So ??? is the one saved victim worth it? Or do you claim not one could possibly be saved if gun control were stricter ?
- FlyersFirst

Maybe, but in the case of every "feel good" solution that doesn't actually solve the problem, you have to ask if the time and energy devoted to it couldn't be spent on something that actually works.

Well...I guess I have nothing better to do than jump in here, with a radical (or not so radical) point of view. I do believe the discussion of gun control is tantamount to the survival of this republic striving to maintain a working democracy. But for a discussion to work, both sides have to open their minds to the other side. Events like Friday's massacre are indicators that something is broken in America. According to my records, it's been broken for a while. The damage is so deep that I don't think arm-chair Constitutional experts and weekend psychologists are going to help the matter. Connecticut's tragedy is a time for us to come together and support those who have need. Listening and learning have to be part of this process. I suspect we need to evolve in some direction. The best way? I don't pretend to have the answer. Many of us need to stop pretending.

Of course, I could be wrong. In that case, never mind.
- Giroux_Is_God

You're not wrong in my opinion. The key point you made is "I suspect we need to evolve in some direction". That's a prophetic and correct statement. It's a statement that I hope our leaders heed.

Couple hundred versus couple hundred million.
- Scooby_Doo

what?

Who cares? That's a meaningless label. How would it change anything?
- FlyersFirst

Because that changes the whole discussion. White guy? Gun control problem. Muslim? Terrorist, gota beef up TSA. It would be a completely different conversation.

The argument I cannot stand is that "guns don't kill people, people kill people." Seems like a very good reason not to give semiautomatic assault rifles to people. Since people kill people and all.

Another suggestion I keep hearing, which blows my franking mind, is that "we should just give guns to teachers so they can defend themselves." Excellent! Great idea! Let's put 50 teachers around 1,000 kids, and let's give them guns! Nothing will go wrong then. A 6'4", 250 pound emotional 17-year-old, whose girlfriend just gave half the football team a BJ, won't wrestle a handgun from a 55 year old grandmother geometry teacher and shoot some kids. That would NEVER happen...Not only is that idea stupid, but now we're tacking on another role that these poor, underpaid teachers have to fill.

There's a security guard at nearly every bank. There's few schools with cops or guards. That says something horribly sad about our culture. If there had been 19 mass shootings at banks over the past 5 years, there'd be changes already.

Put a franking security guard or cop at every school. Charge me $100 a year as a taxpayer to cover the cost. We have 150 million people in the workforce. We have 76 million kids in school. We have 100,000 public schools. If the average working American pays $100 a year for this tax, then we can spend $150k per year per school on a security force. Two security guards at every school with this money.

what?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

There are a couple hundred million idiots in the United States.

Can we talk hockey? Or Richardey? Or the NFL games today? AP had another stellar game, Giants got thumped. There's gotta be something more positive to talk about than the massacre..

There's a security guard at nearly every bank. There's few schools with cops or guards. That says something horribly sad about our culture. If there had been 19 mass shootings at banks over the past 5 years, there'd be changes already.

Put a franking security guard or cop at every school. Charge me $100 a year as a taxpayer to cover the cost. We have 150 million people in the workforce. We have 76 million kids in school. We have 100,000 public schools. If the average working American pays $100 a year for this tax, then we can spend $150k per year per school on a security force. Two security guards at every school with this money.
- Humanist4Caps

Yes sir! I talked about this yesterday. We need to protect our schools and our Children. I'll pay the money gladly.

The argument I cannot stand is that "guns don't kill people, people kill people." Seems like a very good reason not to give semiautomatic assault rifles to people. Since people kill people and all.

Another suggestion I keep hearing, which blows my franking mind, is that "we should just give guns to teachers so they can defend themselves." Excellent! Great idea! Let's put 50 teachers around 1,000 kids, and let's give them guns! Nothing will go wrong then. A 6'4", 250 pound emotional 17-year-old, whose girlfriend just gave half the football team a BJ, won't wrestle a handgun from a 55 year old grandmother geometry teacher and shoot some kids. That would NEVER happen...Not only is that idea stupid, but now we're tacking on another role that these poor, underpaid teachers have to fill.

There's a security guard at nearly every bank. There's few schools with cops or guards. That says something horribly sad about our culture. If there had been 19 mass shootings at banks over the past 5 years, there'd be changes already.

