[gerryann]

Originally Posted by AJ32162

How many murders do think occur because the perpetrator lacked the proper firearms safety training?

Probably none. But if gun laws can possibly change than there needs to be testing after a certain age. Someone who bought a gun at age 50 needs to be tested when he reaches 70.....or if they are showing signs of.....dimentia, unsteadiness, anything that will diminish their use of a firearm.

Just saying that if gun laws change, this is something that I think would also be beneficial.

[tuccillo]

As tragic as these shooting are, are you ever troubled by the fact that they seem to get all the press? In reality, about two-thirds of all gun deaths are suicides. The over whelming number of gun deaths of blacks are by other blacks. The reality is that there are mental health issues involved and you can not legislate these away. Family and friends must take action when people they know are having issues.

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

What we know for sure is that doing nothing will change nothing, and, as it relates to the American epidemic of mass shootings over the past 20 years or so, I think most people are not satisfied with that.

[jebartle]

We have SOME police that should not CARRY!....Right? I don't know WHAT the answer is to this problem but the US has MORE problems with mass killings than any other country. How is this possible, that the United States has the MOST problems with mass killings? Where do we start???

Originally Posted by Jimturner

I understand, but for your inconvenience of qualifying for concealed carry gives more in a way of protecting me from you. Again, if you failed to qualify to carry, l don't want you to own a gun. I want more qualified men and women to carry, but less that do not qualify.

[tomwed]

Has anyone ever heard a compelling argument that changed their position?

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by jebartle

We have SOME police that should not CARRY!....Right? I don't know WHAT the answer is to this problem but the US has MORE problems with mass killings than any other country. How is this possible, that the United States has the MOST problems with mass killings? Where do we start???

A good start is when it is recognized the gun issues are a function of our society.
We allow the movies, television and the media to train our young that it is OK to murder, rape, dismember and create mayhem. Nurtured by a more than permissive society that is paranoid about doing or saying something or anything that might offend somebody or anybody. And a court and legal system that exploits those that may see or say something that wasn't exactly just so-so.

The gun is just a convenient means to a brutal environment. If guns were not available the next easiest methods would take it's place. The USA is a violence tolerant country with insufficient enforcement of existing laws.
Until some of the other variables change the gun issue remains nothing more than a politically driven emotion!

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Has anyone ever heard a compelling argument that changed their position?

No, but I've made a few that have changed other's positions!

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by gomoho

No, but I've made a few that have changed other's positions!

You have open minded friends. There's hope.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Bonnevie

oddly enough Oregon does allow people with guns on campus:

Students who have proper paperwork are allowed to carry guns on campus. Oregon is one of seven states where lawmakers have said people with concealed weapons permits must be allowed to bring concealed weapons onto campus.

How do the police handle the situation of guns on campus.
Do they just shoot anyone running around brandishing a gun? How do they tell the good guys from the real shooter?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

As tragic as these shooting are, are you ever troubled by the fact that they seem to get all the press? In reality, about two-thirds of all gun deaths are suicides. The over whelming number of gun deaths of blacks are by other blacks. The reality is that there are mental health issues involved and you can not legislate these away. Family and friends must take action when people they know are having issues.

You are mixing mass shooting with everyday shootings. Apples & oranges .

[tuccillo]

No they aren't. People is favor of changing the gun laws always quote the total number of deaths by guns as part of the justification. Two-thirds of those are suicides.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

You are mixing mass shooting with everyday shootings. Apples & oranges .

[big guy]

Originally Posted by Jimturner

I am a gun owner and can't imagine not having them. But not making the ownership more controlled is irresponsible.
The good guy bad guy or the silly guns don't kill people argument is worthless.
People with mental problems buy weapons and make long term plans to carry out their craziness. Background checks would help. I would propose to own a gun, you would be required to meet or exceed the requirements for concealed carry. If you can't qualify for concealed carry you should not own one.

[Jimturner]

Thanks big guy. I would love to have one of these cowards walk into my man cave with gun in hand.

[borjo]

Originally Posted by fred53

Strange that the prez mentioned the Oregon shooting but not the 50 shootings in Chicago over the past few weeks...

That's what he needs to address! I bet he doesn't know what to do, hasn't said anything that I heard to address the violence in the cities. That's an on going problem with more fatalities than the occasional mass shooter.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Bonnevie

the thing is, I don't think anyone here has said people shouldn't be allowed to own guns. But like everything, there's a responsible way and this way where people can buy guns that kill many people in a short period of time.

and I will tell you having worked with mentally ill people for many years, it's not them I'm afraid of. True schizophrenics usually are too disorganized to do something like this. It's the undiagnosed, and less apparent, personality disorders that scare me. The person who has become angrier and angrier over the years because life hasn't gone his way. Think road rage or the movie theater incident where the guy shot someone for texting. The kids who are bullied. Think Columbine. This Oregon shooter who apparently lamented he had no girlfriends ever-- but had 4 types of guns available to him. The Sandy Hook kid who should never been left alone with access to guns--but hey his mother was a gun enthusiast so she has her rights--too bad she didn't realize she also had a responsibility by owning them.
What's the answer--more armed guards at all campuses--even community colleges that don't have dorms. then it will be somewhere else and the gun lobbyist will be calling for armed guards there....playgrounds, movie theaters, the squares of the Villages...anywhere people gather. or we can take an honest look at how this can be regulated to better protect everyone while still guaranteeing peoples right to protection.

Good input. How do we improve the situation of angry men and women like this?

[dotti105]

One thing I know, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway are only a few of the many countries having a lower rate of violent crime than the US. They all have laws which call for registration of handguns and possession of firearms are limited.

Assault rifles are only for the military, not for paranoid citizens

We live in the greatest country in the world. But that does not mean than we can't learn from other countries.

The gun related deaths in our country, especially those in schools, is the highest in the world. Folks there is something wrong with our system. We are NOT safer because we "we have the right to bear arms". If fact if there is a gun in your home, the likely hood of a family member dying from a gun death increases dramatically.

The system is broken, and we are doing nothing to fix it. Unless we do, more innocent children will die. Guaranteed. I hope none of them are your grandchildren.