Another School Shooting

**kabin63** · 04-16-2007, 09:09 PM

I am so sorry for the families that have lost loved ones today at VATech, and those that have been hurt. When will it ever end?

**Nada.Leona** · 04-16-2007, 09:18 PM

It's scary as hell to think about it, isn't it? I remember the Columbine shooting well -- I was in high school at the time, and was sick at home that day. I watched the whole thing on TV and I remember crying when I heard about the born-again girl who died because she admitted she believed in God. At my school, the jackasses came in the next day wearing long black trench coats, trying to be "cool". I was so angry when I saw that. The principle hauled them all into the office and took their coats and sent them home.

Sorry, got off on a tangent there.

Yes, I agree, it is sad to hear about. And it's just starting. Do you remember last year, how there were three or four school shootings back to back? It's sad but true, I expect more.

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-16-2007, 09:22 PM

There are sick people out there and it's a shame, I hope the families who lost a loved one in this tragic thing will be able to cope. It's so sickening to know that there are people out there like this. They are saying this is the Deadliest single shooting in U.S. history.

**emily_hope** · 04-16-2007, 09:23 PM

It is very saddening. I always wonder what makes people snap like that...what is going through their minds.

**acidcookie** · 04-16-2007, 09:24 PM

I was also in high school during Columbine--I think I was on a trip with my orchestra at the time. Our high school used to get bomb threats and they'd excuse anyone who wanted to skip school that day.

Shootings like this are particularly frightening because it's just a rampage on anyone. Usually when I hear about a murder I'm not too afraid because the killer and victim often know each other and something has happened between them. But in a case like this you could just be in the wrong place and be killed.

I am truly sad for the VA Tech students that died, their friends, and their families. I will never understand killers like this.

**kabin63** · 04-16-2007, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Naderbug

It's scary as hell to think about it, isn't it? I remember the Columbine shooting well -- I was in high school at the time, and was sick at home that day. I watched the whole thing on TV and I remember crying when I heard about the born-again girl who died because she admitted she believed in God. At my school, the jackasses came in the next day wearing long black trench coats, trying to be "cool". I was so angry when I saw that. The principle hauled them all into the office and took their coats and sent them home.

Sorry, got off on a tangent there.

Yes, I agree, it is sad to hear about. And it's just starting. Do you remember last year, how there were three or four school shootings back to back? It's sad but true, I expect more.

Yes, I remember. I cried today. I have a DD in in a small JR/SR Highschool and she was home sick today. She expressed how this kind of thing really makes her worry about going to school sometimes. It makes me worry for her too.
This is one thing that has changed a lot since I was in high school. I never heard of school shootings and school was, for the most part, a safe place to be. Now kids don't know if they are going to come home alive, but we try not to dwell on this. It shouldn't be this way in our country.

**kabin63** · 04-16-2007, 09:45 PM

Shootings like this are particularly frightening because it's just a rampage on anyone. Usually when I hear about a murder I'm not too afraid because the killer and victim often know each other and something has happened between them. But in a case like this you could just be in the wrong place and be killed.

I am truly sad for the VA Tech students that died, their friends, and their families. I will never understand killers like this.[/quote]

I totally agree.

**nwmissourigal** · 04-16-2007, 10:40 PM

I was sickened by what happened in Virginia. I have a sister that lives pretty close to there. There are so many crazys out in the world and with the government cutting aid to hospital that help people with mental disabilities we are just setting me out in the street. So many people fall thru the cracks. I immediately starting praying for those families when I heard what happened. My heart and soul go out to those involved in this horror....Blessings...Kathy

**bumplett** · 04-16-2007, 10:53 PM

there are just no words .....

**OzFreeBird** · 04-17-2007, 03:31 AM

I can't see anything changing until the Constitution changes (ie all Americans have the right to bear arms). Guns are just too accessible for you in the States.

