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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (333912)	4/18/2007 2:36:49 PM
From: d[-_-]b	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1571748

re:Having everyone carry firearms to class is not a viable solution in my mind because most of us would rather not have to. That's a lefty lie - no one advocates "everyone" carry, they say allow those that wish to carry, self defense is a right not a requirement. A gun free zone makes everyone a victim unless you can pass everyone through a metal detector. Everyone saw this guy was odd - but his first amendment rights allow him to say odd even dangerous things. How willing are you to put controls on that right - allow teachers to report and record his mental health status which would then be in a police database to be used when he attempts to purchase a gun. There is a question on the form when buying a gun about your mental health, but it's sort of voluntary to provide truthful answers.

To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (333912)	4/18/2007 5:32:44 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1571748

As for gun control laws, I think both sides are going to hurt their case by calling this a "random act," which I believe it is. Gun control advocates would be punishing law-abiding citizens for a "random act," while 2nd amendment advocates would have no answer for how to prevent potential psychopath murderers from getting their hands on a gun. Having everyone carry firearms to class is not a viable solution in my mind because most of us would rather not have to. In a country where there are so many guns, its very possible that he could have gotten a hold of gun illegally. But given the way things are in VA......it was as easy as buying a pack of cigarettes. Our national psyche is very screwed up over this issue, and the NRA only helps to exacerbate the problem. Here's a view from someone outside the country.......it makes us look very ridiculous: "Gun control is one of the most fraught issues in the USA. It may be incomprehensible to Australians, but guns, like abortion, occupy a unique, high-profile position in US politics. The right to own a gun and defend oneself is central to the American identity and stems in part from the nation's frontier history. Guns were integral to America's westward expansion, enabling settlers to guard themselves from Indians, animals and foreign armies. Citizens assumed much responsibility for self-protection. The 'Wild West' mentality is still evident in the US psyche today. A notable example was Mr Bush's famous rhetoric after the September 11 terrorist attacks that he wanted Osama bin Laden 'dead or alive'. The importance of guns also derives from the role of hunting in American culture. In the nation's early years, hunting was essential for food and shelter, and today remains very popular as both a sport and a way of life in many parts of the country." abc.net.au