Put a franking security guard or cop at every school. Charge me $100 a year as a taxpayer to cover the cost. We have 150 million people in the workforce. We have 76 million kids in school. We have 100,000 public schools. If the average working American pays $100 a year for this tax, then we can spend $150k per year per school on a security force. Two security guards at every school with this money.
- Humanist4Caps

Destroy ALL the guns in the world. Give EVERYONE a sword and a dagger

There are a couple hundred million idiots in the United States.
- Scooby_Doo

meh... 39% of our electorate voted Harper so there's at least 5-10 million idiots right there.

Can we talk hockey? Or Richardey? Or the NFL games today? AP had another stellar game, Giants got thumped. There's gotta be something more positive to talk about than the massacre..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

How about the Leafs?

meh... 39% of our electorate voted Harper so there's at least 5-10 million idiots right there.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Then you have the rest of morons that either didn't vote or voted for someone else

Again, it's easy to sit across the border and arm chair quarterback the problems of the country your next to and talk like you've got it all figured out. Because I'm certain no matter what happens that there are a couple hundred politicians that don't have it figured out. I'll also say again that hyperbole has no place in this discussion.

You certainly make valid points, but don't under exaggerate the complexity of government change and even more so constitutional amending. It's just not as simple as you portray things in your elementary view on what needs to be done. Yes, we can all say tighter gun regulation and banishment of certain firearms and firearm types, just do it. But again, easier said than done.
- MnGump

Does Canada have gun issues? Absolutely, but in comparison to the US and their gun problems, I would say that Canada "has it figured out." People don't walk around with guns. We just don't carry guns on our way to the grocery store. We don't carry them in our vehicles. Hell, I would even go so far as to say that the majority of Canadians have never seen a gun in real life, held one, let alone even fired one! That's how little guns are a part of the Canadian way of life. Guns are not readily accessible in Canada like they are in the US. So yeah, from my perspective, Canada has a better idea of the gun's place in society than Americans do. We just don't need it! It's because of all of the above that Canada doesn't have the same problem that the US does.

I agree, change is tough, especially when it's so engrained into culture. Passing legislation is difficult and it costs money, but IT NEEDS TO START NOW and there are a number of first steps that could be taken within the next few years. There is no reason why fully automatic weapons can't be banned and stop being sold to the average Joe; Tougher licensing requirements and restrictions; Stricter penalties and the regulation of ammunition can start to be implemented. How about a gun return amnesty? How about receiving a tax credit for a turned in firearm?

Destroy ALL the guns in the world. Give EVERYONE a joint and a chia tea
- jugkope

Now that's euphoria!

How about the Leafs?
- Scooby_Doo

I dont know.. but i have Gardiner and JVR on twitter.. (frank) they are little female doges.

Now that's euphoria!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Put breathalyzers on all semi auto weapons. If your marijuana levels are low, the gun will not fire.

Now that's euphoria!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

No that's boring. I strongly disagree with that. Swords and daggers.

Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or, ideological goal; and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).

Missing info to qualify as such.
- Symba007

Thank you. You beat me to it!

Put breathalyzers on all semi auto weapons. If your marijuana levels are low, the gun will not fire.
- Humanist4Caps

Don't like weed?

Put breathalyzers on all semi auto weapons. If your marijuana levels are low, the gun will not fire.
- Humanist4Caps

My question is... Why isn't this considered a terrorist attack?
- Deadmau55

My question first.

Do you consider the Oklahoma City bombing "a terrorist attack?"

How about the Leafs?
- Scooby_Doo

Thoughts on the Jays' impending Richardey trade, Scoob?

My question first.

Do you consider the Oklahoma City bombing "a terrorist attack?"
- As_I_See_It

I was a baby when it happened. But from what I know yes.

I was watching CNN today. They had interviews with parents and other relatives of the victims. Then they simply named all the children and described what each of the children was like.

I couldn't help but cry, it was absolutely heartbreaking.

You also have news anchors like Anderson Cooper, who have been in war zones, with tears in their eyes while reporting the news. This is something that touches everyone.

Put breathalyzers on all semi auto weapons. If your marijuana levels are low, the gun will not fire.
- Humanist4Caps

Breathalyers don't messure or detect weed in your system haha.. but sure.