No one seems to be talking about the violent video games or other electronic violence that is going on in many people’s heads especially the young. Add vampire, zombie, werewolf, cartoons on Saturday morning and just your normal run of the mill violence in movies and on TV - our world is permeated with violence and killing. I am not arguing against gun control, but I think we are missing a huge underlying problem.
You think the gun industry is huge and employs many, consider the above industries.
No one is talking about the export of weapons globally by the USofA. Major money, major employment, major campaign money.
The NRA might be a welcome target for some.
John Weber
Longville
Comments (18)
Add commentFYI John - They Sell Video Games In Europe
Did you know that the game Grand Theft Auto was designed in Britain? Did you also know that the Japanese also have video games?
So, you can blame video games, or whatever else you want, but our gun culture is to blame. We Americans account for 5% of the world's population, but we account for 50% of the world's guns.
The NRA embarrassed themselves yesterday at their supposed Press Conference when they did not take any questions from the Press and suggested the solution is more guns!
The NRA is part of the problem and they have shown again that they are not going to be part of the solution.
Bond
We are not NRA members and I do have some kind of a rifle
that I won once so, I'm not up gun stuff. I did go hunting with my dad and one of my brothers does hunt. My in-laws
hunt, so am familiar with hunting and fishing ..
My question is: How is the NRA part of the problem?
I'm also curious how you think that a mentally ill young person
is not influenced by the mindless violent video games and
movies that they play constantly? I don't think that we know the answer to that. Common sense tells me that would be
one thing we could research. They issue research grants for
far more unworthy ideas.
Our country is not other countries, we have our own set of challenges. There are questions and many answers.
Obviously, what has been done isn't working
Why
Why are the parent's letting their kids sit hours upon hours playing video games of ANY kind. Give them a couple hours, then tell them enough, shut it off and that's it. Easier said than done, you say? Wrong! Who's the parent. My kids had Nintendo, Mario Brothers, Duck Hunt. They played but not all day. Outside, chores. Rain or shine, snow or sun. They were doing something other than looking at the idiot box.
Same goes for computers.
LMAO bond
It's our gun culture to blame?? How about it's people like you to blame!! Darnit now because of you I am going to get that 100 round drum magazine for my gun!!
Nan -- totally agree with you
Nan -- totally agree with you on the playing video games.
I'd like it if every kid grew up at least being able to entertain themselves without computer, TV, games. Can you tell
that I advocate for reading actual books. I suppose now I would have to add an e-reader.
Most kids get easily bored if they are not doing something.
Many of their parents are the same way .... hmmmmmmm
Jane Bondo,
In Europe I bet more women with multiple children got them with the same daddy and he's probably still there.
Compare apples to apples not just one factoid. Over here the DFL is still promoting food stamps, bare feet, diapers, multiple TVs, video games and free phones to stay in power.
James Bond
Chances are good that Mr NRA with no solutions except buying more guns and arming more people won't be invited to sit on the task force being formed.
Doesn't it seem ironic that they want to arm government workers, policemen and teachers, in spite of their interpretation of the second amendment?
I'm Shocked??
Nobody has blasted me for saying I am going to get a 100 rounder?? Only 3 thumb's down?? No I am not really going to buy one. To heavy & expensive. $250.00.
Now if ya went back 45 yrs I wish I had at least 3 of them on me at all times.
Ping pong
When I read what the others had to say here, I said to myself, it's time to way in on this.
It is just craziest to say that guns and bullets are doing the killing here. What gun fires it's self?
Like the feller down in Texas said, it is ping pong that kills more children than guns! And flat screen tv. The lack of school prayer has to be considered. And as one of the readers said above, women having children with only one donor.
And these "gun free zones" are so dangerous. I won't go into a business or church or restaurant with one of them signs. Gun control won't solve nothing. If you take away every gun in the USA and there would still be carnage from rocks or arrows or poison darts. It's not the gun. Guns don't kill people or hurt people.
The safest is when everyone is carrying. It is an american obligation. Armed guards may help some but we need to teach are kids to shoot and have them carry.
SMTN
Aitkin
"everyone"? Including the
"everyone"?
Including the young man who just shot 20 little kids and those adults?
Mr NRA has agreed to pay for armed police and security
at every school in America.
Wouldn't that be nice if it were actually true?
SMTN = Someone More Than Nuts
"Safest is when everyone is carrying." You said what to me? Blam...blam...blam. He cut me off..... blam...blam.
Oh, what is "....way in ..."? Do you also say " We waisted our time."?
Are you really falling for this?
I can't believe some of you are actually falling for SMTN's lame postings. IT'S NOT REAL FOLKS
James Bond you are really naive.
Is Conceal and Carry an answer?
I've pondered that. I'm sure a sick cowardly shooter such as the ones in the theater in Colorado, the school in Connecticut, or the ex who is afraid to live without her... any of these people might hesitate to go to a school, a public setting, or a workplace if they thought their plot could be thwarted by any available citizen.
But watch this video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZryfuNgdSHY
Even being trained doesn't mean you will be able to stop a shooter. The examples suggest that having a weapon on you can make you a target just as easily as it would make you a hero.
And where does it end? Ban assault rifles and only criminals will have assault rifles? Ban chemical weapons and only criminals will have chemical weapons? We can all draw a line for absurdity within that philosophy.
I agree that sick cowardly people shoot innocent.
But this country is largely in the dark ages about mental illness. It is too often seen and reacted too as if it is a moral defect, an inexcusable weakness, a crutch, or means of manipulating 'special treatment'.
Yes, when sick people cross the line and hurt someone, they should be dealt with in no uncertain terms. But we have to deal with the sick irrational individual.
How do you think irrational people are affected by 'deterrents' that call for them to think rationally before they act?
If you break a leg, you wear a cast and maybe walk on crutches. Soon, you walk without the crutch, then the cast comes off, and after limping awhile, you may never be exactly as you were before the broken leg but you are not likely to be judge as a moral defect... even if you have a limp.
Many mental health issues could "heal" if we'd just let them out of the closet. Then the really sick and dangerous ones would not be as easily hidden in the haze of public ignorance.
Conclusion:
You don't need chemical weapons you 'protect yourself' and you don't need a 30 round banana clip to hunt deer. Paranoia over having your guns taken away has resulted in great economic success for gun dealers and the NRA. Paranoia is based in ignorance rather than common sense.
Bullying and "play nice" programs aren't going to protect anyone from the maniac who goes over the deep end. You can't feather-bed every school or public place. Some practical security measures need to be in place.
Mental health is not an excuse. Managing and maintaining our own mental health is the responsibility of every individual. Denying a problem exists is irresponsibility. Understanding the management of mental health issues will help society sort the dangerous from those who are simply struggling in life.
We need a balance of security and personal responsibility. Overcoming ignorance is just as much of a responsibility as is managing ones own "issues".
Please think about all sides of this question. Neither blindly adding more weapons nor blindly taking them away is going to be the answer. I think we can take those two extremes out of the equation and start talking like adults.
Lelandism
Who uses a 30 round clip to go deer hunting? Deer hunting isnt the reason people buy a 30 round clip and people who say who needs them for deer hunting are ignorant.
Whoooosh!
You seem to have missed the point rubbyk thus implicating whose thought process is limited.