another horrible high school shooting in Ohio

[flowerseverywhere]

Words cannot express how awful it is to have another tragic shooting in a high school. My heart goes out to all of those affected.

I don't understand why this keeps happening.

[Mrs-M]

Very tragic. Bless the families.

Originally posted by Flowerseverywhere.
I don't understand why this keeps happening.

Maybe the NRA will weigh-in on the matter, providing the public (and those who lost loved ones) with an explanation, while at the same time, reiterating the importance of ones right to bare arms (and carry).

IMO, as long as the current US policy is allowed to stand, where people (anyone) can possess firearms and in turn, take those firearms with them anywhere, i.e., to schools, universities, public swimming pools, theatres, hospitals, public events, restaurants, bowling alleys, you name it, in other words anywhere/everywhere, the people of the United States will continue to bare witness to such ill-reminders of a failed system.

When government and organizations choose to run a country with the mindset of a continuation of the wild, wild west, then this is ultimately the end result. (This is what happens). HELLO!!! WAKEY- WAKEY! (Anyone home in the White House)?

But what amazes me the most regarding the gun-policy in the US, is that originally, at least according to how I understand it, the law to "bare arms", was upheld to provide homeowners with the means to rightfully protect their property, yet somehow, along the way, the law was extended forth (and beyond) to allow regular, ordinary, everyday people (citizens) to possess (and carry) willy-nilly fashion (outside of their homes), and from a sane standpoint, that is absurd.

[Alan]

Very tragic. Bless the families.

Maybe the NRA will weigh-in on the matter, providing the public (and those who lost loved ones) with an explanation, while at the same time, reiterating the importance of ones right to bare arms (and carry).

IMO, as long as the current US policy is allowed to stand, where people (anyone) can possess firearms and in turn, take those firearms with them anywhere, i.e., to schools, universities, public swimming pools, theatres, hospitals, public events, restaurants, bowling alleys, you name it, in other words anywhere/everywhere, the people of the United States will continue to bare witness to such ill-reminders of a failed system.

When government and organizations choose to run a country with the mindset of a continuation of the wild, wild west, then this is ultimately the end result. (This is what happens). HELLO!!! WAKEY- WAKEY! (Anyone home in the White House)?

But what amazes me the most regarding the gun-policy in the US, is that originally, at least according to how I understand it, the law to "bare arms", was upheld to provide homeowners with the means to rightfully protect their property, yet somehow, along the way, the law was extended forth (and beyond) to allow regular, ordinary, everyday people (citizens) to possess (and carry) willy-nilly fashion, and from a sane standpoint, absurd.

Except that none of those assumptions are true. There are strict limitations on who may possess and carry firearms, as well as strict limitations on where they may be legally carried.

In the incident cited, the juvenile involved had no legal right to possess the weapon, anywhere at any time, especially at his school as it is illegal for anyone other than law enforcement personnel to carry a weapon on school property.

The system is not failed per se, but admittedly flawed, IMHO, as it allows, in many states, everyday people the ability to protect themselves from this sort of wanton destruction just about everywhere except the location of this tragic violence.

[JaneV2.0]

At this point in the story, I'm guessing prescription psychoactive drugs. Every third kid seems to be on one or another.

[CathyA]

I agree whole-heartedly Mrs. M., but you know what the gun owners here are going to say................

In this country, the rights of the individual are more important than the rights of the whole................which will lead to nothing good.
And the right to bare arms was written back when there wasn't much of a system of law to protect people.
I see this country as "individual rights gone awry". Like a cancer that the body is supporting and giving rights to. That body won't last long.

[Mrs-M]

Originally posted by Alan.
There are strict limitations on who may possess and carry firearms, as well as strict limitations on where they may be legally carried.

This is where I get lost, so many restrictions involved, but it is my understanding that any gun-owner can freely toss a pistol or rifle into their car, and head out for the day to do whatever. If that be the case, then IMO the law is too lax.

[Mrs-M]

JaneV2.0. As an outsider, what I am seeing is a lack of responsible example. When a law affords everyday average citizens the right to drive around in their vehicles with loaded firearms in their possession, that to me does not reflect a healthy and stable example.

Originally posted by CathyA.
I see this country as "individual rights gone awry".

I wholeheartedly agree.

Originally posted by CathyA.
the right to bare arms was written back when there wasn't much of a system of law to protect people.

This makes solid sense to me. An old, outdated law, in desperate need of a complete overhaul and revamping.

[flowerseverywhere]

does anyone know where he got the gun?

There are millions of people around the world who own guns for protection, hunting or sport. They do not shoot and kill innocent people. Most people don't get in a car and drive drunk yet there are DWI deaths every year (probably every day.)

personally I am neutral on the right to bear arms. I don't care to own one but I live in a big hunting area and I don't care if someone else has guns as long as they are properly locked up from children and used with responsibility.

I was trying to find statistics on what the death by gun use rate is in the US and other countries, or even causes of death in the US but could not find a reliable source. Are guns that are used to shoot other people illegal or legal? The nearby city that has some shootings are not done by people who have gun licenses and training, but street thugs from everything I have read. This shooting does not seem to be that type of shooting though.

[JaneV2.0]

International rankings:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ted_death_rate

The thought-provoking documentary Bowling for Columbine discusses this at length, pointing out that other countries with liberal gun ownership laws (Canada, Switzerland) don't have the firearms-related carnage we do. American exceptionalism.

[Mrs-M]

Canada, the "second largest nation in the world" ranks "7" on the list of top 10 safest places to live. (The US didn't make the list). So much for allowing every Tom, Dick, and Harry, the right to own and possess.