Whats going wrong with the world? More shootings

hedonist wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

I suppose, all of those people in Aurora were weak, untrained cowards because there was not one Hero who rushed towards him and stopped him. I guess, that means they deserved to be victims, when their time came.

Yep! Including the three gentlemen who died while shielding their girlfriends.

redrock wrote:

comebackgirl wrote:

Regardless of which side of the gun control debate you're on, victim blaming really has no place. It's poor form, irrelevant and could not be a truer example of a lack of empathy.

Sad state of affairs, blaming the victim.

redrock wrote:

comebackgirl wrote:

Regardless of which side of the gun control debate you're on, victim blaming really has no place. It's poor form, irrelevant and could not be a truer example of a lack of empathy.

Sad state of affairs, blaming the victim.

Being able to shoot, being 'trained', etc. is absolutely no guarantee of being able to defend one's self or protect another or take action in 'emergencies'. It has been proven many times over and mentioned in these threads more times than I wish to remember (this also goes for those taking self defense classes such as martial arts, etc.). It is rare that those with 'casual' training (ie the responsible, law abiding citizen with a gun who had a shot or two at a fixed target at the range) will be able to 'pull himself/herself' together and act as they thought they would (ie shoot the bastard that's trying to rob them, or whatever..). Even for highly tuned soldiers (for example), it's not easy.

Too bad catwoman is already taken comebackgirl....

pandora wrote:

Some people are just stronger than others, braver, it is in their make up to take control
of situations, to be prepared, trained. We see these folks, we are thankful when they are there,
with a gun or without.

In the world of sheep these stand out. They will protect their neighbors and even
a stranger when needed, risking their own lives because they know this is the
right thing to do.

Others know they must be able to protect themselves and their loved ones if the
need arises. They are aware of the very personal dangers or circumstances they live in
and are prepared as they see fit.

Then there are some who are unprepared, untrained and weak ...
with a gun or without, they will be a victim when the time comes,
a victim of their own stupidity or of someone else's.

JonnyPistachio wrote:

For arguments sake, lets say there are 100 million guns in the USA.
If for every 100 guns, I'd be willing to bet there are about 2 scenarios similar to the Ms.Ruby story.
And i'd be willing to bet there are 10 scenarios like Hannah Kelley, who was accidentally shot in church, or other children who are victims of accidents.

So playing the percentages, which is better again? :?

I've had guns pointed at me twice. Once I had the barrel pressed up to my forehead as they demanded my wallet. I've had several other friends have guns pointed at them, and they are ALL still alive and did not fight back, or couldnt fight back without risk, or adding more violence to the equation.

And the closest I've come to being shot? That was an accidental shotgun blast that barely missed my head from a friend who later became a police officer. :lolno: I can laugh about it now...I'm glad to be here.

JonnyPistachio wrote:

For arguments sake, lets say there are 100 million guns in the USA.
If for every 100 guns, I'd be willing to bet there are about 2 scenarios similar to the Ms.Ruby story.
And i'd be willing to bet there are 10 scenarios like Hannah Kelley, who was accidentally shot in church, or other children who are victims of accidents.

So playing the percentages, which is better again? :?

I've had guns pointed at me twice. Once I had the barrel pressed up to my forehead as they demanded my wallet. I've had several other friends have guns pointed at them, and they are ALL still alive and did not fight back, or couldnt fight back without risk, or adding more violence to the equation.

And the closest I've come to being shot? That was an accidental shotgun blast that barely missed my head from a friend who later became a police officer. :lolno: I can laugh about it now...I'm glad to be here.

JonnyPistachio wrote:

ComeToTX wrote:

JonnyPistachio wrote:

For arguments sake, lets say there are 100 million guns in the USA.
If for every 100 guns, I'd be willing to bet there are about 2 scenarios similar to the Ms.Ruby story.
And i'd be willing to bet there are 10 scenarios like Hannah Kelley, who was accidentally shot in church, or other children who are victims of accidents.

So playing the percentages, which is better again? :?

I've had guns pointed at me twice. Once I had the barrel pressed up to my forehead as they demanded my wallet. I've had several other friends have guns pointed at them, and they are ALL still alive and did not fight back, or couldnt fight back without risk, or adding more violence to the equation.

And the closest I've come to being shot? That was an accidental shotgun blast that barely missed my head from a friend who later became a police officer. :lolno: I can laugh about it now...I'm glad to be here.

There are over 300 million guns in the US.

I'd crap my pants in any of those situations. Of course I'm an unprepared victim of my own stupidity.

300 million?!?! Geesh. You'd think it was a requirement at some point.

And yes, I dont know how I was able to contain my bowels...if ever there were times where I should poo my shorts, this was it...it was scary shit. I was actual more scared at the accidental shotgun discharge than the robbery. I had a chance to grab the guys arm during the robbery, but I imagined what could've happened if the gun went off and hit one of my two friends who were with me...or if the second guy had a gun or not, I coudlnt tell. There was no choice, so all I could do was stay calm.

When that shotgun went off though, it was so loud I couldnt hear out of one ear for several days. And I somehow physically ran/walked into a nearby bedroom and crouched down for some odd reason. There were bits of the ceiling in my hair from the blast hitting the ceiling above me. it was so shocking, I honestly dont recall the few seconds it took me to run/walk or whatever into that bedroom. I was just amazed I was alive. The preson who had it the worst though was my friend who was assembling the gun. He is a very responsible and very good person who made a stupid mistake. (again, he later became a cop too) He had nightmares for months about telling my Mother that he shot me in the face.

Needless to say, when I see a gun at a friends house or anywhere, I up and leave immediately, no matter what.

peacefrompaul wrote:

2. No, I believe that you should be 18 to buy weapons and ammunition. I guess I'm also okay with 21 for handguns.

Jason P wrote:

fife wrote:

I posted these question in another tread but will ask here again.

1) if owing a gun is a right, should people with mental health be able to buy guns? if not why not?
2) would anyone here complain if a 16 year old wanted to buy a gun but was not allowed to? if not why not?

I want to hear from the people who believe that gun ownership is a right.

Is voting a right?

I guess the same questions should be asked in that regard also.