quote:

Originally posted by Lira How is he coping with this madness? Do you know?

i was told he will be taking a leave of absence...thats all i know right now

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/poli...kistan-2-killed

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There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Many of those who oppose the NRA indulge in the same level of unreasonableness, arguing that a 30 round clip is completely unnecessary to protect ones home on the assumption that all tactical situations are easily resolved with six bullets or less.

Are you fucking kidding me? In what world is a 30 round clip necessary to protect your home? If it gets to the point where you're actually firing bullets at another human being, something's already terribly wrong. Do we live in a society where home invasions are so common that we need to fight off roving Mad Max bands of raiders? Christ.

quote:

China had an attack in a school, today, as well. The man was armed with a knife rather than guns; that probably ensured that most if not all of the children will survive their ordeal. The fact remains that getting rid of guns isn't going to prohibit people from being violent.

No, but you just said it yourself: seems like it would prevent people from killing each other so damn much. I'm not in favor of a "no guns ever at all" approach, but goddamn. You'd think we could at least try to have a society where shit like this isn't so easy to do.

I always hated it when the shooter killed themself at the end. Unless the cops start discovering letters, journals, or some kind of written stuff, we're never really going to know why he did it - which I think is really what matters. You can't go about making rash knee-jerk reactions as far as gun stuff goes (or lack thereof) if you don't know his motive, don't you think?

I've always been interested in the "why" of these kinds of things, rather than the how. i'd have the same questions if he stabbed them to death instead of shot them. or poisoned. or whatever way he was determined to execute the plan.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Now, I'm just waiting on the response from the NRA side. Sincerely hope I can count on the same amount of incendiary invective and selective nit-picking that ignores my main point about cultivating a more equitable society to mitigate much of the anger so prevalent in the culture. Brilliant satire!

I've given you a week off for your tone-policing by laughing at someone's pain.

You don't write a bunch of nonsense, and then hand-wave away the argument given to you by laughing and claiming it's "nit-picking". Nope. You either support your argument (which you have not) or you be quiet. You've been given a week off

-Moderator

quote:

Originally posted by theCheif Are you fucking kidding me? In what world is a 30 round clip necessary to protect your home? If it gets to the point where you're actually firing bullets at another human being, something's already terribly wrong. Do we live in a society where home invasions are so common that we need to fight off roving Mad Max bands of raiders? Christ.

I actually agree - that when it gets to the point where you're firing bullets at another human being something has gone terribly wrong. The reality of America is that guns have been allowed to proliferate to such a degree that the defender may well be out-gunned by the perpetrator. If I wake up to three armed burglars (or some other lop-sided hypothetical), I'd rather be the one to out-gun than the one being out-gunned.

I agree. It's ridiculous. It's ludicrous to even be contemplating a reality in which this occurs. Unfortunately, it is a reality. Anyone who thinks that banning assault weapons is going to achieve the desired results, currently, however is kidding themselves. While it is an ideal that should be worked toward - a world in which the ownership of an AR15 isn't contemplated on any sort of serious level - that is not going to be a situation that occurs overnight.

quote:

Originally posted by theCheif No, but you just said it yourself: seems like it would prevent people from killing each other so damn much. I'm not in favor of a "no guns ever at all" approach, but goddamn. You'd think we could at least try to have a society where shit like this isn't so easy to do.

I'm aware that I said that - and that it even speaks to gun-control advocate positions. I wasn't trying to be ironic in pointing it out. One of my points, not relating to the one I was making with this remark, is that their position levels an unrealistic expectation that their aims could be accomplished in the current circumstances. Look at gun sale statistics every time a Democrat is elected to the White House. Disarmament isn't something that's going to be accomplished without making other changes to our society that alleviates the motivations for obtaining firearms; which was the point I was trying to make with the text you quoted.


EDIT:

quote:

Originally posted by theCheif I've given you a week off for your tone-policing by laughing at someone's pain. You don't write a bunch of nonsense, and then hand-wave away the argument given to you by laughing and claiming it's "nit-picking". Nope. You either support your argument (which you have not) or you be quiet. You've been given a week off -Moderator

And I have no idea what's going on, here. Your second post demonstrated a willingness to have a more serious conversation and I tried to reply, in kind. I'm not going to give a serious reply to your first post because it's ridiculous (but it was good for a laugh). I'll write this off as being a reply made in haste.

___________________

Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

Last edited by EddieZilker on Dec-15-2012 at 21:26

Fuck, I am seriously disappointed in certain people's attitudes on here (not to single any out but I expected better from Eddie and Hal).

There's no good reason for assualt, automatic, semi-automatic firearms to be available for general purchase to the US population.

It's fucking insane that the 20 year old kid that did this mass killing can't legally buy a drink, get a mortgage or go to a club, but can walk in to a gun store or show and buy any gun they want.

If the laws dictate that you're not responsible enough to consume alcohol, not responsible enough for financial commitments, then why the fuck would it possibly be OK to buy a specialized weapon, solely designed for killing in the most efficient and widespread manner?

Not that it matters in this case, as he used guns owned by his parents....but more's the reason why gun control is so badly needed here in the USA.

You are five times more likely to be killed by a gun, if you own a gun in your household. Great protection.

There's no argument for needing guns of this nature in a modern civilization. The British aren't invading (well, we are when it comes to your women) and you don't need guns for some infantile or redneck belief that you'll be called upon to rise up as some general population army to protect yourself from the government.

You want to shoot guns for target practice? Fine. Do it at a designated range where they lend you the weapon under supervision.

You want guns for hunting? fine. Rifles or shotguns then. Problem solved. You don't need an AR15 or Mac-10 or rail gun or any other short range burst firearm to hunt deer. Nor pistols.

Every argument for excessive gun ownership, especially those for assault, semi and automatic weapons are absolute nonesense.

We had a ban on assault weapons until it was stupidly overturned by sheer force of gun lobbying.

The argument about home invasion protection is utter nonsense too;
A) the chances of it happening to you are incredibly low
B) The chances of you getting a good shot off are incredibly low
C) The liklihood of you dying from gunshots,raise dramatically, just because you have a gun for "protection".

Where's that video that shows tests a school shooting scenario, and the firearms trained guy doesn't get a single shot on target by the time everyone is dead?

Last edited by DJ RANN on Dec-15-2012 at 22:11

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Originally posted by DJ RANN It's fucking insane that the 20 year old kid that did this mass killing can't legally buy a drink, get a mortgage or go to a club, but can walk in to a gun store or show and buy any gun they want.

I realize you're taking issue with my middle of the road stance but I actually agree with this. I really, honestly believe that the purchasing of firearms should be much more heavily restricted but disagree with an outright ban on them. I don't think that it should be easier to purchase guns than it is a beer.

___________________

Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker I don't think that it should be easier to purchase guns than it is a beer.

if you're of age (i.e. over 21) isn't it easier to buy a beer? i mean, getting carded once, vice having a background check done and having to wait a few days?

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Originally posted by tubularbills if you're of age (i.e. over 21) isn't it easier to buy a beer? i mean, getting carded once, vice having a background check done and having to wait a few days?

Point out the over-extension of my hyperbole again and I'll have you suspended too!

___________________

Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Point out the over-extension of my hyperbole again and I'll have you suspended too!

lol, I"m not trying to be a douche....was just curious as to if you were saying it was easier to get a gun at a younger age? (i.e. if you are 18, vice 21)