Gun Control Debate: Why Do We Make Gun Violence So Easy?

[Zummie]

Gun Control Debate: Why Do We Make Gun Violence So Easy?
by Colin Goddard

The only thing worse than slowly watching a shooting unfold on television is being a part of one.

Nearly four years after surviving the worst school shooting in America -- the Virginia Tech massacre of April 16, 2007 -- and trying to live a "normal" life, I sat there Saturday, stunned, angry and saddened as the nauseating details of another mass murder unfolded before my eyes.

I sat there as the uncontrollable feelings that come from the shock and trauma of a normal day morphing into madness raced through my being. Jagged, painful, frightening fragments of the craziest day of my life started attacking my mind as I watched someone else's nightmare become real.

I sat there, understanding that those who were shot and still conscious were undoubtedly grappling with the absolute fear and uncertainty of their chances to live or die.

I sat there, understanding that those who remained conscious were likely rocked by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness as they lay motionless while medics, doctors and nurses worked to stop bleeding, animate breathing and repair their shattered veins, muscles and bones.

As the hours passed, and the reality of the horror set in, and the fight to keep living gained steam, I sat there, remembering the simultaneous feelings of joy and sadness that would wash over the victims as their heart-stricken family members filled their hospital rooms and held vigils by their bedsides.

I sat there, knowing before they could know that their lives would never be the same. Experiencing the rampage of a sick and needy man, armed with the ability to project massive damage with minimal effort, would change them, would change anyone.

As I continue to try to make more meaning out of my life, watching other families endure the same series of events that mine did is quietly devastating and supremely upsetting.

America, I ask you, why has so little changed?

When the 2009 mass shooting in Binghamton, N.Y., happened, I again was a television witness, sitting there, being jerked around by a rollercoaster of emotions.

But I couldn't sit for long. People have told me in recent months, as I've begun working with the Brady Campaign to advocate for sensible gun laws, that crazy people are going to do crazy things. They've told me there's nothing I can do about it. I didn't believe them the first time, and I don't believe them now.

After Binghamton, I started learning what our laws are (or, more importantly, are not) when it comes to firearms.

Arizona, as we now know, has almost no gun laws. No laws to protect children from adults who leave guns unlocked. No laws to require a license with a purchase. No laws to require mandatory reporting of stolen guns. No laws requiring fingerprinting, or the micro-stamping of guns. No laws limiting how many guns can be purchased every month. No laws requiring background checks for purchasing ammunition. No laws requiring that law enforcement have a say in who can carry concealed weapons, as Jared Loughner is accused of doing. No assault weapons restrictions, and no restrictions, as we sadly saw, on how many rounds can be in high-capacity magazines -- magazines that declare and wage war on innocents.

Sponsored Links
I have learned that just about anybody can buy a gun from a private seller at a gun show without a Brady criminal background check. I've been to gun shows and bought guns. I even bought the same kind of gun that the Virginia Tech shooter used to shoot me and 48 other people that dark April morning.

What I learned at gun shows, and as a survivor of the madness that is gun violence, is part of a new documentary called "Living for 32" -- in memory of the 32 people killed every day from gun violence in our country, and the 32 killed at Virginia Tech.

Maybe crazy people will do crazy things. But why, I ask my country, my president, my representatives in Congress, why do we make it so damned easy?

Colin Goddard is a mass shooting survivor and assistant director of federal legislation with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/11/gu...ec3_lnk1|35963

[Artson D]

Every state has differant laws and regulations! Get to know them. I know in Connecticut its not that easy to get a consealed permit to carry. Our goverment and the things they do, and the problems they make for us is pushing people to the breaking point!!! I believe this is just the begining of a long and painfull problem that we have in the us. Also read the second amendment and why protection was urged upon U.S citizens. I feel very sad for alot of thoes people as I grew up just out side of Binghamton N.Y. and having it hit so close to home, but the same thing could be done with out the use of a gun. Protection is vital for our future. Think about it!

[scattered_grass]

The fact of the matter is, if some wingnut wants to do something of this nature, they are going to do it. There are no laws that can prevent someone from being crazy.

[wauwinet]

The fact of the matter is, if some wingnut wants to do something of this nature, they are going to do it. There are no laws that can prevent someone from being crazy.

But a few easy laws might keep wingnuts from buying guns. I'm not in favor of banning guns, but a little more control seems reasonable to keep everyone safe. I'd like to see it a bit more difficult to get a gun than a driver's license.

[Avenger]

It is. Everybody who purchases a firearm from a dealer has to go through a federal background check. We can debate the effectiveness of the database, but nobody can legally purchase a firearm from a dealer with "just" a driver's license.

As stated earlier, laws will never stop the random actions of a kook. He could have just as easily driven a car into that crowd with the same end result.

Occasional events like this are the price of living in a free society. I'll take my chances with that rather than a police state desired by the leftist do-gooders who think it will save everybody. It will not.

[scattered_grass]

But a few easy laws might keep wingnuts from buying guns. I'm not in favor of banning guns, but a little more control seems reasonable to keep everyone safe. I'd like to see it a bit more difficult to get a gun than a driver's license.

I agree. You should have to pass a background check before you can buy a firearm. I'd be willing to bet that most of the people that commit these acts of violence would, or did in fact, pass a background check with no priors. But realistically, what else can you do besides that? Make them sign a promissory note stating that they will not shoot anybody?

[scattered_grass]

Officers Stopped Suspect On Day Of Arizona Shooting

The suspect in a deadly Arizona shooting ran a red light and was stopped by a wildlife officer less than three hours before the attack that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department says an officer stopped Jared Loughner at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

The officer took Loughner's driver's license and vehicle registration information. Dispatchers checked the information and found no outstanding warrants on Loughner or his vehicle. He was given a verbal warning and released.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/O...ySection=story

[gottaflylee]

If you take the guns from "We The People" then you will have to find a way to stop the crooks from selling them on the streets. If someone wants to do harm to others, gun or not, they would find a way, think what a home made bomb could have done in that crowd...

[ElMar2530]

Washington DC has basically a no gun law in the district, they also have one of the highest crime rates in the country, explain that to me.

Check out Kennesaw Georgia for the opposite end of the spectrum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennesaw,_Georgia

Part of the law passed in '82:
(a) In order to provide for the emergency management of the city, and further in order to provide for and protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, every head of household residing in the city limits is required to maintain a firearm, together with ammunition therefore.

They have one of the lowest crime rates in the country, food for thought.

[Zummie]

Arizona, as we now know, has almost no gun laws. No laws to protect children from adults who leave guns unlocked. No laws to require a license with a purchase. No laws to require mandatory reporting of stolen guns. No laws requiring fingerprinting, or the micro-stamping of guns. No laws limiting how many guns can be purchased every month. No laws requiring background checks for purchasing ammunition. No laws requiring that law enforcement have a say in who can carry concealed weapons, as Jared Loughner is accused of doing. No assault weapons restrictions, and no restrictions, as we sadly saw, on how many rounds can be in high-capacity magazines -- magazines that declare and wage war on innocents.



http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/11/gu...ec3_lnk1|35963

Seems like some regulations would be a good idea. If the Assault Weapons bans entered under Clinton was still in effect he could not have so easily purchased the 33 round Magazine and maybe so many would not have been killed and wounded.