Beginners and Beyond

School shooting in CT (Read 584 times)


Revenge of the Nerd

    While it's likely that untreated mental illness is the root cause, the fact that a semi-automatic assault weapon was used can not simply be ignored. Yes, the guns were legally purchased and registered by the mother and yes, the second amendment protects our right to keep and bear arms. But at what price? How many more mass murders are we willing to endure before we make changes? Where is the safety net? Too many of those suffering from mental illness slip through the cracks. Too many of our politicians lack the courage to confront the gun lobby. And too many times we grieve for the innocent. A safety net on the floor of the circus tent protects no one.

    One of these days is none of these days.

    ~ H.G. Bohn


    Mmmmm...beer

      While it's likely that untreated mental illness is the root cause, the fact that a semi-automatic assault weapon was used can not simply be ignored. Yes, the guns were legally purchased and registered by the mother and yes, the second amendment protects our right to keep and bear arms. But at what price? How many more mass murders are we willing to endure before we make changes? Where is the safety net? Too many of those suffering from mental illness slip through the cracks. Too many of our politicians lack the courage to confront the gun lobby. And too many times we grieve for the innocent. A safety net on the floor of the circus tent protects no one.

       

      He obtained the weapons illegally, how would more laws have prevented that?

      -Dave

      My running blog

      Goals | sub-18 5k | sub-3 marathon 2:56:46!!


      Revenge of the Nerd

        He obtained the weapons illegally, how would more laws have prevented that?

         

        The weapons were obtained legally by his mother and readily available to him. What purpose does a Bushmaster .223 assault rifle serve in the hands of a civilian?

        One of these days is none of these days.

        ~ H.G. Bohn

        FlippyNoodle


        Not a dude

          The weapons were obtained legally by his mother and readily available to him. What purpose does a Bushmaster .223 assault rifle serve in the hands of a civilian?

           

          I'm gonna have to agree with this. Should the 2nd amendment reasonably include the possession of assault rifles by civilians? what is the self defense purpose of such a weapon? They are designed for one purpose and one purpose only - killing lots of people within a short timeframe.
          SusanRachel


            The weapons were obtained legally by his mother and readily available to him. What purpose does a Bushmaster .223 assault rifle serve in the hands of a civilian?

             

            It was his mother's responsibility to keep the weapons secure.  It could not possibly have been a secret to her that he was not mentally stable.  I have a family member with mental illness.  I would never allow that individual access to my weapons.  Adam stole them, murdered his mother, transported the weapons without a concealed carry permit, transported them onto school property, committed more murders...  He proved that he was willing to break the most serious laws.  More laws wouldn't have made a hill of beans worth of difference.  He would have broken those too.


            Revenge of the Nerd

              Agreed - he broke laws. Most murderers do. But that doesn't answer the assault rifle question.

              One of these days is none of these days.

              ~ H.G. Bohn

              MrNamtor


                 More laws wouldn't have made a hill of beans worth of difference.  He would have broken those too.

                 

                 

                :-/

                RunTomRun


                Wickedly Average

                  What purpose does a Bushmaster .223 assault rifle serve in the hands of a civilian?

                   

                  A similar question was asked in Germany in the 1930s, prior to the disarming of civilians.

                   

                  The second amendment is not about collecting weapons, it's not about hunting, nor is it about target shooting. It's about securing our freedom. Take away the second amendment and you take away the only tool the people have to keep the government in check. The rest of the bill of rights will tumble like dominos. History repeats itself, as the lessons of past societies are seemingly forgotten.

                  Tom (formerly known as PhotogTom)

                  5K - 25:16, 10K - 55:31,  15K - 1:20:55,   HM - 1:54:54


                  Mmmmm...beer

                    The weapons were obtained legally by his mother and readily available to him. What purpose does a Bushmaster .223 assault rifle serve in the hands of a civilian?

                     

                    The same purpose as any other rifle would. 

                     

                    What would banning "assault" rifles do?  Would it prevent tragedies like this from happening?  No, it wouldn't.

                    -Dave

                    My running blog

                    Goals | sub-18 5k | sub-3 marathon 2:56:46!!

                    FlippyNoodle


                    Not a dude

                      Do you hear of this kind of stuff happening frequently in countries that have stricter gun control laws? When is the last time there was a mass school shooting in Canada? An assault rifle is not just like any rifle. They are designed specifically to kill a lot of people in a short period of time. A rifle is deadly, yes, but not on the same scope. By the logic used on the whole "protecting our freedom" argument, folks should be able to have grenades because the government has them. The line has to be drawn somewhere. Also, let's not forget that the VA Tech shooter obtained his weapons legally. Clearly there are problems with these systems. I don't see the NRA stepping up to propose legislation to fix that. Instead, it seems that gun advocates are more concerned about their right to have a gun than they are about the fact that their "right" just enabled the senseless slaughter of 20 little kids.
                      Hey Doc


                      Feets don't fail me now

                        This is a must read for anyone commenting on the situation:

                         

                        http://gawker.com/5968818/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother


                        Mmmmm...beer

                          Do you hear of this kind of stuff happening frequently in countries that have stricter gun control laws? When is the last time there was a mass school shooting in Canada? An assault rifle is not just like any rifle. They are designed specifically to kill a lot of people in a short period of time. A rifle is deadly, yes, but not on the same scope. By the logic used on the whole "protecting our freedom" argument, folks should be able to have grenades because the government has them. The line has to be drawn somewhere. Also, let's not forget that the VA Tech shooter obtained his weapons legally. Clearly there are problems with these systems. I don't see the NRA stepping up to propose legislation to fix that. Instead, it seems that gun advocates are more concerned about their right to have a gun than they are about the fact that their "right" just enabled the senseless slaughter of 20 little kids.

                           

                          My point is these atrocities could have been committed with any kind of weapon, the weapon is not the problem.  The real problem in many of these cases is the failures of our mental health system in properly diagnosing and treating people who need help. 

                          -Dave

                          My running blog

                          Goals | sub-18 5k | sub-3 marathon 2:56:46!!

                          Hey Doc


                          Feets don't fail me now

                            Dave, have you read the article I just posted above your post?   


                            Mmmmm...beer

                              Dave, have you read the article I just posted above your post?   

                               

                              Reading it now, and it's absolutely true, this is the heart of the problem. 

                              -Dave

                              My running blog

                              Goals | sub-18 5k | sub-3 marathon 2:56:46!!

                              MrNamtor


                                My point is these atrocities could have been committed with any kind of weapon, the weapon is not the problem.  The real problem in many of these cases is the failures of our mental health system in properly diagnosing and treating people who need help. 

                                 

                                 

                                 no, that's not the problem  The crazy will always be among us. And for that matter within us. 

                                 

                                The real problem is people who have assault weapons in their houses Why the @#(! should anyone have or need a goddamned assault weapon in their home???