Guns- Putting it in perspective in my real world.

imp said:
My point is that, unless clear and factual data be presented showing homicides committed, let's say, using other than a firearm as a lethal device, the mere presence of firearms does not cause murder. imp
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There is no gun data because the NRA lobbyist and the ringwing congress voted against it

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/o...0140318&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=31465010&_r=1

Our country's violent deaths by guns problem is caused by the ready AVAILABILITY of guns.

This latest shooter had THIRTEEN guns!

The argument that cities with the strictest gun control has more deaths will not wash as the gun control laws are not universal, anyone wanting a gun only has to drive 20 miles down the road to buy them.
 
As a teacher I cannot begin to imagine the scenario of rehearsing a lockdown with school children.
We did regularly rehearse safe evacuation in the event of fire, but never gunfire.

From Ameriscot's these last couple of paragraphs stand out for me (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rehearsing-for-death-a-pre-k-teacher-on-the-trouble-with-lockdown-drills/2014/10/28/4ab456ea-5eb2-11e4-9f3a-7e28799e0549_story.html)

I teach in a country awash in weaponry. Maybe that moment I stood alone in my classroom was when I was closest to the truth. In 13 minutes, according to my gruesome and involuntary mental calculus, a single gunman with his effortlessly obtained XM15-E2S rifle and 26 rounds in each of two additional magazines could potentially kill 78 of us. Even considering the time it takes to calmly reload.

Instead of controlling guns and inconveniencing those who would use them, we are rounding up and silencing a generation of schoolchildren, and terrifying those who care for them. We are giving away precious time to teach and learn while we cower in fear.
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My 5 year old granddaughter just started school. She doesn't really know why they do it, just that it's part of school. The 10 year old said she is given many reasons for doing it. Didn't get any other details.
 
Warrigal said:
Are you saying that the root cause is that "life is cheap" today? Is that the real problem?
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No. Life is the most precious thing we have, and it is never cheap.

The problem is the perception by many of the disaffected that life is cheap. Or that other people's lives are cheaper than their own. And the perception by many that they are entitled to what they want when they want it, and if they don't get it is someone else's (or society's) fault they don't get it. And that if they don't get it the reasonable response is to hurt or killto "teach them a lesson" or "express themselves." And the perception that they have the right to live a life where nothing offends them or "dis-es" them -- of you don't get that, then kill the offender.
 
I don't mind the 'anti-gun' view, to each their own. Guns have protected my life, I have protected others with guns as well.

Here on the edge of civilization the police cannot provide protection, like in the city.

If someone invades your castle, the neighbors will not know...unless they hear gunshots.
 
"This latest shooter had THIRTEEN guns!"


Seems pretty silly to me that the NUMBER of firearms owned by an individual should be of such grievous concern. Only one may be used at one time, no? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of firearms collectors who own numbers of guns that would no doubt frighten the wits out of you. It is estimated that 40 to 60 MILLION handguns are privately owned in the State of Texas. That number would amount to over two handguns for every man, woman, and child, given Texas' 2014 population of 27 million persons. imp
 
QS, let's work in tandem. I will treat the rampant denial so prevalent on this site, and you can play Florence Nightingale to all the wounds caused by the rest of us beating our heads against the wall, again and again and again. Lol.
 
Did you have any doubt that this mass shooting wouldn't be any different from the hundreds of others? A million excuses why there should be no control over guns... the same old tired talking points bought and paid for by the NRA.... Then silence... until the NEXT mass shooting only to be taken out and dusted off again.. NOTHING is EVER going to change.
 
QS I hope you are wrong. I hope the younger generations will see things differently. We know what will happen if things continue down this path. For the millions of Americans who feel as you do, the despair must be palpable. I am so sorry that
things seem so hopeless.
 
