Shootings in American University

[Lonnie]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6562 259.stm

This was absolutely horrific, so far, no real reason has been given, but the news broadcast I saw, said that a couple of students were arrested for taking photos, while the gunman was left to carry on killing.

Obviously, as time goes on, more information will come out, debates on their gun laws, death penalty etc, but for now, our thoughts must be with the injured and bereaved.

[jenstar]

You don't seem to have asked a question, but here's a few possible answers anyway:

1. Lymeswold.

2. That depends on what you mean by "smelly".

3. 108,215.

4. Yes, it should last longer than an ordinary one, just don't switch it on and off too much.

5. "Itchycoo Park" by the Small Faces.

[libertie]

"The aim of the site is to create an online community where you can exchange personal views and opinions with other users, on subjects that interest you."

Taken from the AB home page...so it would seem you don't have to ask a question!

Yes Lonnie no doubt there will be a lot of heart searching going on today as to what could have been done differently but like you say our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the dead and injured, what an awful thing to happen to them! Would be nice to think that this will make a difference to the US gun laws, but that is highly unlikely!

[boobesque]

oh jenstar, so sympathetic

[matt66]

words like 'our thoughts go out' 'we will pray for you' and the ubiquitious 'WHY'. what do they mean. to me i read about it and carry on with my life. unless i am directly affected or my family is directly affected vigils by any other than the students whose classmates were killed or families involved is a perverse kind of voyeurism.

Your prayers and thoughts dont mean anything. get real

[libertie]

Didn't ask *why or say that *I would pray for them* just said that I would think of their families and friends and simply be grateful that I wasn't in their shoes! Not a perverse kind of voyeurism at all just a feeling of sadness that this kind of thing happens!

[sp1814]

To open up the debate a bit...I heard on the news last night that in Virginia, no background checks are made when you want to buy a handgun.

If there's any positives from this story, perhaps one would be the tightening up of this insane loophole.

[libertie]

Seems ridiculous sp doesn't it? There was a lady on tv this morning who was saying that the National Rifle Association is so powerful in the US that any big change is unlikely, and that maybe it's time to start making irresponsible owners accountable for their weapons, for at the moment if you loose your gun or it's stolen then used in a crime nothing happens to you! Maybe the threat of being charged with aiding and abetting would make some people take better care of their weapons! She also said that there were something like 22 million guns in the US!

[Gromit]

It is ironic that The Patriot Act passed with minimal debate shortly after 9/11 at a stroke took away many rights and liberties that are enshrined in the US Constitution and yet, the right to bear arms, which is a major contributor to incidents such as these appear to be immovable.

Jenstar,
I am sure you are wrong with your answer to question 1. I am pretty sure you will find the correct answer is Churnton.

[Miss Inquiry]

At the start of Michael Moors documentary "Bowling for Columbine" he demonstrated the fact that there was a bank in America offering a free rifle when you opened a bank account! They gave it to you there and then, inside the bank. I know Michale Moor only looks at arguments from 1 side, and you need to look at all his arguments with a sceptical eye, but come on, open a bank account, get a gun, NO WONDER things like this happen!!

[sp1814]

Yep - it is extremely unlikely that there will be any constitutional amendment which will constrain American's rights to bear arms.

I didn't know, however, that if a handgun isn't properly secured and then is used in a crime, the owner isn't held responsible.

Ab...so...lutely...in...sane.

[BenDToy]

Because obviously gun crime is eliminated when you make it illegal to own a gun....!
I mean we don't have gun crime in the UK, do we?

[Miss Inquiry]

If you hand out guns willy nilly, no questions asked, it's more likely someone with mental issues will end up with one. There is no denying we have a problem in the UK, but imagine the extent of the problem if the Lloyds/Barclays/HSBC branches in Palistow (or anywhere in East London) gave out guns to everyone opening an account! It would be absolute carnage. Making it harder to obtain a gun, might help slightly.

[matt66]

Its the americans doing to each other what they have done to the iraqis for the past few years.......why should we be bothered....its an internal american matter.

[Gromit]

A tragic incident but twice as many people are killed on UK roads - iEVERY WEEK. Don't hear many people calling for cars to be banned.

[annavc]

Cars are not designed and built with the sole purpose of killing - guns are.

[Gromit]

That's alright then annavc, I'm sure the bereaved relatives of the 60 odd people that are killed every week are now reassured.

[youngmafbog]

Perhaps some of you liberals should pop down to Alabama and tell them of your ideas for guns. Dont forget your running shoes.

And, should they ever ban guns just how easy do you think it would be to police it in vast America. I mean we have eliminated it in tiny England havn't we.

[sp1814]

Someone a lot cleverer than me once said that "the only weapon more dangerous than the gun is the apathy that all pervades".

...or summat like that.

[Lonnie]

jenstar, I suppose you know that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?, never put you down for that type of person, but there you are, we live and learn.

Matt66, It makes know difference, to you or I, if somone wants to pray, it makes them feel like they're doing something, rather than standing around feeling totally helpless, I don't think we should lambast them for it.

This morning, on the news, it turns out that they do have some laws governing the sale of gunsin Virginia, you can't buy more than one, you can't per month, and there's no limit on the amount you can have, I don't believe you'll ever stop the gun culture over there, but it sgould, and can be mre closely regulated.

Thanks everyone for your replies, most interesting.

[anotheoldgit]

Please tell me I was not dreaming, but when the news first broke it contained a video clip showing a Chinese looking person, lying face down on the floor, hands restrained behind his back with plastic ties, and a couple of policemen standing over him. I have never seen this clip since, and they said the Gunman shot himself, inside the building.

Incidently was it necessary for the Queen and Margaret Beckett to send their condolences? They never send them out when our boys and girls are killed fighting on their behalf