Should the media release graphic images of gun violence victims?

SeniorBen

SeniorBen

Senior Member
Some of the children who were shot in Uvalde a couple weeks ago were so disfigured from the gunshots, it was necessary for them to be identified using DNA tests. That's what a bullet from an AR-15 rifle can do to a body.

All we saw in the media was flowers and photographs of the victims when they were alive and happy. Instead, should we see what the victims looked like after they were shot and what damage occurs when the weapon is an AR-15 style rifle?

Here is a brief discussion of the issue at hand:
 

I have seen people and pictures of people that were blown apart by explosives, canon artillery and also by gunfire. I think the shock value could send some people into a having a psychosomatic breakdown. That's no lie. I have seen grown men who looked at just the photos of the aftermath of a bombing where people were blown apart end up in the Psych ward for months and months. It is not a site anyone should ever see. Most individuals look at these types of pictures because they are curious and end of having those images stay within their brain for a long time, if not forever. Grown men waking up screaming in the middle of the night is something no family wants to deal with, yet it is going on even today from past wars and conflicts.

Even though mass shooters don't walk around with a .50 mm machine gun, an AR-15 that is rapid fired can almost create the same outcome of body parts being separated (amputated and-or decapitated) from the body. You think being hit by a car can be a gruesome sight, looking at pictures of a person being hit by an AR-15 3 or 4 times would probably make most people physically ill. Images can have such a very serious psychological effect that it stays with a person for life.
 
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I don’t think it would change anything.

The pro gun people would see the images as a reason to be armed and ready for all eventualities.

The anti gun folks would be outraged and horrified that people are still allowed to own and carry guns.

IMO it would be cruel for the families to see these images floating around on the internet for eternity without any control over how they would be used.
 
Been There said:
I have seen people and pictures of people that were blown apart by explosives, canon artillery and also by gunfire. I think the shock value could send some people into a having a psychosomatic breakdown. That's no lie. I have seen grown men who looked at just the photos of the aftermath of a bombing where people were blown apart end up in the Psych ward for months and months. It is not a site anyone should ever see. Most individuals look at these types of pictures because they are curious and end of having those images stay within their brain for a long time, if not forever. Grown men waking up screaming in the middle of the night is something no family wants to deal with, yet it is going on even today from past wars and conflicts.

Even though mass shooters don't walk around with a .50 mm machine gun, an AR-15 that is rapid fired can almost create the same outcome of body parts being separated (amputated and-or decapitated) from the body. You think being hit by a car can be a gruesome sight, looking at pictures of a person being hit by an AR-15 3 or 4 times would probably make most people physically ill. Images can have such a very serious psychological effect that it stays with a person for life.
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Are you saying that you witnessed this during war or some type of bombing? How did it effect you? While in Vietnam, after a firefight and we either took down the enemy or drove them back, we would do a body count. Some of what I saw then still remains in my mind today, but not to the point where it effects me psychologically.
 
There are some pretty graphic images already 'out there'.
Most kids of school age have already been exposed to horrific imagery that might stick with them. Tho much of it can be made less so by knowing it is fiction. Unless, of couse, they are survivors of such violence. (Whether in mass shooting or witnessing a more personal un death.)

When Stranger Things season 4, filmed many months ago, was released as scheduled soon after the Uvalde shooting, they took the time to put up a warning about the disturbing nature of one scene involving several dead, bloodied kids.

Ultimately i think the decision should be up to each of the the families. If it were my child, i suspect i might mail copies to not only my representives, but to those who've repeatedly watered down or totally blocked sensible gun laws with some very harsh but carefully thought out letters. But i would not want every fool out there using the photo to make memes whether pro or anti sensible gun regs.

I think back to fall of 1963 when many were disturbed by the usually impeccably groomed First Lady refusing to change out of her bloodstained clothes till she had returned to DC, saying "Let them see what they've done."
 
I was at the range yesterday. It’s a small outdoor range owned and operated by a private hunting club, who was smart enough to register it as a 501 corporation for insurance, tax and liability reasons. There are eight stands located about 75-100 feet in front of the target. The stand is used for the shooter’s convenience of placing unloaded weapons and extra cartridges on it. If you’re keeping score, you can also have a pen/pencil and paper. One of the rules is that you can take pictures or video of your shooting only.

My son and I were able to get two stands side by side. He was shooting his .44 magnum and I started with the S&W .40. There was a shooter beside him that would from time to time walk back to his car, which was parked about 30 yards away. What bothered us was the fact that he never set his weapon down on the stand. Instead, he would walk back and forth to his car with his pistol in hand and his finger on the trigger. This is a violation of the rules.

Neither of us knew this person and had never seen him at the range before. We were both hesitant to approach him and remind him of the rules. It’s kind of uncomfortable knowing there is a shooter behind you with a loaded weapon, especially when you don’t know the person or have never seen him before. My son and I decided to just keep an eye on him to make sure he sticks to only firing at the targets. When he left, I took down the description of his car and also his license plate number. When he left, he also failed to clean up his area and pick up the spent cartridges. After I got home, I called the one Director and explained to him what we witnessed. He told me that he was going to have the police run the license number and then run his name to find out if he has a record or if someone may be looking for him. His behavior was unusual.
 
No. Imagine how you would feel if it were a deceased family member or friend lying in the street with a camera focused on it.
No words on how you would cope with seeing it on your TV over and over again. So sad.
 
They are going to release video of Uvalde shooting to the public - that is coming, but it isn't going to be showing the crime scene in the classroom.
Only the cowardly cops in the hallway, and the trail of the shooter into the school I believe.
 
People aren't twisted enough with gory video games? Not enough for them? :cry:

I guess images of dismembered and bloody children would satisfy fiends.
 
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oldman said:
I was at the range yesterday. It’s a small outdoor range owned and operated by a private hunting club, who was smart enough to register it as a 501 corporation for insurance, tax and liability reasons. There are eight stands located about 75-100 feet in front of the target. The stand is used for the shooter’s convenience of placing unloaded weapons and extra cartridges on it. If you’re keeping score, you can also have a pen/pencil and paper. One of the rules is that you can take pictures or video of your shooting only.

My son and I were able to get two stands side by side. He was shooting his .44 magnum and I started with the S&W .40. There was a shooter beside him that would from time to time walk back to his car, which was parked about 30 yards away. What bothered us was the fact that he never set his weapon down on the stand. Instead, he would walk back and forth to his car with his pistol in hand and his finger on the trigger. This is a violation of the rules.

Neither of us knew this person and had never seen him at the range before. We were both hesitant to approach him and remind him of the rules. It’s kind of uncomfortable knowing there is a shooter behind you with a loaded weapon, especially when you don’t know the person or have never seen him before. My son and I decided to just keep an eye on him to make sure he sticks to only firing at the targets. When he left, I took down the description of his car and also his license plate number. When he left, he also failed to clean up his area and pick up the spent cartridges. After I got home, I called the one Director and explained to him what we witnessed. He told me that he was going to have the police run the license number and then run his name to find out if he has a record or if someone may be looking for him. His behavior was unusual.
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Good for you and son for being alert and reporting the infractions and somewhat odd behavior!!
 

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