Routine Shootings at US Schools and Universities Megathread.

[Camerus]

I don't see any reason to believe democracy or civil liberties depend upon an armed citizenry.

[Oexmelin]

If it's jingoistic to prefer the US system to the Chinese, then count me in, by jingo!

No, it's jingoistic to raise the stakes of the conversation to such silly heights when all that has been said is that the current US stance on mass shootings, and gun control, are highly "unusual" and "unreasonable". No one has seriously been arguing that the only alternative to the current US situation is to turn the American political system into a Chinese-style dictatorial regime.

I suspect, though I may be wrong, that what irks here is that foreigners continue to be appalled, and call attention to this highly "unusual" aspect of the US, while Americans are resigned to it. Jingoism comes in when it's the source of the criticism (foreigners) rather than the substance of it, that provokes a reaction.

[11B4V]

Frankly, I've stopped caring about these shootings.  These things are bound to happen as long as the US continues its highly unusual and unreasonable stance on guns.  Wake me up when the regulations change, and I don't expect that to happen any time soon. 

The gun people won. I am basically in the same boat you are at this point. Of course even if regulations did change it would take decades before it would have much of an impact.

Quitters

[Valmy]

Quitters

Hey I am always open to other methods to fighting school shootings. Maybe heavily armed defense drones.

[11B4V]

Quitters

Hey I am always open to other methods to fighting school shootings. Maybe heavily armed defense drones.

50 years ago gay marriage was a pipe dream. With guns it will take time too, but it will get there.

[Ed Anger]

Quitters

Hey I am always open to other methods to fighting school shootings. Maybe heavily armed defense drones.

One of the local systems near me(Riverside) has put guns into the school that authorized people can access the gun safe.

I assume it won't work as the teachers would wet their pants. LIBERUL TEACHERS.

[Eddie Teach]

If it's jingoistic to prefer the US system to the Chinese, then count me in, by jingo!

No, it's jingoistic to raise the stakes of the conversation to such silly heights when all that has been said is that the current US stance on mass shootings, and gun control, are highly "unusual" and "unreasonable". No one has seriously been arguing that the only alternative to the current US situation is to turn the American political system into a Chinese-style dictatorial regime.

I suspect, though I may be wrong, that what irks here is that foreigners continue to be appalled, and call attention to this highly "unusual" aspect of the US, while Americans are resigned to it. Jingoism comes in when it's the source of the criticism (foreigners) rather than the substance of it, that provokes a reaction.

Not foreigners. Mono. A guy who won't say a word against his own government but feels free to criticize mine.

But that's beside the point. I do believe guns have a deterrent effect on government agents acting with impunity and I do believe an armed populace is less accepting of limitations on its liberty. That's not to say the US and Chinese systems are the only options, but... It does seem like Euros are more deferential to their governments and more amenable to restrictions on their liberty than we are.

That's not to say I oppose various gun control measures that might be proposed in congress. But I think the right to bear arms is important.

[Razgovory]

I'd like to say that I don't believe that guns (at least in the hands of civilians) have any deterrent effect on government.  I don't know why this fantasy that the government is kept in check by gun owners is so pervasive in the US.  Do other countries have it?

[11B4V]

I blame the tyrannical British.

[Eddie Teach]

I'd like to say that I don't believe that guns (at least in the hands of civilians) have any deterrent effect on government.  I don't know why this fantasy that the government is kept in check by gun owners is so pervasive in the US.  Do other countries have it?

I don't know why you can't distinguish between government and government agents.

[The Brain]

There are certainly armed citizens in Sweden who at least attempt to intimidate government agents. They are a small minority though, and they don't use legally acquired firearms.

[The Brain]

Might be mildly interesting to know: there are about 2 million registered civilian firearms in Sweden (pop 10 million).

[Grey Fox]

I'd like to say that I don't believe that guns (at least in the hands of civilians) have any deterrent effect on government.  I don't know why this fantasy that the government is kept in check by gun owners is so pervasive in the US.  Do other countries have it?

I don't know why you can't distinguish between government and government agents.

In this instance the distinction is irrelevant. Americans are afraid of their own government & have been since the start.

[Razgovory]

I'd like to say that I don't believe that guns (at least in the hands of civilians) have any deterrent effect on government.  I don't know why this fantasy that the government is kept in check by gun owners is so pervasive in the US.  Do other countries have it?

I don't know why you can't distinguish between government and government agents.

I don't know what you are getting at here.

[mongers]

I'd like to say that I don't believe that guns (at least in the hands of civilians) have any deterrent effect on government.  I don't know why this fantasy that the government is kept in check by gun owners is so pervasive in the US.  Do other countries have it?

I don't know why you can't distinguish between government and government agents.

I don't know what you are getting at here.

Government = evil entity.

Govt. agents =  mouth of Sauron.

All gun owners = potential heroes.