Some relevant links

[mahnmut]

Not exactly sure when the "appropriate" time to talk about this will be, but here it is.

A Guide to Mass Shootings in America
There have been at least 62 in the last 30 years—and most of the killers got their guns legally.

Sixteen US Mass Shootings Happened in 2012, Leaving at Least 88 Dead
Here is a list of every fatal mass shooting that’s taken place since January 1—defined as multi-victim shootings where those killed were chosen indiscriminately.

Mass shootings and gun control
Multiple shootings are extremely rare in the UK and most incidents involving two or more deaths have been related to organised crime, such as feuds between drug dealers or gangs.

The sickening circularity of America's gun control debate
The grim regularity of US shooting tragedies like Monday's at Texas A&M seems only to entrench the self-defence rationale

Comments

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Apparently, no time is quite the appropriate time. There must be some sort of invisible "tolerance period" after such an incident, within which the core issue is not supposed to be discussed, or something like that. Which makes the issue almost indiscussable, since these incidents keep happening pretty frequently.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

In Virginia, if you want to buy alcohol from the liquor store, you have to present ID confirming that you're over 21. For buying guns though, you don't need to prove anything. 'Nuff said.

[alphistia.livejournal.com]

thank you for these links

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Drugs don't kill people. People kill themselves. With drugs.

LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

What you said.

Apropos, I am a strong supporter of the second amendment. It's just that I follow the minority view of that the "right to bear arms" exists within "a well-regulated militia". Indeed, I am prepared to go a step further and say that standing armies should be abolished in favour of such a militia - the most obvious reason being that militia's are very good for defense, but don't tend to go around invading other countries.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, their allegiance could be questionable at best.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Well, I suspect that was the intention.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Let me get this straight. You're prepared to say that standing armies should be abolished in favor of militia whose allegiance is questionable?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yes, standing armies, as a arm of the state, should be replaced by a citizen's militia whose allegiance is not to some artificial governance but to what Jefferson described as "natural republics".

That is why the reference is to a well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state.

People shouldn't be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people & etc.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

And who regulates the militia? What happens if it refuses to be regulated?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

The militia is regulated by itself for purely internal management and through confederate agreements for external affairs (up to, and including, constitutional governance). Keeping in mind of course, that a militia is inclusive of all citizens.

If it breaches such agreements, the problem is minimised - as a "natural republic" militia it is hopelessly ill-suited for engaging in invasive wars, even to the next neighbourhood. They are however, excellent at defence.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

With all due respect, this sounds too utopian. Even for me. :-)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I have done a modicum of research on the subject and there are some existing examples that head in that sort of direction. For example, Costa Rica has no standing army, nor does (technically) Japan. Of course, the role of the militia in Switzerland during WWII is well recognised as a major reason why the Nazis couldn't invade.

The notion of a well-regulated and inclusive militia is a practical orientation that seeks to provide the necessary defensive aspects that we assign to a military civics but without the aggressive (internal or external) Statist orientations of standing armies or police. Doubtless, I do need to do further research on the subject.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Costa Rica should be put in the context of being America's backyard. Same with Iceland btw (which doesn't even have any army). Switzerland doesn't need an army either, for a complex set of reasons I'm sure you're aware of.

It's easily convenient to explore such examples when taken out of the broader context of the geopolitical environment in which they exist, but that doesn't make it the most constructive approach.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Every other country in the region of Costa Rica has armed forces (and has suffered military coups as a result - oddly Costa Rica's abolition of the military was decided by a military junta). Switzerland, as you know, still does have an army.

So the examples aren't convenient; they are real world indications of a credible orientation.

Arguably in the 21st century we should be thinking about how all armed forces are abolished except international peacekeepers.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Good luck with that. I'd rather keep both my feet stepped on the ground, at least for the time being. ;-)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds, then you'll be a giant among men....

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Ha! Well said. :-D

[il-mio-gufo.livejournal.com]

yup, a very good collage....and still my mind/opinion(s) cannot be swayed one way or the other.

i'm just so friggin pissed that children were targeted! and your summary here proves its clear that America needs prayer .... and an exercism! there is a definite baaaaaaaaad spirit over the land right now! i mean....if you believe in that stuff....if not, then call it what you will. but we got an illness and we need a remedy already!

Re:

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

and still my mind/opinion(s) cannot be swayed one way or the other

That's the saddest thing I keep hearing all around me.

I'm afraid prayer won't stop the killings. Let's get real, shall we? Tackling the core of the problem is impossible as long as people are keeping their heads buried in the sand, and relying on prayer, and a solution from outside.

[il-mio-gufo.livejournal.com]

so....the core of the problem is that all schools currently do not mandate security clearance in order to enter onto a campus? They don't mandate it even though they should.

the core of the problem is that mental illness is not well addressed in The States?

the core of the problem is that schools are without armed protection for situations such as these?

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

The problem goes much deeper than school security. The problem is that virtually anyone could get a gun, even your regular deranged village idiot, or the drunkard next door, or your teenage grandson. No strings attached, no vetting process. Hell, it's harder to buy alcohol than guns.