VT shootings blamed on videogames. I bet you already know the name...

[gundarN]

I don't want to start an argument here or anything, so please don't take this the wrong way.

I like guns, I think they're neat; but I don't think I'd ever own a real one (I have some nice plastic BB guns) as they are just too dangerous.
Why does anyone (besides the army) need them? I live in the UK (Scotland to be exact) and there is some gun crime; but not to a major extent. As you may be aware, UK police don't carry guns, so when I worked at a nuclear site, I felt pretty uneasy driving past police with machine guns; I didn't like it.

I know guys in the US and stuff like to go hunting with rifles, but surely you could give that up, if it meant less people got shot and killed?

[Turbo D]

I know you scottish are famous for fighting the irish, but some people like that dude who did the shooting are pussies. I don't think that a pussy should ruin it for everyone. Not that I own any guns or anything.

[termis]

I don't want to start an argument here or anything, so please don't take this the wrong way.

I like guns, I think they're neat; but I don't think I'd ever own a real one (I have some nice plastic BB guns) as they are just too dangerous.
Why does anyone (besides the army) need them? I live in the UK (Scotland to be exact) and there is some gun crime; but not to a major extent. As you may be aware, UK police don't carry guns, so when I worked at a nuclear site, I felt pretty uneasy driving past police with machine guns; I didn't like it.

I know guys in the US and stuff like to go hunting with rifles, but surely you could give that up, if it meant less people got shot and killed?

I know I'm not gonna change any minds, but my point of view - it's just the principle of the matter:

Why should I, as a law abiding citizen that has never been arrested for anything, give up my right to defend my own life and property?  Why should I put my own safety at the hands of others?  I know many opt to do just that, but I like being control of my own safety.  If someone breaks into my home, what good is calling out for help when I can't defend myself or my family because the other guy is armed (almost certainly illegally), and I'm not?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for stronger enforcement.  If someone that has proven that they shouldn't own a gun is caught, or someone gets hurt because of the gun owner was negligent, let them pay HEAVILY for it, not a slap on the wrist (as is often done now).

Law-abiding gun owners shouldn't suffer because some douchebag decided to go crazy.

I know you scottish are famous for fighting the irish, but some people like that dude who did the shooting are pussies. I don't think that a pussy should ruin it for everyone. Not that I own any guns or anything.

The Scots I know seem to have a much deeper hatred for the English than the Irish 

[gundarN]

The Scots I know seem to have a much deeper hatred for the English than the Irish 

For sure. Not me though. Well, maybe a little.

But if no one had any guns, you wouldn't need a gun to defend yourself. You could use a big stick like I do.

[Necromancer]

'I hate video games! Everything bad and evil is caused by video games!  Hitler played Doom, it's not his fault!'  Blah, blah, blah - just another jack ass with an ax to grind.  The question is - why did Fox 'News' allow this scum bag any airtime?  Blame for this tragedy can be placed in this order: 1) the trigger man or possibly men; 2) the criminal gun seller; 3) the university for inadequate security and for not taking appropriate action after the first shots were fired.  Some will disagree with me, but they're wrong.

[Kitsunexus]

The question is - why did Fox 'News' allow this scum bag any airtime? 

Because calling Fox News a serious news station with professional journalists is like calling dog shit filet mignon.

[GUTS]

I'd love to see the statistics of gun owners who "defended themselves and their property" compared the statistics of gun owners who were killed by their own weapons.  I've never ONCE heard of someone fending off some burglar or whatever with a gun.

[gundarN]

I've never ONCE heard of someone fending off some burglar or whatever with a gun.

Strangely enough, it happened here in the UK. It was a guy in his 60's on a farm, he'd been burgled a few times and this time he shot one of them with his shotgun (being a farmer, he would have had a license).
The dude got a few years in jail for it.

How can you defend a burgling scumbag?
It appears that you are supposed to stay out of sight and let them rob you. You can get charged even when you only beat the shit out of them.

[Necromancer]

http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_098095821.html

Here's a recent story of self-preservation for you GUTS.  I'm not going to argue that gun ownership will lead to greater safety though, as I'm a firm believer that many dumb f*cks also own guns.

[Hobo Xiphas]

This thread is a trainwreck of seriousness.

I think you all need some ISHMAIL AX

[termis]

Statistics can be used to prove anything.  As they say, there are liars, damn liars, and statisticians.

Stats say that a gun is more likely to be a source of an accident than being used for defense.  But stats also say that a someone with a gun is much more likely to survive the outcome of a robbery (and that includes not resisting against the assailant).  Stats also prove that robberies are higher in areas where gun ownership is tightly controlled or illegal. 

I can't control what others do with their guns.  I can only control what I do, and as long as I don't hurt anyone else with my gun, I shouldn't be presumed guilty.

Once again, I know I'm not going to change any minds.  There are many gray areas in life, and this is certainly one of them.  It's just that a blanket condemnation of all guns/gunowners because of a few nuts is down right wrong.

Hell, even in places Japan, considered a ultra-safe place by most, had some nut go in to an elementary school and stab 22 people (and killing 8 1st/2nd grade kids) with a kitchen knife.

[Hobo Xiphas]

I think we should ban knives

[FM-77]

I've already banned knives, but people are still using them so don't go blaming me for the usage of knives by people!

[Joe Redifer]

I think that someone may have already pointed this out, but people who use guns for criminal intent aren't likely to have gotten their guns through legal means in the first place.  But firearms will never be banned here.  There are also laws that allow you to kill someone who has invaded your property if you feel your life is in danger (doesn't have to be with a gun).  That's a good thing if you ask me.

[Michael Helgeson]

I think that someone may have already pointed this out, but people who use guns for criminal intent aren't likely to have gotten their guns through legal means in the first place.  But firearms will never be banned here.  There are also laws that allow you to kill someone who has invaded your property if you feel your life is in danger (doesn't have to be with a gun).  That's a good thing if you ask me.

Agreed. I have a 12 gage here,its put up in the closet and I dont think we even have any shells here. It was purchased long ago when living in North Little Rock for home protection after my mom was robbed in her home at gun point. The person was caught that day,but ever since then I felt easier living in that city with something that could cut two people in half with one shot up close. These days I do not keep any shells in the house,which is why it sin the closet. This is because where I live at now crime is almost zilch. Banning firearms will not keep guns from criminals. They have too large a underground consumer buy and sell rate now,and plenty to last supply and demand for years upon years.