Shootings in Tucson

[ColinEssex]

What do people think about the recent shootings in Tucson? Just more of the same old same old? No change? I see it's not been mentioned anywhere on these forums so I guess people must think it run-of-the-mill stuff.

Why is it getting so much airplay? What about the (average) 89 people killed everyday in the US by the gun? Is that different? That's equivalent to a jumbo jet full killed every few days.

Actually a friend of mine is off to the US on holiday soon, she wondered if it is possible to buy a gun to protect herself whilst there, then bin it before she comes home - any ideas?

Col

 

[Rabbie]

I don't think that this shooting will do Sarah Palin's chances of the presidency any good at all. Her gunsite targetting 20 democrats including Giffords will make her an easy target for her political opponents.

 

[Adam Caramon]

I think it is terrible that it happened, but not much will change in response to it. The sentiment about people clinging to their bibles and guns is very apt.

 

[ColinEssex]

I find it intriguing as to what is "normal" and what constitutes a presidential visit.

I know any murder is appalling but it is the norm in the US to have 80 odd per day - so what is the trigger (excuse the word) that makes people sit up and take notice? Is it a figure say greater than 3 that starts it off?

I read in the Times today that the sales of the type of gun (? Glock) the killer used, have increased significantly. What is the reasoning behind this I wonder.

Col

 

[Brianwarnock]

I find this far more thought provoking than the fact that some nutter went wild with a gun.

Brian

 

[Adam Caramon]

I find it intriguing as to what is "normal" and what constitutes a presidential visit.

I'd guess the fact that this was a mass killing rather than a run-of-the-mill armed robbery or carjacking, etc. Plus the fact that a congresswoman was injured along with a judge; its being viewed as an attack on the government kind of thing.

I read in the Times today that the sales of the type of gun (? Glock) the killer used, have increased significantly. What is the reasoning behind this I wonder.

Its usually fear-based. Right before President Obama got elected, tons of people ran out and bought guns. They were afraid he was going to restrict them or ban them or something.

Why are they afraid now? Hard to say, but the fact that the economy is in the toliet, unemployment is so high, etc. probably leads to it. When people get desperate, they do desperate things.

 

[Kryst51]

I'd guess the fact that this was a mass killing rather than a run-of-the-mill armed robbery or carjacking, etc. Plus the fact that a congresswoman was injured along with a judge; its being viewed as an attack on the government kind of thing.



Its usually fear-based. Right before President Obama got elected, tons of people ran out and bought guns. They were afraid he was going to restrict them or ban them or something.

Why are they afraid now? Hard to say, but the fact that the economy is in the toliet, unemployment is so high, etc. probably leads to it. When people get desperate, they do desperate things.

Well said.

 

[Thales750]

What do people think about the recent shootings in Tucson? Just more of the same old same old? No change? I see it's not been mentioned anywhere on these forums so I guess people must think it run-of-the-mill stuff.

Why is it getting so much airplay? What about the (average) 89 people killed everyday in the US by the gun? Is that different? That's equivalent to a jumbo jet full killed every few days.

Actually a friend of mine is off to the US on holiday soon, she wondered if it is possible to buy a gun to protect herself whilst there, then bin it before she comes home - any ideas?

Col

Only fools carry guns if they are untrained. She would be better off with a nonlethal weapon such as pepper spray. When it comes time to act, untrained people will either panic or hesitate. With pepper spray shoot first, no one is dead. But I suspect she has as much chance being raped in Europe as here.

And of the "80 odd" most of them know each other and are part of the criminal element anyway; no loss there.

 

[Thales750]

I don't think that this shooting will do Sarah Palin's chances of the presidency any good at all. Her gunsite targetting 20 democrats including Giffords will make her an easy target for her political opponents.

She’s marginal at best; as a matter of fact this could have some unintended assistance for moderate republicans. During the primaries if Palin and other on the far rights dominate, it will make them less likely electable in the general elections.

 

[Thales750]

I find it intriguing as to what is "normal" and what constitutes a presidential visit.

I know any murder is appalling but it is the norm in the US to have 80 odd per day - so what is the trigger (excuse the word) that makes people sit up and take notice? Is it a figure say greater than 3 that starts it off?

I read in the Times today that the sales of the type of gun (? Glock) the killer used, have increased significantly. What is the reasoning behind this I wonder.

Col

It's a good side arm and they use it in movies.

 

[Thales750]

I find this far more thought provoking than the fact that some nutter went wild with a gun.

Brian

Motto: Don't rob people.

