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[fqllve]

I don't want to end up on a terrorist watch list, but there are a lot of ways to make a bomb. How well DID laws prevent the IRA from their bombings?

You can't go buy bombs in a store though. That's the difference. Maybe these assholes should have to make their own automatic weapons like they do their bombs.

[Max White]

Having a police officer at a school would be helpful, but I'm not sure if it'd be worthwhile. The number of people who die in a school shooting each year in the US is... something along the lines of 15~30 people. That's out of 100,000 public schools. Having the officers visit the highschools to talk about the shooting would be a better use of time and money, especially since they could also touch upon other matters while they're there.

Like I said, where I am things are pretty safe and the police can turn up very quickly, so most likely not worth it here.
I'm not sure just how effective enforcement to crime is over there, so I can't say if it is a worthwhile option for the US, but it is worth pointing out as an option.

Hitler and nazis would ban guns.

Did i win the thread?

Yes you win thread.

[Sir Finkus]

No, but it does give people a better chance in future incidents where the shooter may not be armored, as well as make sure that authorities are already on scene who can try and take control of the situation in a calm manner and get people to safety. And like Finkus said, they also offer an educational benefit. They can give lessons on safety in an emergency and would be able to run school drills.

Having a police officer at a school would be helpful, but I'm not sure if it'd be worthwhile. The number of people who die in a school shooting each year in the US is... something along the lines of 15~30 people. That's out of 100,000 public schools. Having the officers visit the highschools to talk about the shooting would be a better use of time and money, especially since they could also touch upon other matters while they're there.

Well, there are also secondary benefits.  Having a cop nearby does wonders to decrease vandalism and fights.  I personally found having an officer at the school helpful for an incident I was involved in.

[Hiiri]

I don't want to end up on a terrorist watch list, but there are a lot of ways to make a bomb. How well DID laws prevent the IRA from their bombings?

Pretty well, it seems, if they needed an entire organisation to pull them off.

Edit: Not it, them. My bad.

[Urist_McDrowner]

Those were multiple.


Rust, aluminum and a propane tank could do the job also.

[Frumple]

Kinda' wish this thread hadn't made me curious as to what kind of death rate youngin's are hitting in a more global sense. Tragedy's a tragedy, but... I'unno. Ran some rough numbers, looks like somewhere around twenty-six thousand kids died today if the 10 million/year, for those five and under, that wikipedia spat out is distributed evenly per day. I know, I know, we can multitask and "bigger problems" is somewhat irrelevant and whatever, it's just, I guess it hits me less. What is twenty gone when twenty thousand went with them? Had 800 or so pass today, going by just the USA, if the CIA's numbers on infant mortality are similarly distributed. Somewhat different age group, sure, but...

I guess it's a disproportionate response thing, or... something? I'unno. Kinda' hate general media more and more. Glad no one's been home today to turn on the TV and get hit with the circus around this thing Heart goes out to th'folks who lost family, s'just... small, I guess? Unsure about it, really. Probably end up waiting 'till more information is available to have any opinion beyond that.

[Hiiri]

It's all entertainment. People weep over this for a bit, then wonder what else is on.

[Urist_McDrowner]

Switzerland: Every man between 20-30 owns a fully automatic weapon.

School shootings? None.

[Twi]

Switzerland: Every man between 20-30 owns a fully automatic weapon.

School shootings? None.

Of course, I'm pretty sure that's (the weapon ownership) got something to do with mandatory military service, IIRC. Which is probably not going to be part of the equation in the US any time soon. Soooo there is that.

[Urist_McDrowner]

Switzerland: Every man between 20-30 owns a fully automatic weapon.

School shootings? None.

Of course, I'm pretty sure that's got something to do with mandatory military service. Which is obviously not going to part of the equation in the US any time soon.

So wait, are you saying that MORE guns, even, EEEEEEEEEEVIL A SALT WEPPINS, make us safer?

[Lagslayer]

Posting to watch people bicker and nobody changes their mind.

[fqllve]

Except there are mental and physical evaluations before conscription in Switzerland. So they aren't putting automatic weapons into the hands of people who are mentally unstable.

And how do automatic weapons make us safer? I can buy the argument that handguns can prevent crimes, but automatic rifles? Only going to protect you against someone with body armor and automatic weapons themselves.

[Owlbread]

This is a terrible tragedy. All I can say about it on that level is that I have no concept of what these parents must be going through right now, it's just unthinkable. I'm reminded of the Dunblane primary school massacre in mid 90s that got handguns banned in all forms in the UK, so I don't think the 2nd amendment is going to emerge from this unscathed. I'll offer no comment on it, seeing as it's up to the American people to decide what's best for their country.

I will, however, put this to you. Obama sheds tears today for the children lost. Understandably so, if I was in his position I would. But I ask you this: has Obama shed any tears for the 160+ children killed in US drone attacks in Pakistan since 2006, the majority of whom under his presidency? One wonders.

[fqllve]

I will, however, put this to you. Obama sheds tears today for the children lost. Understandably so, if I was in his position I would. But I ask you this: has Obama shed any tears for the 160+ children killed in US drone attacks in Pakistan since 2006, the majority of whom under his presidency? One wonders.

...do we really need to add another fire to this thread? I understand your problem with the drone attacks, but isn't this thread vitriolic enough without adding another argument to it that's only tangentially related?

[Urist_McDrowner]

Except there are mental and physical evaluations before conscription in Switzerland. So they aren't putting automatic weapons into the hands of people who are mentally unstable.

And how do automatic weapons make us safer? I can buy the argument that handguns can prevent crimes, but automatic rifles? Only going to protect you against someone with body armor and automatic weapons themselves.

The guy who did this didn't own a gun lawfully. He stole one and shot his mother. What's to prevent someone from stealing a Swiss gun? Smuggle some ammo out of a range, steal a gun, shoot.

My point is, guns don't seem to make ANY difference. And arming the law abiding citizenry, as Switzerland did, is not hurting them at all.