Two wrongs don't make a right (the (ir)rationality of revenge) - also gun control

How are you RAZD? OOC RAZD, what would be effective gun controls that would have prevented this event from occurring?I frequently see and hear individuals speak of how better controls could have prevented X incident, but rarely do they provide a real plan.So, what improvements would you suggest RAZD? Also, what preventive measures would you implant to prevent criminals from purchasing guns? QFT.Might I also add, "Guns don't cause problems, people cause problems" Seems you have dug to the core of the issue. It isn't that Cho was armed with a gun that caused the problem. Any old tree branch, or shard of glass would have done well for him to kill a few students before he was "taken out".It is clear the gun was merely an extension of his mind's effort in alleviating the stress of what it perceived reality should be, and what it was. Obviously a psychological/psychiatric effort could have done him some good, and saved some people's lives.So how do we solve this social malaise? I am going to bold what I perceive to be the true issue.Guns are a tool, rarely are they treated as such. The glamorization of guns in Hollywood action films certainly hasn't helped.I can't tell you how many parents I have run into that don't keep their guns in a gun safe, or locked tough box, With small children living in their home!.I have called these people idiots, to their faces, as they greatly increase the chance of accidental death to their child through easy access to their guns.Let me relate a story.An individual was relating a story on how unruly his 3 year old son was. I stated that his son was probably like any other 3 year old, and to hang it tough.This is when the kicker came, and it nearly knocked the wind out of me.He then went on to explain how little I knew on how "bad" his son was, and told me a story which involved his son hitting his daughter. He told me he lashed his son's bare buttocks several times with a leather belt, and then promptly told the boy to "Go to his room".His boy left to "walk to his room" and return about a minute later with the father's shotgun, which was loaded!I interrupted the individual right at that point in the story and called him an idiot, right then and there for not having his gun locked up.The father then went on to tell me how didn't have to have his guns locked up because he knew "how to handle them... etc etc" (think of any other macho cliche you can"Clear cut, most people are idiots when it comes to knowing the destructive capacity of guns, and sadly their children have to suffer. Yes, that is a true example of why not everyone should be allowed to possess the power and authority of a firearm.Looking forward to your reply.

Hi onifre!I did indeed make it back well from Afghanistan. OOC, What would you define as an assault weapon?Would a Semi-Automatic AR-15 qualify as an Assault Rifle? I certainly would hope you would think so... and most would agree that it is one.The next question would be where is the defining line that divides an AR-15 from a Bolt Action Hunting Rifle (The two polar examples)?You are correct in that "where there is a will, there is a way". In a prohibition of 30 round magazines, I could easily steal, or sell my 30 round magazines on the black market, with no one the wiser, thus completely circumventing the system.I could also take a semi-automatic weapon system, and through some simple steps involving crude tools, turn it into a Full-Automatic Weapon System. I could even machine my own weapons, that need only work once. Indeed, you do make a good point here.I must apologize though. In my haste I was not thorough in ensuring my post demonstrated what my thoughts were. I have revised my statement to more accurately demonstrate what I was trying to convey:In creating new regulations and laws, you are really only preventing law-abiding citizens from owning those certain firearms.What preventive measures would you implant to prevent criminals from purchasing guns in such a manner that circumvents laws?--------------------------------------------------------To make it quite clear, I fully believe weapons of any kind are not the issue. It is the fact that some people can rationalize killing groups of innocent people for a perceived wrong they have received from "The World" or any other source.Gun-crimes are really no different than any other crime. It's just guns make a big sound, and are much more capable of creating massive damage, regardless the physical capabilities of the person. Combine this with the fact that most people don't really understand guns, and you have something that is easy to sensationalize.

Hi Jon. I can honestly tell you that I am deeply afraid of people with guns that are/have not:
a) Received proper instruction from a trained professional
b) Of sound mind, and reasoningAren't you?Also, what is this deal with gun ownership being a basic right? Is it because the Constitution says we have the right to bear arms? I am sorry, but rights exist only in our minds, and solely at our discretion to enforce them.I would agree that an armed citizenry is a good thing, but to allow just anyone to have a gun is stupidity.

