Guns in the USA

My fingers are crossed for the January 6 Committee Mom3.

I don't think those, here, who think Trump is great, understand just what this attitude to guns means. The relative who told us about the shootings nearby also checked in with her sister as she had heard of a shooting in a church near where her sister used to live, in Birmingham, AL. On checking it seems all three of her sisters friends who go to that church are okay.

But this happens day, after day, after day.

Sounds horrendous Mom3, and no doubt there are many in Texas who agree, (surely?), but clearly not enough.
I wish those seeking change every success.

I live in California. We are appalled by the gun violence in this country. Our daughter thinks about sending her daughter to college in Canada. My young grandkids talk about intruder drills at school and how they practice staying quiet. I no longer have anything to do with some relatives who support Trump. I am so thankful for the January 6 Committee and for the Democrats.

nanna8

Some Americans are still living in the days of the Wild, Wild West. In their minds at least. They sure have big mouths to match.

The Wild West of the 1800s was followed by the gangster years of the 1900s. Things seemed to calm down in the 1950s and beyond, but since then guns are very much back in circulation just like the old days. Amazing that as a child I watched those old cowboy movies thinking that was a bygone era and yet here we are. Nothing has really changed.

It’s a first step, if it gets put into law will it stop a repeat of Uvalde?.

NO

Some Americans are still living in the days of the Wild, Wild West. In their minds at least. They sure have big mouths to match.

From NYT

U.S. senators reach deal on gun safety
Three weeks after 19 children and two teachers died in a gun massacre at a Texas elementary school, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators yesterday struck a deal on a gun control bill. The agreement includes enhanced background checks for people under the age of 21 and a provision to close the “boyfriend loophole” by extending to dating partners a prohibition on gun ownership for domestic abusers.

The deal, which still faces a perilous path in Congress, amounts to notable progress. But it falls far short of the sprawling reforms that President Biden, gun control activists and a majority of Democrats have long championed, such as universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.

Democrats hailed the plan, which would also toughen federal laws to stop gun trafficking and ensure that all commercial sellers are conducting background checks, as an opportunity to pass the most significant gun safety legislation in decades. The backing of 10 Republicans suggested that the plan could yet draw the 60 votes necessary to pass the Senate.

For the most part, there are checks on people who buy guns. The problem is that we are a very large country, with a large, wide ranging society. We have always valued our freedom. There's a difference now, though. The internet, so much easier modes of transportation, etc. make buying guns much easier. We have drugs now that weren't dreamed of even 50 years ago. Most of all, however, society has changed in that the people don't need to work to stay alive anymore. There are plenty of government benefits that will hold people over. Far too many people with too much time on their hands leads to trouble. We don't have the sense of morality or family that we once had. For crying out loud, one of our Supreme Court Justice candidates couldn't even say what she thought a woman was. People have lost their way in more ways than one. Most importantly, of course, is a belief in God and a shared system of morality. We shared a sense of what was right and wrong. Now there are a lot people who don't think much of anything is wrong. People are separated by distance from the beginning and the core of their family, which used to help keep people's behavior in check. I certainly think that you should have to be older now to buy a long gun. As far as the automatic weapons go, a lot of them are not nearly as automatic as opponents make them sound. However, it's like big game hunting once was. People think it's fun to go shoot a gun that will virtually eradicate a target. Eventually, someone who doesn't have a good grip on their mental health will get their hands on one. A lot of the shootings that we have are in the inner city neighborhoods where young black men and children die everyday because someone has a handgun. It isn't because they have a big gun with tons of bullets. Most times those are not the circumstances around the shooting. Did you know that people could make a gun with a 3D printer? How ridiculous is that? There isn't one single answer to the problem, except, in my mind, we should get away from the promotions, activities, ideas etc. which promote such bizarre behavior. Example, the Hollywood elite love to play with guns and get paid for it. They are constantly blowing things up and killing people and they get awards for it. It saturates the society. Yes, we have free speech. However, it seems weird that so many people want to talk in a language that equates murder all the time.

* And why is it often the religious God-fearin' Right who are the most vocal - those same individuals who are incensed at the prospect of a woman terminating a pregnancy, calling it 'murder', yet who are seemingly well able to tolerate the murder of innocent people (and so many of them school children)?*

And I’ve yet to see any evidence of the same God fearin’ right giving a toss about what will happen to unwanted children if they manage to outlaw abortion in all cases. Don’t generally see them lining up with offers of help, as much as intimidating people outside clinics.