 

[ChipperT]

Re: visiting the US and buying a gun. Stupid idea! First, they are not cell phones that you can just buy one and "load it up" to use while here, then ditch on the way out of the country. There are many laws, including a waiting period where you have to fill out paperwork with your intent to buy a gun and wait a certain period (depends on the jurisdiction how long) that usually (should) include a background check. I think one of the requirements is that you have to be a US citizen. Then, if you want to carry it concealed, to be legal you have to get a concealed weapon permit from the local law enforcement agency. "Open carry" is only permitted in some places (Arizona being one of them). The alternative to all this is to buy your weapon from the black market (criminal). While they are readily availablle there, I doubt that a tourist would be able to easily find one there.

Now, don't get me wrong... I am a "gun control" advocate even more "liberal" in this respect than most. I believe that the sale and possesion of handguns should be prohibited except for law enforcement and military and that any crime committed with a firearm should carry an automatic 25 year to life sentence. (I am very conservative in other areas). But the "European" idea of guns in America is totally wrong! Yes, there may be 89 deaths attributed to firearms per day here, including accidents and suicides, but in a nation of over 300 million, you are more likely to die of an insect bite than a firearm. Your sister will be as safe here as she would be anywhere in Europe.

 

[ChipperT]

Re: Sarah Palin. The poor woman has a bad case of Foot in Mouth Disease. I am sure she is a lovely mother and a fine person to talk to but just not Presidential material. Her "latest" statement in which she thought she was coining yet another of her cute new words or phrases certainly showed her lack of intellectual prowess. "Blood libel", if you know any history, is as bad a term to use as "******", "kike" etc., since it was used to spark hatred and pogroms for the Jewish people for centuries. It describes the idea that the Jews would kidnap Gentile children and drink their blood. What a STUPID thing to say! I'll bet the poor woman is at home today, hiding her face in her bearskin rug, now that she knows what the phrase really means.

 

[Thales750]

Re: Sarah Palin. The poor woman has a bad case of Foot in Mouth Disease. I am sure she is a lovely mother and a fine person to talk to but just not Presidential material. Her "latest" statement in which she thought she was coining yet another of her cute new words or phrases certainly showed her lack of intellectual prowess. "Blood libel", if you know any history, is as bad a term to use as "******", "kike" etc., since it was used to spark hatred and pogroms for the Jewish people for centuries. It describes the idea that the Jews would kidnap Gentile children and drink their blood. What a STUPID thing to say! I'll bet the poor woman is at home today, hiding her face in her bearskin rug, now that she knows what the phrase really means.

Yeah, But she sure is sexy.

 

[ColinEssex]

Re: visiting the US and buying a gun. Stupid idea! First, they are not cell phones that you can just buy one and "load it up" to use while here, then ditch on the way out of the country. There are many laws, including a waiting period where you have to fill out paperwork with your intent to buy a gun and wait a certain period (depends on the jurisdiction how long) that usually (should) include a background check.

I understand. However, the papers here say that you can buy one in a supermarket over there, giving the impression you put it in your trolley and pay at the checkout like a tin of beans.

Your sister will be as safe here as she would be anywhere in Europe.

She is a friend, not my sister.

Col

 

[Vassago]

I understand. However, the papers here say that you can buy one in a supermarket over there, giving the impression you put it in your trolley and pay at the checkout like a tin of beans.

She is a friend, not my sister.

Col

Of course you can. I bought a couple pistols and an AK the other day at my local gas, or petrol, station as my gas was being pumped by the attendant, because you know, we never fill our own tanks.

I'm thinking about buying a samurai sword while I tour England later this year because of my fear of mugging or carjacking. I hear it's actually quite higher there than here per capita and since it's a random act of violence where murder typically is not, I fear for my safety. Plus, I think carrying a samurai sword would just look awesome.

 

[ChipperT]

I understand. However, the papers here say that you can buy one in a supermarket over there, giving the impression you put it in your trolley and pay at the checkout like a tin of beans.

She is a friend, not my sister.

Col

Yes, you can find them in the "fresh meat" section, next to the IEDs and mustard gas. That's why the #1 accessory for men's three piece suits in the US is body armor. I understand that you can now get bullet proof boxer shorts as well.

Sorry about your friend.

 

[ChipperT]

Of course you can. I bought a couple pistols and an AK the other day at my local gas, or petrol, station as my gas was being pumped by the attendant, because you know, we never fill our own tanks.

I'm thinking about buying a samurai sword while I tour England later this year because of my fear of mugging or carjacking. I hear it's actually quite higher there than here per capita and since it's a random act of violence where murder typically is not, I fear for my safety. Plus, I think carrying a samurai sword would just look awesome.

If you fly into London you can pick up your sword in the Duty Free shop as you leave the airport. If you keep it in good condition by wiping all of the blood off it after each use, you can return it and get a 75% refund.

 

[Brianwarnock]

Motto: Don't rob people.

A dead person is not able to put his side of the argument, maybe they just bumped into each other and the shooter got mad.

Brian

 

[Kryst51]

Plus, I think carrying a samurai sword would just look awesome.

You know it! That's right up there with my Nintendo obsession