Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:37 pm
From 5000 miles away, I see this gun debate ending in a trench warfare, both parties refusing to give in.
On one side I see "give everyone a gun, so they can kill a crazy man which wants to kill our kids". On the other side I see "ban all guns, so no one can be shot".
I find it sad that the underlying problem, people in such grave emotional distress they are acting dangerously to themselves or others, is barely addressed. Listening to a local MI radio show I frequently hear a Judge, almost begging for resources to help them.
Seeing the popular (now taken off the air) shows "American Guns" and "Sons Of Guns", I really fall of my chair. I can imagine a few thousand Americans which need a gun because they live in an area with bears, deers, or so. When I was in several American cities, I did not see bears roaming the streets. Anyway, I really do not see practical use for a weapon that unloads a clip of bullets in mere seconds.
I can imagine in 1776 is was almost mandatory to own a gun, too shoot a buffalo for breakfast, kill a puma or so. I can imagine a front loaded gun was enough to kill such an animal (or an invading British person). It makes sense that during that era the lawmakers wanted people to have the right for such a weapon.
I live in a country with very strict gun laws, I feel pleased about it. Sure, every now and than some mob gang kills another mob gang member, like 10 a year or so, but at least I can walk on the streets at night without fear someone will rob me with a gun.
What I really fear is the budget cuts on the mental healthcare system in NL.
On one side I see "give everyone a gun, so they can kill a crazy man which wants to kill our kids". On the other side I see "ban all guns, so no one can be shot".
I find it sad that the underlying problem, people in such grave emotional distress they are acting dangerously to themselves or others, is barely addressed. Listening to a local MI radio show I frequently hear a Judge, almost begging for resources to help them.
Seeing the popular (now taken off the air) shows "American Guns" and "Sons Of Guns", I really fall of my chair. I can imagine a few thousand Americans which need a gun because they live in an area with bears, deers, or so. When I was in several American cities, I did not see bears roaming the streets. Anyway, I really do not see practical use for a weapon that unloads a clip of bullets in mere seconds.
I can imagine in 1776 is was almost mandatory to own a gun, too shoot a buffalo for breakfast, kill a puma or so. I can imagine a front loaded gun was enough to kill such an animal (or an invading British person). It makes sense that during that era the lawmakers wanted people to have the right for such a weapon.
I live in a country with very strict gun laws, I feel pleased about it. Sure, every now and than some mob gang kills another mob gang member, like 10 a year or so, but at least I can walk on the streets at night without fear someone will rob me with a gun.
What I really fear is the budget cuts on the mental healthcare system in NL.