Shalimar said:
QS I hope you are wrong. I hope the younger generations will see things differently. We know what will happen if things continue down this path. For the millions of Americans who feel as you do, the despair must be palpable. I am so sorry that
things seem so hopeless.
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Oh, please, Shali ... "palpable despair", "hopeless" ...

The first time QS is saved by someone with a gun she'll be singing their praises. It's the people who have never been in a situation that protest the loudest.

Guns HAVE helped save my life, on more than one occasion - I won't speak against them.
 
SifuPhil said:
Oh, please, Shali ... "palpable despair", "hopeless" ...

The first time QS is saved by someone with a gun she'll be singing their praises. It's the people who have never been in a situation that protest the loudest.

Guns HAVE helped save my life, on more than one occasion - I won't speak against them.
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Never BEEN in the.situation???? .. I almost lost a child to gun violence... and DON'T you DARE minimize that with your flippant remark..... By the way PHIL... Have you ever seen YOUR child with a HOLE in his face??? Bleeding to death??? He was TEN years old.
 
With respect, Phil, I have been in many such situations. I did not have a conventional childhood. I was raped, tortured, beaten, confined, sold multiple times for years and years and years. Please do not treat me with condescension. Forcibly taught to use a gun during human chess matches. I was threatened more than once with being shot because of my attempts to protect other children. Creased three times. If I had not been seen as breeding stock, I would have died along with so many others. I learned how to use throwing knives also. Learned how to incapacitate other children. Out of fifteen child slaves/child whores, this woman, once known as "the doll," is the only survivor. There is more than one kind of strength Phil. Disagree with me if you will, Phil, but I deserve your respect. Pax.
 
I think it's PHIL that hasn't really been in any real life situations... Talks a mighty fine game.... all bravado... and a lot of talk... but never has really lived the real deal.

I should have never shared my experience. I am sitting here seeing my baby with his face blow open..... I am in a really bad place now and PHIL.... You haven't helped... Although I suppose your EASTERN philosophy will place the blame on my 10 year old child... won't it.... ? Come on Phil... bring it ON!!!
 
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Hey QS. Take heart, flashbacks are hell. I do understand. I commend your courage in speaking your truth, and remaining steadfast in your beliefs regardless of personal cost. Some will not hear you, regardless, but some will. One less child/woman/man/group of people injured or killed makes what we endured/endure manageable--most of the time. If you need to talk I will listen.
 
It's just that it's so easy for some to talk a big talk...Stand on the 2nd amendment and their constitutional rights.. Unless someone has seen their loved one, particularly their child shot and bleeding... THEN they can tell me how they feel about guns.. Until then... They simply have no credibility in my book.. I pity them for their lack of humaneness
 
Quicksilver, I'm very sorry about what happened to your son, I can't imagine how you felt at the time and are still feeling today. Although I am pro-gun, I completely understand your strong feelings against them.
 
Anger is easy if one has been a victim of horror. The rage never leaves you. Some of us live lives of constant vigilance, with dragons in boxes, straining to be released. It would be cathartic to open the cage, and let the firestorm begin, join the Apocalypse, erupt in violence of all kinds. Ohhhh, the Power! I choose not to live that way. Destruction is easy. I choose positive strength and nurturing instead. I walk the high wire between humanity and pathology, open, loving, compassionate, and vulnerable to the best of my ability. Forever broken also. There is no cure for PTSD. Remission, only. Ultimately, the pit is your true home, though furloughs are frequent. But, my spirit endures. I will not embrace violence, only healthy vulnerability. I will serve as a wounded healer wherever possible. . I will never carry a gun. I will stand witness for those innocents who have been, or will be victimised, or die in the attempt. I refuse to be afraid. I refuse to hate. I refuse to hide. I will put my body and my mind out there for what I believe. In the end, there is only kindness.
 
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I would like to apologize to the group for losing my temper on this topic... it's a hot button topic for me as you can see.. I normally never speak of it when involved in a "gun" debate.. and will, in the future keep to that rule..
 

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