Hi RAZD, I am, now that I am back in the United States for good. I love this statement. I couldn't agree with it more. None taken. This is actually quite correct. It is well known the younger the individual, the easier it is to implement effective pressures, and condition the person how you see fit. I would say the main component to this would be the lack of life experience for the person to turn to in times of pressure. This is a pretty accurate description of the capability of a gun. Sadly guns are not designed for anything but one purpose: Death or Severe injury to human or animal. I can agree with this. We as a society tend to look at psychological abnormalities as being something a person can "snap out of" or "tough out". In many cases this is inaccurate, in that what is wrong is usually on a physiological level (hormone imbalance, under/over-development of some sections of the brain). It is almost as if we as a society are dualist. Of course not. Providing more gun availability as a solution to crime as a problem is no different than providing a carpenter with more hammers so he can catch up with his deadline.The solution isn't in the tools. As have I. I have never carried a gun, and have never been in a confrontation that one was needed to reach a solution. (I have had several occasions where a gun was pointed at me.)To me, guns today are really only justified in war, law enforcement, or hunting. You know, I was sitting around with some of my war buddies 2 days ago, and for some reason I said aloud without thinking first: "I hope I never have to see another gun again". I was expecting to be immediately stigmatized, but the funny thing was, they all pretty much agreed with me (1 or 2 said they still would enjoy marksmanship and/or hunting).The fact of the matter is when you have seen firsthand the devastation guns cause, you kind of lose the schoolyard romance for them.

Hi onifre, Sorry, but this isn't true. There are many home made gun schematics all through out the web, many of which are for the obvious use within the United States.I found this online news article discussing how we should build our own guns.
Worried about gun control? Make your own gun - Civil Liberties ExaminerOr this individual who discusses how weapons of small size, and massive firepower can be created in a home workshop.
Armies of Chaos by L. Neil SmithI find it strange though that individuals tout these scenarios as reasons guns shouldn't be controlled, because they can't be controlled.I mean, do these people honestly think that their having a handgun will be any defense against these weapons built for the intent of assassination? I don't know about you, but if someone wants me dead, and has the weapon described in the latter article... I'm as good as dead even if I had a Mk-19... We agree on the prohibition of weapons being far from capable of delivering what it's name promises.I really don't think creating greater regulation on manufacturer's will do the trick either, seeing as home production is a capability of anyone with minimal mechanical knowledge.The real solution is to make people realize that guns=death stick. With that, the real trick is to find solutions to what causes people who already acknowledge this relationship between guns and severe injury or death, but decide that it is okay to use it for that purpose in a manner that is detrimental to society.It may just be me, but I have noticed that in almost all cases involving aggravated gun violence (or any type of aggravated violence), the individual(s) involved are mentally ill, in one way or another.

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How hard they must find it, those who take authority as truth, rather than truth as the authority.
-unknown

Hi Catholic Scientist, That wasn't exactly what I stated. I had stated, clearly from your own quote:
"Death or Severe injury to human or animal.Notwithstanding, let's carry on. By that design, they are capable of causing death and serious injury. Guns are designed to propel an object at high velocity toward another object. This design causes death, and severe injury to human and animal. Well that's not exactly the type of gun we are discussing, now is it? In fact, I wouldn't even qualify those as guns, more decorations, or art. Frankly, if it doesn't shoot, it isn't a gun.-------------------------
By the way, this is an example of equivocation. I mean, if you say you are going to the bank to make a deposit, a response from me stating "Oh so you are going to the river?" isn't exactly going to be appropriate, despite it being a definition of the word, is it?

Hi xongsmith,I don't believe I have responded to you before, so nice to meet you! I'm not sure the "name of the world view" specifically, but I do know the defense dates as far back as Ancient Greece.

I understand your point now. Thanks for being patient with me on this one

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How hard they must find it, those who take authority as truth, rather than truth as the authority.
-unknownIt's not what you know, it's if you know how to find it.
-Me