America's Gun Violence

rgambs said:

PJPOWER said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJPOWER said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

PJPOWER said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

polaris_x said:

i would side with the people who say a ban or more regulations on guns would not solve the mass shootings that have happened ... it would likely prevent a few accidental deaths but by in large - i'd speculate that the gun violence statistics would stay pretty much the same ...

america has a violence problem which is amplified with it's love affair with guns and all things destructive ... how many of y'all who support stricter gun laws are also the same people who say that if anyone tried to hurt your family - you'd go after those people!? ...

the country was born from violence and has a legacy of violence ... one of the biggest lobbies in the country is the NRA and the military industrial complex is a driver of US foreign policy ...

aren't all countries born, or at least bred at some point in their history, on violence?

Yes, but not all countries encourage violence through various forms of media. Is Hollywood somewhat to blame? Anything that perpetuates the devaluation of human life has a hand in this violent culture. Maybe if our children spent more time volunteering instead of playing violent video games and watching Saw. I have seen first hand how media can influence children's behavior. When I was a counselor I saw children trying to stab people at school because they "saw it on Grand Theft Auto". Anyone that says there is not a correlation between violent media and violent behavior is delusional or misinformed. Not too many Boy Scouts shooting up theaters...just sayin.
Again, personal responsibility, stop feeding children this shit and I promise in a generation or two you will see a change in culture.

You think Canadians don't play Grand Theft Auto and watch violent movies?

Try again.

this is a point I was about to make, too, Thirty. how can we explain the differences in violent culture between Canada and the US, or even Europe and the US, when our influences are the same? same video games, same movies, etc. I think this is part of the issue; it is largely unexplainable why one nation of people have turned into one of, if not THE, most violent first world nations on earth.

I don't know, has that comprehensive study been done? Are the education systems similar? How similar are our cultures really?

well I'd say our cultures are very similar. politically, no. canadians aren't nearly as patriotic, to say the least, as americans. it's rare to see a canadian flag on a house. the only time you see one is at a government building or during the world junior hockey championships, LOL.

not sure about the education systems, so can't comment.

but what I was commenting on was your point that you believe hollywood and video games are very much to blame, but how can that be, when our children watch the same movies and play the same games?

They are not only to blame, but exposing a child that does not have the brain connectivity to differentiate reality vs fiction to graphic violence is not a great start...aka 7 year olds playing GTA and watching Saw.

Don't leave out all the indoctrination toward war, we are inundated with glorification of WW2 in this country.

it's also about a society that believes violence is an answer to conflict ...

rgambs said:

PJPOWER said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJPOWER said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

PJPOWER said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

polaris_x said:

i would side with the people who say a ban or more regulations on guns would not solve the mass shootings that have happened ... it would likely prevent a few accidental deaths but by in large - i'd speculate that the gun violence statistics would stay pretty much the same ...

america has a violence problem which is amplified with it's love affair with guns and all things destructive ... how many of y'all who support stricter gun laws are also the same people who say that if anyone tried to hurt your family - you'd go after those people!? ...

the country was born from violence and has a legacy of violence ... one of the biggest lobbies in the country is the NRA and the military industrial complex is a driver of US foreign policy ...

aren't all countries born, or at least bred at some point in their history, on violence?

Yes, but not all countries encourage violence through various forms of media. Is Hollywood somewhat to blame? Anything that perpetuates the devaluation of human life has a hand in this violent culture. Maybe if our children spent more time volunteering instead of playing violent video games and watching Saw. I have seen first hand how media can influence children's behavior. When I was a counselor I saw children trying to stab people at school because they "saw it on Grand Theft Auto". Anyone that says there is not a correlation between violent media and violent behavior is delusional or misinformed. Not too many Boy Scouts shooting up theaters...just sayin.
Again, personal responsibility, stop feeding children this shit and I promise in a generation or two you will see a change in culture.

You think Canadians don't play Grand Theft Auto and watch violent movies?

Try again.

this is a point I was about to make, too, Thirty. how can we explain the differences in violent culture between Canada and the US, or even Europe and the US, when our influences are the same? same video games, same movies, etc. I think this is part of the issue; it is largely unexplainable why one nation of people have turned into one of, if not THE, most violent first world nations on earth.

