Are Americans weird when it comes to guns?

[northswell]

What i find totally crazy is that this kind of thing gets so easily forgotten by the masses.

I must admitt its a little blip on my radar.

I have read every post and find the whole subject interesting.

But.

A country that is not prepared to changs its historic laws for the good can only expect this to happen somewhere soon some how.

The second amendment, sorry if thats the wrong one, was drawn up in order so that you could get together a malitia, before you had a proper armed force. If you were to read this as it was written, you would be able to arm yourself with a musket. An outdated firearm for an outdated law?

I may have some of these facts wrong so correct me if i am.
Mark

[tomcat360]

The actual text:

"Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. "

Didn't see anything about a musket....nor an automatic AR15 on the other hand.

I don't know if I've said this on here yet--but the guy from VA Citz' Defence League would probably be tarred and feathered if that statment aired on our news. Unfortunately that's what the media has put out over there, and at no fault of the viewers', they now have a tainted view on Americans, because this one guy makes it sound like that's the American mentallity. If the other students had weapons they would probably a.) not know what to do with them b.) not have the nerve to do it and c.) not have a steady enough mind in a situation like that to do it. It would have lead to more confusion definately.

[Otter]

Nope you got it right, 2nd Amendment.

With the right to keep and bear arms, come responsibilities as well. The Founding Father's probably didn't envision fruitcakes running about with semi-automatic weapons, this is true. It's up to the legislatures of the various states as well as the Federal Gov. to ensure that laws are written and applied properly. Often this does not happen. An individuals rights can trump those of the masses, as in the case of the shooter. It's unfortunate that this imperfection exists, but it's one Americans choose to live with, at least so far...

[Otter]

tomcat,
Not sure if you'd heard about this, apparently not. There was an incident with an exchange student from Africa, who killed one of his professors due to a dispute over a grade. Two students went to their vehicles, got their guns and the African guy surrendered. Not sure what campus this occured at, but I believe it occured within the last year.

[Otter]

G's, sorry about posting again...

But I understand there are guys in the UK that are currently working on Kevlar reinforced hoodies. As stabbings have become more common in the UK they are becoming economically feasible due to an increase in demand. The Kevlar reinforced hoodies are specifically designed to resist penetration by knives. Should someone on this side of the water start a thread about how Brits are wierd about their knives?

[RJD]

You can run away from a knife, you cant kill someone the other side of the street with a knife, you cant (realistically) kill 30+ people no matter how many knives you have on you.

Knives have legitimate uses in society.

But disregarding that the law in the UK specifically bans carrying knives too(apart from some reasonable exceptions), so you've again already crossed the legal line before you kill someone.

UK law also doesn't specify what a 'weapon' is, if excessive force/violence is used in any situation (even in the home) anything could be a weapon.

Carrying a gun, legally, for protection, puts you and everyone else in inherently more danger, not less. The situations where some armed hero saves the day are going to be hugely out numbered by psychos on shooting sprees, home accidents, people getting their own guns used on them etc.

How many times would people stop to think when in split second situations or when scared instead of just pulling their gun and blasting? Its hard enough for the police(in the UK) to get it right. So much so that theres a huge lack of armed response officers & no great queue of coppers lining up for the training.

[tomcat360]

tomcat,
Not sure if you'd heard about this, apparently not. There was an incident with an exchange student from Africa, who killed one of his professors due to a dispute over a grade. Two students went to their vehicles, got their guns and the African guy surrendered. Not sure what campus this occured at, but I believe it occured within the last year.

Yeah, I think I may have heard something about that, but if everyone was armed at tech, think of how many people wouldn't be able to do it. I mean this isn't supposed to be degrading or stereotypical, but a city-girl, 19 year old teenager, with a handgun, probably wouldn't be able to do it. I am a country boy who has been shooting guns his whole life, and I'm not sure if I could do it.

However, it has been done, I can't argue that. The place with the guy you were talking about I think was at Radford, like 15 miles from tech.

Here's Ted Nugent talking about it:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/19/commen ... index.html

[jethrodog]

What i find totally crazy is that this kind of thing gets so easily forgotten by the masses.

I must admitt its a little blip on my radar.

I have read every post and find the whole subject interesting.

But.

A country that is not prepared to changs its historic laws for the good can only expect this to happen somewhere soon some how.

