How Do Gun Laws Influence College Shootings?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the influence of gun laws on college shootings, exploring the relationship between gun accessibility, mental health, and societal safety. Participants engage in a debate about the implications of gun ownership and the potential for violence, particularly in educational settings.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that making guns accessible increases the likelihood of violent incidents, particularly involving individuals with mental health issues.
  • Others suggest that without guns, individuals with violent tendencies would find alternative methods to commit acts of violence.
  • A viewpoint is presented that the intent of the individual, rather than the availability of guns, is the primary factor in determining safety.
  • Participants discuss the effectiveness of various means of violence, noting that determined individuals can use methods other than guns to inflict harm.
  • Some express skepticism about the feasibility of eliminating guns from society, given their prevalence and the potential for illegal acquisition.
  • There is a mention of cultural differences in gun ownership between the US and Canada, with implications for societal safety and personal rights.
  • One participant raises a hypothetical question about whether the world would be safer if most people had guns versus just a few determined individuals.
  • Several participants reference historical and contemporary examples of violence, suggesting that the presence of guns is not the sole factor in violent incidents.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the relationship between gun ownership and safety, with no consensus reached. Some agree that guns can be dangerous in the wrong hands, while others emphasize that violent intent is the core issue. The discussion remains unresolved with competing perspectives on the implications of gun laws.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the issue, including the influence of mental health, societal norms, and the effectiveness of various forms of violence. There are references to cultural attitudes toward guns that may affect the discussion.

  • #121
[rant]
There are plenty of arguments for the legalization consumption (not selling) of controlled substances.

Not the least of which is the fact that it's MY body. Where does the government get off telling me what I can and cannot put in my body? What, we should ban some substances just because they are bad for our health? Fine, whatever, but that's going to put McD, Wendy's et al out of business.

How about the fact that it makes criminals out of otherwise law abiding citizens? How about the fact that in the US, you can get financial aid if you rape 50 women and dump their body's in dumpsters, but if you get busted for 1 joint they cut you off.
[end rant]

Anttech, you said that perhaps since those in the UK are unable to get illegal fireams, that they turn to illegal substances. This argument doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Nobody sits around and says: "hmmm... I've got about 400 euros here... I could buy a pistol to go blast some fools... or I could just get wasted". Sorry, they're just not substitute products.
People do drugs because they like to get high, whereas they own guns for a multitude of reasons. Those that obtain them illegally usually have nefarious purposes in mind; seldom is it home protection.
 
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  • #122
Anttech, you said that perhaps since those in the UK are unable to get illegal fireams, that they turn to illegal substances. This argument doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Ohh sorry I was being sarcastic... Ill edit my post
 
  • #123
People do drugs because they like to get high,
People also do drugs because they need to (heroin addition--> you can die if you don't have your fix), and they also do them to escape from reality, especially in poorer areas.
 
  • #124
Sorry that your sarcasm was lost on me.

Not that it has any bearing on the discussion at hand, but I feel compelled... I view the war on drugs as one of the last great injustices in our society.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/heroin.html

Actually, withdrawal from heroin is less dangerous than from alcohol.
 
  • #125
Anttech said:
People also do drugs because they need to (heroin addition--> you can die if you don't have your fix), and they also do them to escape from reality, especially in poorer areas.
heroin addition isn't that bad, it's the multiplication and division that threw me for a loop
 
  • #126
ptabor said:
[rant]
Not the least of which is the fact that it's MY body

Much like gun laws, the drug laws are in place due to a perceived risk to the public. Nobody really cares if you OD on cocaine and die, but they do care when "cocaine-crazed negroes" start to think they're as good as white folk (that was an actual argument to the US senate). On the side of guns, people want guns illegal because there is a perceived risk that guns cause crime.
 
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  • #127
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2908621023073531157&q=the+drugs+were+legal

here is a nice fictitious program by the bbc, which looks at what would happen if drugs became legal. It has interviews with real experts. Good analysis
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #128
Another, in Pennsylvania: http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/School_Violence


This time, the gunman sent the males and adult females out and then opened fire on the remaining dozen girls, shooting 4 execution style.

Another female was killed in the recent Canadian shooting.

14 females killed in Ecole Polytechnique shooting in 1989
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/École_Polytechnique_massacre

Is this violence directed specifically at women? The Polytechnique shooting certainly was - http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2000/12/06/massacre001206

He began shooting. Fourteen young women were killed. Thirteen other people were injured.

Then he killed himself, and left behind a note that said feminists had ruined his life.

The shooting horrified the nation and has come to symbolize violence against women.

Possibly the recent Colorado shooting, too
http://www.examiner.com/a-315481~Student_Details_Colo__School_Shooting.html

Cassidy Grigg, 16, said the man walked in, fired a warning shot at the floor and ordered the students to line up. He told some to leave and others - all girls - to stay.

"You could tell that he wanted the females," Cassidy said on NBC's "Today" Thursday. "He tapped me on the shoulder and he told me to leave the room. I told him, 'I don't want to leave.'"

Are there a lot of gunmen in school shootings that specifically target females?
 
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  • #129
0TheSwerve0 said:
Are there a lot of gunmen in school shootings that specifically target females?
"You won't have sex with me? Women must die!"

It's probably not too far from the truth. Guys having lots of sex probably won't go all crazy and start killing people.
 
  • #130
When the Amish have school shootings, the world is going to end...oh dear.

I won't say anything about an Amish drive by, because that would be wrong...
 

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