The latest school massacres

[Zathris]

Originally Posted by DanaC

NRA aren't responsible for school shootings - but they are partly responsible for the creation of a culture that glorifies, indeed all but sanctifies, guns and gun ownership.

I'll agree with that.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

The NRA could be a big help by taking the position that the laws would help the law biding gun owners by keeping the weapons out of the hands of baddies.

The problem with that is determining who the "baddies" really are.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Zathris

The problem with that is determining who the "baddies" really are.

Not really, "baddies" is enough to get people's support, because it instantly triggers what their own fears have determined who baddies are. Might be inner city thugs, motorcycle gangs, drug dealers, Immigrants, gangsters, etc. Promoting, if the gumint don't take your guns, you are safe and invincible, it just folly.

Perspective gets distorted by headlines.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Zathris

...
The problem with that is determining who the "baddies" really are.

The problem is that they're "goodies" right up to the minute they massacre a bunch of innocents.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Public opinion doesn't seem to be swayed by mass shootings.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

The problem is that they're "goodies" right up to the minute they massacre a bunch of innocents.

Isn't the definition of murder the death of innocents?
Otherwise it's manslaughter/ self-defense.

[don't slaughter me if I'm wrong, it'll be a difference in UK/ US law]

Oh, the above is simply me being anal - Spex isn't necessarily wrong.

It just occurred to me that these people are murderers. Britain's most prolific killers did not need guns. The fact that guns feature in the death of "innocents" in the US is just a blip of time and space if you're of a murderous bent IMO.
That said, much as I adore Wolf (the only non-hunting gun-toting Dwellar I can think of off the top of my head) I'd be completely weirded out by seeing any of you carrying a lethal weapon around. That's just my feelings, having not grown up with guns.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Where and when I grew up, seeing someone with a gun would be natural. Here and now I would immediately try to assess their actions and intent, because it's far less common. Spex is right, but in most cases, the post tragedy examination shows plenty of warning signs. That's why the chart of specific proposals has much higher support than the ban/not ban question PEW asked.

I feel those charts reflect my own reaction to those questions, in that my answer to should we ban guns is a sound no, as I think that's throwing out the baby with the bath water and would not solve anything. But the questions about individual initiatives, I can wholeheartedly support. This is what I mentioned earlier about the NRA being wrong in their no restrictions stance, rather than supporting some laws.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Sundae

Isn't the definition of murder the death of innocents?
Otherwise it's manslaughter/ self-defense.

[don't slaughter me if I'm wrong, it'll be a difference in UK/ US law]

Oh, the above is simply me being anal - Spex isn't necessarily wrong.
...

I say innocents because I don't think there'd be much outcry if someone killed a bunch of murderers and rapists.