[LeChatNinjah]

Having debate with my other half, and also seeing similar debates all over FB today.

I am of the view that the USA seriously needs to address their gun control. I've always thought that. I simply don't see the need for any private citizen to own a semi-automatic weapon of any sort. To be honest I don't think they should have any guns, but that's clearly not the US view, so shall set that aside.

DP, however, is of the view that gun control is not the way, or at least is not the only way. He believes that the inherent violence in US (and many other) society is the issue, and if you try and take away the guns the nutjobs will resort to using cars, explosives, whatever.

I do see his point, but I think surely they could address both, and I think gun control is a pretty freaking good starting point. Addressing a culture of violence is kind of a really long-term thing, I would have thought. And it's not just a problem in the USA - look at the glassings, road rage, other stuff going on here in Australia.

Your thoughts? I've read many views that the horse has bolted on guns over there, and that new, stricter gun control laws would simply be too little, too late. I happen to support it anyway, but agree that's a problem.

My heart just breaks for those poor lost children and their families, and I hope this is the kick up the ar$e needed for everyone, of all political views to want to actually DO something.

[Jemstar]

I think gun control is part of the solution. Oe things that would help is to shift the 'me, me, me' mindset and the agro in society today in general. We need to learn to actually be communities again (and I say we because I think that lack of 'community' is a problem Australia shares with the US).

This post has been edited by Jemstar: 15/12/2012, 07:51 PM

[.Jerry.]

I think there are many answers that would help.
Some of the ones that come to mind are
- gun control laws
- changing the culture of fear
- changing the culture of revenge
- social skilling and community support.

I do think that you need to start with gun control in order to get the culture to start to change. It would be a long journey for the USA.

[LeChatNinjah]

I do think that you need to start with gun control in order to get the culture to start to change. It would be a long journey for the USA.

Agreed. I think, including our own country in this, that addressing mental health problems should also be at the top of the agenda.

[Lucretia Borgia]

I think gun control is a good start....but it must go deeper than that...a culture change....and something more...? Why are young men doing this? Or look at the flip side and explore why young women aren't?

[Guest_3Keiki_*]

Just super quick, with gun control they could simply start with the automatic weapons which is what makes the deathtoll so freaking high, surely one doesn't need high powered weapons available to every tom d*ck and harry.
But we can pontificate all we like... never happen the NRA et all is just too powerful in the states and as PP have stated it a cultural issue as well.

[LeChatNinjah]

3Keiki - I don't think anyone is trying to control more than the semi-automatics. It's far too deeply ingrained in the US culture that there is a "right to bear arms", but why, for the love of all effing things holy would a primary school teacher (alleged parent of alleged gunman in CT) have 3 fully registered semi-automatic guns.

Not only that, but I've read unconfirmed stories that CT requires these to be both locked in a safe AND have trigger locks, and hers had neither.

[LucidDream]

Yes I agree that gun control is the answer, it is simply too easy to get your hands on one.Statistics show a causal link between gun proliferation and murder rates The NRA is a truly toxic dysfunctional influence on the American politicial scene, and has worked hard to make guns easier to obtain in that country than any other. I think the key is to get enough ordinary people ready to say "I HATE guns and I vote."

I will be watching Obama with interest over the coming months. I reckon he is willing to take some risks in his second term. He secured universal health care in his first term, what a legacy it would be to take on and win against the gun lobby in his second.

[libbylu]

I don't know if the 'culture of violence' is any worse in the US than in other western societies.....
Most people who go on shooting rampages seem to be teetering on the edge of mental breakdown. If I were in that condition right here in Melbourne I would have no idea how to get a gun. It would probably take me days of planning/research etc. to work it out and acquire one - I do not know one person who owns one that I could take. Hopefully I would have the chance to get help before I got hold of a gun. Where in the US many people have one in their house just sitting there so one little slip towards a breakdown can have immediate and drastic consequences.

It's true that if you are planning mass murder in cold blood you could get hold of one eventually, but I don't think these things are necessarily very well planned.

[LeChatNinjah]

Agree 100% Libbylu