Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech
As all of you know a horrible act was committed at Virginia Tech. 33 people were killed by a north Korean man students. This is the worse school shooting in American History. I feel that there are many things that are going to come from this shooting. Much like past shootings, there will be a political push that will take place. Most likely it will be a push to control the sale of firearms. In many southern states the rule is that there is a background check that last several days. I can see in the near future political leaders making a push towards stricter gun control laws. It is my beliefs that being a gun owner is a persons personal right. But it is not their right to use that gun in a manor which causes death or harm to any person. These are basic laws of our country. There are people in this country that have several mental problems which makes them exempt from own a weapon. This is the for safety of the populous. It is not yet apparent how the man got the two weapons he used but I'm am positive there will be a full investigation. A large majority of our population owns a gun. There are those few cases where those weapons are abused but that does not mean all guns are used to kill.
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4 comments:
The shooter actually legally obtained both guns. He bought the first a month before the shooting and had all required documentation. He then waited a month, under Virginia's laws, and purchased the second gun legally on March 13th. I think it says a lot about weak gun control in America and I'm sure it will fuel some heated discussions about it.
I agree that not all guns are used to kill. As well i know that if i bring up the argument that why cant we be more like Europe where most of their police forces don't carry guns on a day to day basis like ours do here in the United States. Their police forces only use fire weapons when they need to. However, I am sure someone will bring up that the general as well as the American political culture is very different than that of Europe's. I personally have many friends and relatives that use guns in everything from hunting, to protection, to reenacting. However, the constitution says that it is our right to form a militia and rise up against the government if we feel as though they are not doing a good job. The "right to bear arms" is an implicit right. No where in the constitution does it say hey you can have a gun. However, once again I am one to agree with the grey areas of the constitution. I know that we can not predict who will go crazy with a gun whether or not they have it legally or illegally. But, I am still one to believe that when it comes to certain guns we need to have a stronger and longer waiting period. As well as a more in depth background check. There are just some guns that well you really cant use that to hunt? What else will you use it for? Simple questions like that. However, it all reverberates back to one simple thing that makes our country run so smoothly. The almighty dollar. I think the tragedy at Virginia Tech was truly an event in our countries history that will not go unmatched. The school could have clearly communicated better with its staff and students. This event shows that there will be a political backlash. It has already started with the lowering of flags until Sunday. Granted i think this is a solemn event. But this will come back to the NRA v. Gun control activists. I think it will start the sentiment of republicans v. democrats. As well as liberal republicans v. moderate democrats. This will truly show how the parties currently stand on this hot button issue. This will also affect the current election. As well as where the candidates stand on this issue varying from candidate to candidate and varying from one side of the aisle to the other.
Do you have any links to prove a majority of Americans own guns? A very thought provoking diary appeared over at Daily Kos--Whom Do You Shoot? which can be found at: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/17/74039/3522]
I will actually be applying for my pistol permit in the next couple of weeks. I am currently applying for police officer positions back home in Connecticut and feel that by already being certified to carry a weapon, it will put me ahead of the game. It makes me nervous to think of how easy the porcess currently is. From what I am told you just fill out a bunch of paper work, answer a few questions, send it off in the mail and then wait for a reply.
I'm sorry but I feel as though if a person is going to be legally allowed to carry a weapon on him/herself, they should at least have had to pass a shooting test of some sort. Just because someone may not have a criminal record, and has answered favorably to a list of questoins, does not ensure that they are going to be a responsible gun owner. Incidents such as the tragedy at Virginia Tech is expected to open up some eyes, and new laws and regulations better be implemented or there will be more major problems in the future.
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