I don't know, has that comprehensive study been done? Are the education systems similar? How similar are our cultures really?

well I'd say our cultures are very similar. politically, no. canadians aren't nearly as patriotic, to say the least, as americans. it's rare to see a canadian flag on a house. the only time you see one is at a government building or during the world junior hockey championships, LOL.

not sure about the education systems, so can't comment.

but what I was commenting on was your point that you believe hollywood and video games are very much to blame, but how can that be, when our children watch the same movies and play the same games?

They are not only to blame, but exposing a child that does not have the brain connectivity to differentiate reality vs fiction to graphic violence is not a great start...aka 7 year olds playing GTA and watching Saw.

Don't leave out all the indoctrination toward war, we are inundated with glorification of WW2 in this country.

Well I think there is a difference in being reminded historically what WW2 was and glorifying "killing Japs" and what not. A forgotten history is one bound to be repeated-cannot remember who said that. I do think there are some different interpretations these days about what it means to be patriotic. You can be proud and celebrate freedom and that you are not North Korea without being arrogant about it. I also believe it is wrong to forget and not acknowledge those that lost their lives for the luxuries that we take for granted. Many people have forgotten and disregard sacrificed made...I think that leads to entitlement and lack of respect for each other.

Question for the gun crowd.
I dont like handguns but if you want to have one to protect your family or yourself ok. There have been stories where people have protected themselves with handguns to stop a burglary, assault or rape. However any time I hear of stories like this its with a handgun. Ive never heard of anyone protecting themselves with an assault weapon. I have heardof plenty of unnecessary mass murders by assault weapons.

So, why if safety (if im understanding your main argument for guns) is the reason to have them, and handguns can provide that safety just fine, are assault weapons needed?

This is just a part of everyday life now.

Godfather. said:

josevolution said:

Stop it guys stop trying to be sensible , the answer and only answer is arm everyone ....

don't forget the part about a well armed militia Jose.

Godfather.

regulated GF. Get iit straight. Well Regulated Militia. Which to my understanding of the language of the day , means trained. A well trained militia.

pjhawks said:

link to story in Tuesday's Philadelphia Inquirer - 7 minutes to buy an AR-15. 7 fucking minutes. disgusting.

http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/helen_ubinas/20160614_Ubinas__I_bought_an_AR-15_semi-automatic_rifle_in_Philly_in_7_minutes.html

that was bloody well written ...

"My heart is with you all. But while we're mourning the dead, let us mourn the national loss of humanity that is to blame for this world we have created."

Gern Blansten said:

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/06/whats-going-on-another-fox-news-host-calls-for-assault-weapon-ban-after-orlando-massacre/

Now Fox is shifting....interesting

Something is definitely going on over at Fox News — where two hosts have come out in favor of gun control laws.

Gretchen Carlson surprised viewers Tuesday afternoon by calling on lawmakers to reinstate a ban on weapons like the AR-15 that a gunman used to murder 49 people and wound 53 more at a gay nightclub in Orlando.

Later that evening, Bill O’Reilly cast some blame on conservatives for the domestic terror attack and hate crime, which he said might have been prevented or lessened if the killer hadn’t been able to buy the weapons he used.

Huh??!!

I'm all for profiling, if someone looks batshit crazy or acts out of sorts then keep them in sight. If someone has ties or communications with known terrorists or organizations or are on a no fly list then a big red alert box should pop up on those instant background checks to let the seller know that is the case. Let's add known violent gang affiliation databases and start tracking that info as well. Better border securities that prevent the flow of illegal drugs and firearms.
Let's try that a few years. If the government abuses that authority, then we can push for a repeal. I still do not see any logical or realistic way of getting "assault rifles" out of the hands of civilians due to modern technology, but I think it's a good idea for people to have access and knowledge of who they are selling to in order to make informed decisions. Blocking access to those databases does seem pretty crazy. Hell, let's make that public access so we all know if we are living next to a suspected terrorist. Follow through with harsh punishments for violent offenders
I do not support "mental health databases" or whatever is being pushed in that realm, not that I think people with mental health problems should be buying guns, but because it could potentially turn those that really need help away and seems like a major violation of privacy.
I am adamantly apposed to any confiscation programs as it would essentially start a civil war. If you are okay with a police state then that is your prerogative. Buyback programs have been largely unsuccessful.
The problem is that there is no way of 100% stopping such an intigrated and culturally diverse society from experiencing problems with sociopathic individuals. You can personally start helping society by being realistic and aware of your surroundings. You do not have to live in fear, but know exits and what not when you go into places. Know some basic survival skills for if you are put in one of these situations. You do not have to wait on the politicians to enact laws to start doing those things!