Four counts of manslaughter because four people died, but why the two counts of second degree murder? Are they only counting the adults who were killed, or only counting the kids who were killed for that?
The father let the kid own and keep an AR-15? Do we need any more evidence that not everybody is up to the responsibility of owning a weapon of war?
The idea that anybody and everybody are responsible enough to own a gun, much less an AR-15, is just moronic. Do we need any more evidence?
so you believe anything one politician says? It must be true cause he’s a democrat criticizing his own party? Sorry, but it’s taken out of context, he was saying yeah, I wish we had, but the reality was that it wasn’t really possible. And you’re conveniently leaving out the huge fact that gun legislation is an extremely hot button issue and you would need a large majority and a strong leader in order to pass it. Here, I hope this helps, straight from the article you posted: Democrats had 60 votes for health care — barely — but that doesn’t mean they had 60 votes for gun control, said Jim Kessler, a vice president with the center-left think tank Third Way and a former Democratic congressional staffer involved in major gun legislation. When the Democratic Party was successful enough to have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, it’s because they had senators from Alaska, West Virginia, South Dakota and Arkansas — some of the most gun-friendly states in the nation. At the same time, Kessler says, the National Rifle Association had doubled down its pressure on Republicans not to support gun-control legislation. That meant Democrats had to act themselves, and they didn’t have the votes. In short, gun-control legislation is still really, really hard to pass even if one party controls Washington.
Trust but verify. Bi-weekly psych tests and ACA taxpayer paid mental health services. Oh wait, who is gonna pay for mental health!
Most parents have no idea what their kids are doing nor do they care. The right to have offspring is an inalienable right. Someone else’s right for life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness can be infringed at any moment. When the punishment for the crime is not relevant (electric chair), the state has failed to protect that right. We must hold government responsible to level a punishment that extends to such deep severity of economic consequences to the extended family that they will fear not turning in these miscreants.
Maybe we are misunderstanding each other. I can envision what that might look like once guns are removed from the equation, but wouldn't you agree that the concept of removing said guns is significantly different in our environment vs. the environment of the nations you mention? One of the most obvious concepts to me is that it shouldn't be taken as a given that every individual in this country automatically has the right to own a gun; there is a level of aptitude/responsibility that would/should supply *some* level of discretion. I suspect that most people that take this for granted were raised by people who naturally instilled this responsibility in them. What about the folks who do not? It may be a legally protected right, but if we cannot handle our "rights" they will inevitably be taken away by folks who do not agree they are as universal as we may have originally preferred for them to be. I think a big part of what is missing is accountability; you start pressing the parents for their role in what has happened, and you may see a change. Who knows. But certainly I agree with the idea that the status quo is only inviting more problems. Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
Just a sad, sad story. A broken home life with inadequate parenting, a child in crisis who apparently asked for, but did not receive suitable help results in tragedy for the community. We absolutely SHOULD address individual factors like access to guns and mental health, but we must recognize there are too few resources for families in crisis. This is not a Dem vs Repub issue.
I totally agree with this but surprised you have said it. So given your thoughts, how would you practically apply this? How do we keep guns out of the hands of people who will not use them responsibly?
No doubt more resources are needed for mental health care everywhere. Cutting that does not help anyone.
I’d start with the premise that everyone is entitled to own and use guns. From there I would institute a series of safeguards. 1. Require 100% background checks for gun ownership. Commit a violent felony or DV and no gun for you for 10 years. 2. Require gun safety/ownership courses prior to ownership and every five years thereafter. 3. Require gun liability insurance to a minimum of $5MM. 4. Require every gun and gun sale to be tracked, buyer and seller. 5. Impose strict liability for gun injuries, including if someone else uses your gun. This can be defended by showing that you had the weapon properly secured in gun safe or trigger lock. 6. Red flag laws to require heightened psychological testing if a gun owner or prospective owner meets certain criteria. Maybe then people would take it more seriously who they’re selling, gifting, and letting use their weapons.
I would love to know details of the local authorities questioning of the father and son. How in depth was the questioning? Did they inspect the gun storage or take his word for it? Were there FREE counseling options suggested - hell with that, required after a possible threat was made? How informed was the school about this potential threat? Does Georgia have Red Flag laws? I just don't understand how this could have been missed when it is so absolutely important to identify threats and STOP them.