Does anyone remember Michael Moore's film "Bowling for Columbine" which researched this subject many years ago after one of the first publicised school shootings? Of course, the gun lobby said it was all hooey. Less biased critics have also said that it was one-sided but even if only half the facts he stated were true it is still bad enough.

On YouTube there are many videos of Americans who have lived or studied outside America, giving examples of "How America messed me up". After they have all discovered that going to the doctor is not financially prohibitive anywhere except in the US, they all have stories of how they dived under the table when they heard a loud bang, only to feel silly when everyone is staring at them when they come out.... ( There are probably lots of videos demonstrating the opposite view but the algorithm finds similar ones once you start watching that kind of thing.)

It’s complete madness to allow anyone to buy automatic weapons. No one needs an automatic weapon. The idea you protect children from mass murder by arming teachers is so crazy I’m astounded anyone with a brain could suggest it.
The link between white evangelical Christians, Republicans and the right to bare arms is another challenge ?

Not knowing details on Biden he has to be the better man compared with dangerous and the wholly dreadful Trump who I fear will try again for political power.

Galaxy

I am not sure whether I would use that phrase but I dont agree with Bidens handling of some issues, the relief that he isnt Trump shouldnt outweigh everything.

... the relief that he isnt Trump shouldnt outweigh everything.

Good point!

BTW - the GOP 'insiders' aren't counting Trump out in 2024 - not even the sceptics! And he's hinting at another run for the Presidency .

A choice between Tweedledum and Tweedledee... unless Biden's ousted before then!

I am not sure whether I would use that phrase but I dont agree with Bidens handling of some issues, the relief that he isnt Trump shouldnt outweigh everything.

happycatholicwife1

As a gun owning US citizen, I'm open to all the arguments here, save one. I can tell you from long experience, Biden is not a good man in any sense of the word.

I'm willing to believe you. But you need to give evidence of why Biden is "not a good man".

I’m American, and I can tell you that MOST of us think the gun
laws here are complete lunacy. The quote by Isaac Asimov in the original post really sums up the problem in the US:
“My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”

Juts seen Gerry Springer saying some very interesting things about this subject. He says if the American people had a vote they would ban automatic weapons and have checks, and make the age for ownership 21. He said the current legislation is not what the people want. So basically they should vote on the subject!

Casdon

MayBee70

happycatholicwife1

As a gun owning US citizen, I'm open to all the arguments here, save one. I can tell you from long experience, Biden is not a good man in any sense of the word.

Please elaborate.

I think happycatholicwife1 must be Jill Biden, as that’s the only way she would know if he is a good man in any sense of the word. I’ve sussed her.

I think she meant that Biden is just as crooked as the rest of the politicians.

www.politico.com/news/2022/01/21/its-a-gold-rush-for-lobbying-firms-with-biden-ties-527635

Zonne

Perhaps the most useful thing the US could do in this context is to pass legislation banning politicians from receiving corporate funding.

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner!

open.lib.umn.edu/americangovernment/chapter/9-2-lobbying-the-art-of-influence/

MayBee70

happycatholicwife1

As a gun owning US citizen, I'm open to all the arguments here, save one. I can tell you from long experience, Biden is not a good man in any sense of the word.

Please elaborate.

I think happycatholicwife1 must be Jill Biden, as that’s the only way she would know if he is a good man in any sense of the word. I’ve sussed her.

Perhaps the most useful thing the US could do in this context is to pass legislation banning politicians from receiving corporate funding.

happycatholicwife1

As a gun owning US citizen, I'm open to all the arguments here, save one. I can tell you from long experience, Biden is not a good man in any sense of the word.

Please elaborate.

I do not like guns. But can empathise with someone in a remote area wanting a handgun to feel safe.
What I do not understand is a country that says it’s fine for an 18year old to buy semi automatic weapons with 100s of rounds of bullets without any checks.
Same person is not allowed to buy alcohol. Or a kinder egg.
America. You’re a great country. But this is madness.

As a gun owning US citizen, I'm open to all the arguments here, save one. I can tell you from long experience, Biden is not a good man in any sense of the word.

I read a newspaper article yesterday. There was a poll in the US after the school shooting. 21 people dead, including 19 children and yet fully one third of those polled said that the right to bear arms shouldn’t be repealed and that the ‘odd’ mass shooting was a small price to pay for the freedom to defend yourself. Words fail me.

But what are they defending themselves from? Is every other American a gangster?

And what does an 18 year old youth want with a semi-automatic?

I don't understand their mentality. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition...