Last time I checked, kindergarten kids were not eligible for CCW permits... even in Florida.

I understand the gun owners desire to keep their weapons and their 'right' to such, but these kind of events elevate the need to seriously discuss the nature of firearms and their sale in this country.

We could go on about how there are other methods, and that is a valid point, but the simple fact is firearms fall too easily into the hands of deranged whack jobs in our country. I would venture that a much smaller percentage would take the time and effort required to utilize different methodology.

First step should be to eliminate the handgun. No sales to private citizens anywhere, for any reason. If you need to carry to protect yourself, get a shotgun. Can't argue with the deterrent factor. (flame suit on...)

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I have noticed an uptick in cases of Mental Illness over the last twenty-five years, but I think what I am really seeing is an uptick in untreated Mental Illness.

I remember this starting in California where a general cutback in Mental Illness funds put a number of those in 'homes' back on the street. Then the trend spread as churches and other non-profits were expected to deal with the mentally ill/homeless. Many of these conditions can be treated on an outpatient basis, but the cost of medication is beyond the reach of many without insurance.

In any case, in my uneducated opinion the place to start would be with the individuals that are prone to abuse guns or any other weapon. I do not think reducing the number of guns will lead to a reduction in gun crimes since if the intent to move ahead with a violent act is there a way forward will be found.

Like that cult leader in Japan that made homemade nerve gas and released it on the Tokyo subway. That took planning and help, though -- it wasn't just one crazy guy with a bad plan..

As a normal suburb resident- here is what I'm imagining is going through a lot of parent's minds

1) I should have taken my child out of school today and played at the park with them

2) I should have given him a hug before he got on the bus

3) I wish that I didnt get mad at her this morning for...

4) Why didnt I tell him that I loved him when I woke him up this morning

5) Maybe if she forgot her lunch, I could have brought it to her and saved her from...

Thats all I got. I only fully agree with the previous poster that said we need more help for people with mental illnesses - that seems to be the only OTHER common thread with all these shootings.

The chances of someone dying in a mass shooting in the US are still so small that the only lesson we can get from this is: "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

John- that is exactly how I feel, but didn't know how to put it to words. Thanks

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1984 300TD 1981 240D

Anybody know when the last time was there was a mass murder by bomb in this country? The last I recall was oklahoma city. Last time there was a mass murder by knife or sword? By poison gas? By bioterrorism? I can recall the anthrax letters after 9/11.

When was the last time there was a mass shooting in this country?

Is anyone REALLY surprised by this? Anyone really think that this will be the last mass shooting in the US? Anyone really think that this will be the last mass shooting AT A SCHOOL in the United States? This is reality of our society, and I have no illusions that it will not continue to happen, over and over and over again.

This is an incredible tragedy, and I feel awful for the families in CT. My wife has a cousin with three young kids who live 30 minutes away from that school.

I think that is unlikely given the skill set required to build such a device and the simplicity of buying a gun.

There will always be a a few mice that are smarted than the rest. I do not think that is a valid reason for doing nothing which is exactly what we are doing.

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Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

If he had the knowledge to build an alternate weapon perhaps. Unlikely he could have accomplished the same results with out a gun.

Gun control would certainly have prevented him from getting the gun from his mom, and could have prevented him from buying a weapon else where.

Current gun control laws are useless and unenforced so if that is the standard we are using then I agree more of nothing would have produced the same result and the same murdered people.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

The car BS has already been addressed. Not many people are intentionally killed by cars. The guy in CT did not accidentally kill 20+ people. ANy object can kill, the question is 1. is it accidental or intentional 2. what is the design intent of the object.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

At this risk of sounding too philosophical or abstract, I have a comment to make.

I think this issue of gun control vs. gun rights only addresses the proximate issue here. The ultimate issue, to me, is why young people are compelled to not only end their own lives, but to take the lives of innocent, completely unrelated victims. What causes a person to engage in such destructive behavior? What thoughts have snowballed in their minds to the point where hate / anger / despair drives them to commit such acts? Do they feel anger toward authority? Toward the institution / "the man"? Toward society in general?

In my opinion, we need to ask not only these questions, but also assess the changes in our society over the past several decades. I'm relatively young, but in conversations with my parents (in their mid-60s), they never, ever remembered anything like these random massacres while they were growing up, and while they were young adults. (Yes, there was the University of Texas sniper in the mid-1960s -- but such acts were extremely, extremely rare). This makes me wonder: how has our society changed in the past 40 to 50 years? How have our values, beliefs, and institutions changed -- e.g. the nuclear family, religion, entertainment, media, education, technology, etc.? Has the evolution or changes to these systems all been for the better? What role do the changes in all of these systems and values have in the increased alienation that young people may feel, and the mental health issues that they may suffer from?

I think we need to examine the broader picture here. Perhaps we should engage in some self-examination as a society, and ask whether the paths we've pursued in recent history contribute to the health, happiness, and improvement of the individual human being; or if they damage us as individuals, lead to despair, and impair our desire and ability to love and connect with our fellow man.

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-1985 300TD - 324k mi on chassis. MB "Tauschaggregat" 617 motor + 4-speed conversion
Alaska Roadtrip 2009
-2002 E320 Wagon - 197k mi
-1998 E320 Wagon - 310k mi - retired

No surprises here. Hopefully it will be a while before someone here starts the same thread again; but I doubt it will be that long.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Amen

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Satan creates nothing: he only ruins everything. He does not invent: he tampers. And his followers are no different ~ Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigaṇ

I hope certain groups do not use this incident to deny yet again deny us a discussion on how to stop the carnage.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Amen again.

__________________
Satan creates nothing: he only ruins everything. He does not invent: he tampers. And his followers are no different ~ Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigaṇ

Find out how he got into the building and arrest those responsible for one.

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Satan creates nothing: he only ruins everything. He does not invent: he tampers. And his followers are no different ~ Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigaṇ