Do you notice that #1 in your list refers not to an inanimate object but to a person?

As clearly as I noticed that #2 refers to an object.

Hey, I all but agree with you. It's not black and white though. IMHO. ;)

Can we build the border fence north of Los Angeles? This is just freaking sick. :mad:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080228/ap_on_re_us/street_shootings

Just FYI. I have never read any thing regarding an “Accidental Discharge” or a firearm “malfunctioning.” Most anything that seems to be classified as an “Accidental Discharge” is really in fact a “negligent” discharge. Through proper maintenance and following the 4 rules of safe gun handling there can never be an “Accidental” discharge. Any negligent discharges can be traced back to poor maintenance or violating one or more of the 4 rules of safe firearm handling.

The closest thing to an accidental discharge that I have ever read happed as follows (but as you will see the gun did not malfunction).

An off duty LEO (law enforcement officer), was at the hospital to undergo some tests. He ignored signs about metal objects and walked into the MRI room with a loaded 1911 style .45. The firearm was carried in a “Locked and Cocked” condition (as recommended when carrying the pistol for self-defense purposes). Upon entering the room, the firearm was immediately sucked into the MRI machine and hit the wall, at which point the firearm discharged the round in the chamber. No one was injured and there was only slight damage to the MRI machine. When the firearm was retrieved from the MRI, the investigators noted that the safety was in fact still engaged. It was ultimately determined that when the firearm was sucked against the wall of the MRI, that the suction was great enough to pull the firing pin block out of the safe position allowing the firearm to discharge.

Had the LEO not ignored signs none of this would have happened. As for the discharge its self, the safety worked as intended and was manipulated by the magnet in the MRI machine.

Back to the original topic, does anyone know if these kind of shootings are occuring more often these days than say 20-40 years ago? I wonder if it has to do with today's culture of medicating everything where anyone mentioning depression or anxiety to a doctor is immediately prescribed drugs to combat these "illnesses". I think that's just stupid. I was depressed as a teenager too, but I got through it like most people and never took any drugs.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/25/antidepressants.violence/index.html?iref=newssearch

I think they are. I think a perusal of national police records or FBI records or such will probably show that to be the case. As to what's causing it. I don't think increased medication per se is the problem. I think societal degeneration is the most likely overall cause. Back in the 20's and 30's in the school district where I work kids would even bring guns to school to go hunting with afterwards and such. No-body thought anything of it. My girlfriend who grew up in Boulder Colorado of all places took hunter education classes in school - though she's not a hunter. Did it simply for fun and for firearms training. Now if you even pretend to have a weapon of any kind on you in school everybody flips out. Society itself has changed fundamentally I think. And not always for the better.

- Peter.

It might be societal degeneration. As I stated some time ago kids these days seem to have less discipline and are more spoiled. I just hope the religious nuts won't use this as an excuse to re-introduce and enforce school prayer. Religion is not the answer to violence, discipline and respect for others are.

But how will you discipline without consequences? You can't punish your kids because the mindfawks have told you that it is bad for them, self esteem, etc, etc.

It's near impossible these days. Teachers are afraid of parents suing them and parents are afraid of going to jail and CPS taking their kids away. I'm against child abuse too, but it has gone too far and even minor spanking these days could be considered child abuse. Better not do it in public.

It is called discipline. People should learn from a very young age that there are consequences for their actions. Paddling a child's backside as punishment for doing something they were told not to do is quite appropriate. There are winners and losers in life. Not everyone gets a trophy, somebody comes in last. Not everything we want should be purchased today. Its okay to wait until you have saved the money. Not everything should be instant gratification.

That is what I feel is the problem. People expect more and bigger things out of their lives and don't really work all that hard towards their goals. They feel that its unfair that they don't have, X, Y and Z, even though they haven't worked for it and don't have the talent or skills.

Discipline is what is needed.

RT

Damm right!

- Peter.

Another random murder-suicide. Again, WTF is wrong with people? It seems to be a fashion these days when committing suicide to take out a few other people as well. :mad:

http://www.wpbf.com/news/15474521/detail.html