After the Port Arthur massacre here in Australia (anniversary comes up on 28 April), the gun laws were changed. Nobody is allowed to own a gun unless you are a licensed member of a gun club (pistols) or a farmer (single load rifle and shotgun). No semi automatic weapons without rigourous background checks, and absolutely NO automatic weapons whatsoever.

Our State Parliament today has put forward the motion to completely ban semi automatic weapons of any kind - based on what has happened in the States.

These laws may not stop black market trade of illegal weapons but it certainly reduces the likelihood of every Tom Dick and Harry popping down to Kmart for a rifle and a few hundred bullets because they have had a disagreement with their Maths teacher.

Unless there are serious amendments to the Constitution, don't think anything will change.

**iida** · 04-17-2007, 04:05 AM

OzFreeBird, we have a similar law here in Finland. I think it is a good thing.

iida

**Ceashels** · 04-17-2007, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by OzFreeBird

I can't see anything changing until the Constitution changes (ie all Americans have the right to bear arms). Guns are just too accessible for you in the States.

After the Port Arthur massacre here in Australia (anniversary comes up on 28 April), the gun laws were changed. Nobody is allowed to own a gun unless you are a licensed member of a gun club (pistols) or a farmer (single load rifle and shotgun). No semi automatic weapons without rigourous background checks, and absolutely NO automatic weapons whatsoever.

Our State Parliament today has put forward the motion to completely ban semi automatic weapons of any kind - based on what has happened in the States.

These laws may not stop black market trade of illegal weapons but it certainly reduces the likelihood of every Tom Dick and Harry popping down to Kmart for a rifle and a few hundred bullets because they have had a disagreement with their Maths teacher.

Unless there are serious amendments to the Constitution, don't think anything will change.

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Please keep in mind that the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS is NOT the same as the RIGHT TO KILL PEOPLE. The Constitution was written in at a very different time with a very different social standard. We had no army at that time. We needed a way to protect ourselves from external threats. This is one way to keep the budding Nation protected. Militia (being capitalized) refers to what we would now consider our armed forces. Our armies, navies, etc. keep our Country safe. And this is what the Constitution was aiming for... keeping our Country safe!

Are guns too easily obtained? OH YES. Does everyone who owns a gun kill people? No.

Changes to The Constitution will Not make it more difficult to get illegal weapons. Do I think there is a need for guns to be on the street? NO!
Is there any reason for anybody to have a semi automatic? NO! Do I want the US Government to be the only one with weapons? NO!

Context is everything. Just a change in the Constitution will not change the social environment that leads people to think they can commit such travesties.

Ceashels

**kabin63** · 04-17-2007, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Please keep in mind that the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS is NOT the same as the RIGHT TO KILL PEOPLE. The Constitution was written in at a very different time with a very different social standard. We had no army at that time. We needed a way to protect ourselves from external threats. This is one way to keep the budding Nation protected. Militia (being capitalized) refers to what we would now consider our armed forces. Our armies, navies, etc. keep our Country safe. And this is what the Constitution was aiming for... keeping our Country safe!

Are guns too easily obtained? OH YES. Does everyone who owns a gun kill people? No.

Changes to The Constitution will Not make it more difficult to get illegal weapons. Do I think there is a need for guns to be on the street? NO!
Is there any reason for anybody to have a semi automatic? NO! Do I want the US Government to be the only one with weapons? NO!

Context is everything. Just a change in the Constitution will not change the social environment that leads people to think they can commit such travesties.

Ceashels

I totally agree. Changing the constitution will not change people's ability to obtain a gun. Guns don't kill, people do.

**julieb** · 04-17-2007, 09:30 AM

I was so sad when I heard of the shootings. I kept thinking of the parents of everyone who attends that school. Can you imagine how frantic they had to have been to hear if it was their child who was killed or injured.
I cannot imagine that kind of terror.

**acidcookie** · 04-17-2007, 09:47 AM

I still can't believe they didn't shut down the school after the first shooting at 7am! They just let everyone continue going to class until MORE shootings happened and then decided everyone should stay where they are.