible.
What the heck is a “gun apologist” who is apologizing here? I don’t think that any one is apologizing for this guy’s behavior.
I see no reason to accept your categorization of what constitutes respect for victims. And somehow, respect for equally innocent victims of Islamist terrorists doesn’t require shutting up about the causes of their deaths. Why is that, do you suppose? Why do we have to shut up about gun violence after a gun killing, but we don’t have to shut up about Islamic terrorism after a terrorist killing?
If I am ever gunned down by a mass killer, I hereby give my permission for you to wait zero seconds before talking about how to prevent the next mass gun killing, so that nobody else has to suffer what my family would suffer.
"I’m just so mad about this. I want to find a photo of every single NRA lobbyist and do some kind of mass public shaming. Harrass them until they quit or something. Rob their huge bank account
You name it.
But I will start all over again writing every single person who represents me in any way. All the way down to the school board if I have to"
Yes, @coralbrook, I am with you.
We have all expressed our shock on this board and the discussion made it somewhat less uncomfortable to walk out the door this morning to our regular routines. We need to step up and engage with community to figure out how to stop gun violence. I will continue to voice my opinion to our elected officials to pass laws on gun control.
I’m respecting the children and families of Sandy Hook by speaking out today. Those families have been waiting for almost 5 years, and many have been actively fighting for stricter gun control during these 5 long years.
@scoutsmom apologist: a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial.
I used to be confused by the meaning of the word too.
One of the musicians who performed yesterday:
“I’ve been a proponent of the 2nd amendment my entire life. Until the events of last night. I cannot express how wrong I was. We actually have members of our crew with [Concealed Handgun Licenses], and legal firearms on the bus,” Keeter wrote. “They were useless.” He continued:
We couldn’t touch them for fear police might think we were part of the massacre and shoot us. A small group (or one man) laid waste to a city with dedicated, fearless police officers desperately trying to help, because of access to an insane amount of fire power.
Enough is enough.
Writing my parents and the love of my life a goodbye last night and a living will because I felt like I wasn’t going to live through the night was enough for me to realize that this is completely and totally out of hand. These rounds were just powerful enough that my crew guys just standing in close proximity of a victim shot by this f—ing coward received shrapnel wounds.
We need gun control RIGHT. NOW. My biggest regret is that I stubbornly didn’t realize it until my brothers on the road and myself were threatened by it. We are unbelievably fortunate to not be among the number of victims killed or seriously wounded by this maniac."
Wow. When a country person comes out against guns, maybe something will happen.
But I won’t let my hopes get up. Mr R’s cousin is a guitarist for FGL and he’s a northern liberal. It would be way more effective if an actual singer came out with this. (And I hope they do.)
In other words, he used to be a proponent of the 2nd amendment until they started shooting at him. Twenty dead first graders didn’t do it. He only changed his mind when they started shooting at him.
The difference between the United States and Australia is that we have the Second Amendment and we have the current Supreme Court which has given it a very broad interpretation. No government alone – not the federal government, and not any state government – no matter how popular, has the power to enact gun control legislation that would be truly effective. So there’s a reason why people throw up their hands and say “We can’t do anything.” As a practical matter, we can’t do anything. Our Constitution and our Supreme Court has enshrined the opportunity for mass shootings as a key element of the political structure of the United States. It doesn’t matter that these shootings could be eliminated by proven, common sense measures.
This can change over time of course, but for that to happen a lot of people have to change their minds. And they have to do it all across the country, not just in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. People have to change their minds in scores of gerrymandered Congressional districts, and people have to change their minds in dozens of “red” states. People have to start changing their minds at a time in our history when people seem less willing than ever even to contemplate that their minds may change, and when there are people and industries willing to commit hundreds of millions of dollars to keep any of those minds from changing. So if something happens, it’s not going to happen quickly. We are a nation of mass shooters for the foreseeable future.
If I were the child, or the parent, or the partner of one of these victims, I would tell you I don’t want your prayers. I want you to change your mind.
Sadly, with 300 million guns out there, I have no idea what kind of gun control would make any difference at all. There are guns on the black market. Guns are brought in across the border. People with criminal records aren’t supposed to be able to buy guns and yet somehow the repeat armed robbers, gang bangers, and others have guns. I’m not saying I’m not against stronger gun laws. I am for them. I just don’t think they will make any difference.
“In other words, he used to be a proponent of the 2nd amendment until they started shooting at him. Twenty dead first graders didn’t do it. He only changed his mind when they started shooting at him.”
Better late than never - unlike the Congressman who was shot and almost died and those there with him that day.
@bhs1978 I think that the heart of your grievances that some are speaking about the causes/ramifications/solutions surrounding gun violence in this country and that is somehow disrespectful of the dead and their families. And yet I think that for many that IS their way of honoring the dead; to talk about it, to find answers to the violence. In hopes that the loss of lives will not be in vain, as it seems has been the case time and time again. To take up the cause when the immediate friends and families are overcome with grief. It doesn’t mean “we” are cold and unfeeling. I am sorry if this way of grieving seems so to you. We all grieve in different ways for some it is to act or other it is to cocoon in mourning. Neither way is right or wrong it is just different and by asking for this thred to be shut down you are taking away a outlet for mourning for many.
Well, gun stocks are rallying on the market.
Sadly, I think the investors are going to be disappointed.
Of course, they are rallying. They always do after times like this or after democrats get elected president. “Time to stockpile” is the mentality of much of the gun crowd.
“Overall, Americans own an estimated 265 million guns – more than one gun for every American adult, according to the study by researchers at Harvard and Northeastern universities. Half of those guns – 133 million – were in the hands of just 3% of American adults, so-called “super owners” who possessed an average of 17 guns each, it showed.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/22/study-guns-owners-violence/90858752/
No one needs 17 guns - or the 10 found in that hotel room with the killer.
^ Some reports are saying he had 19 guns.
The above survey was done by online marketing so the data is skewed. I’ll bet there are more guns out there than the survey would suggest because criminals don’t participate in gun surveys. That maybe the data for legally owned guns only.
For whomever asked about the race of perpetrators of mass shootings in the US:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/476456/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-shooter-s-race/
Whites are 77% of the population. Of course the actual number of mass shootings will be higher than say a group that comprises 13%.
However, when taken as a percentage of population it’s clear who is ahead in the mass shooting game.