The second amendment, sorry if thats the wrong one, was drawn up in order so that you could get together a malitia, before you had a proper armed force. If you were to read this as it was written, you would be able to arm yourself with a musket. An outdated firearm for an outdated law?

I may have some of these facts wrong so correct me if i am.
Mark

I think people need to remember how the USA came into being. The country I live in, Canada, was "allowed" to become an independant state, England has been trying (and doing it) to dominate the rest of the world for who knows how long (sorry guys, but it's true ). But the USA had to fight it's way out of what they considered a bad situation, to gain their independence. The british government tried to suppress the people by not allowing them to have firearms, so they couldn't form any resistance. They felt the need to encourage people to have weapons so that they could defend their liberty at any given time because of the past history. And I think (just my opinion) that over time the USA has had a "me against the world" thought process because of their road to independence. Does this justify their gun laws? No. Does it mean that their laws aren't outdated? Not necessarily. But I don't think that we, as residences of other countries, can say "why haven't they changed that out dated law, it makes no sense?" Maybe it does to them in their situation.

Anyways, maybe that makes sense, maybe not

[CheeZee]

Should someone on this side of the water start a thread about how Brits are wierd about their knives?

...yeh man , why not

i think the knife thing in this country is more of a paranoia issue than a wanting to be armed .. but we are as likely as US citizens to have more gun crime should we have similiar weapon legislations to the US .

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

tomcat,
Not sure if you'd heard about this, apparently not. There was an incident with an exchange student from Africa, who killed one of his professors due to a dispute over a grade. Two students went to their vehicles, got their guns and the African guy surrendered. Not sure what campus this occured at, but I believe it occured within the last year.

Yeah, I think I may have heard something about that, but if everyone was armed at tech, think of how many people wouldn't be able to do it. I mean this isn't supposed to be degrading or stereotypical, but a city-girl, 19 year old teenager, with a handgun, probably wouldn't be able to do it. I am a country boy who has been shooting guns his whole life, and I'm not sure if I could do it.

However, it has been done, I can't argue that. The place with the guy you were talking about I think was at Radford, like 15 miles from tech.

Here's Ted Nugent talking about it:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/19/commen ... index.html

Ya, you have that right. How many people can truthfully say that they can look someone in the eyes before pulling the trigger. It takes a different kind of person. I know alot of people that have multiple killed combatants are are all effed up from it now.

About the US Metality, the 'me against the world" thing. I Definatly see that. They have fought for what they have. They have tried to fight for what they dont have(Canada, they did try to invade us twice). They have always been fighting, so people generally think that they need firearms for protection.

[ginat]

Did a poll here at work and we all agreed we don't want Canada. Really. Lovely place with equally lovely people but we don't want it---yet. Oh lord that made me laugh. We have enough to take care of here without adding more. We'll probably just wait until we run out of wood... (I borrowed that from some comedian I heard on tv).

[jethrodog]

Don't forget the water. Oooh, the cool, clear, water. You mark my words, it will be bigger than oil. BIGGER!! ANd we have almost all of it. hehehe. Then you yanks will come a runnin' to us. Oh, we'll have you then. hehehe. We beat you back before, we can do it again. hehehe.

[Dr Rev]

Having lived in Canada, it does make me laugh about the bickering between Canada and the US ! But we have to put up with Quebec !

But we are all friends anyway with our own problems !


Sermon over

[CheeZee]

lmao Ginat and Jethro ... absolute class !!

... i dunno though ginat .. whistler mountain is worth having and some parts of Vancouver are useful for the garden.

[jethrodog]

And don't forget about Vegreville, with the world's largest easter egg and a UFO landing pad.
Now you want us, don't ya Ginat, oh I know it....

[ginat]

And don't forget about Vegreville, with the world's largest easter egg and a UFO landing pad.
Now you want us, don't ya Ginat, oh I know it....

Oh, now that you mention it, we want you badly my friend....

[CheeZee]

lmao ... and has said landing pad been used recently ?!! .. just wondering if i could hitch a ride home

[Dr Rev]

Can you drop me off Cheezee ?

[CheeZee]

lmfao .. shall we see if we can get a group booking ?! .. baggsy i get the window seat lmfao

[tomcat360]

I think I'd kinda like Canada, good outdoors stuff.

Bit too much cold water though

Does the US and Canada really bicker that much? I've never really bickered with too many Canadians