But why does this not happen with the frequency (even per capita) in nations such as Canada, Switzerland, Finland, and Israel, nations in which gun ownership is quite high or even higher than the U.S?

Lived in Panama, El Salvador, Hondo.

We've pounded some of the same ground.

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The US is not second from last in the world with respect to children's life quality, rather it is second from last on a list of 21 countries. Obviously we could do better, but I am not willing to sell my country short by saying we are so low on the list of the entire world.

I don't know if there are more insane individuals here in the US than in other countries. It does appear that more of those who are seriously unbalanced choose mass shootings as their pressure relief valve. (I specify mass shootings as opposed to mass murder because we see terrorists doing mass murder almost on a daily basis - mass shootings seem to be unique to the US, though.)

I don't know why this is so pronounced in the US, though. Even though I don't know, I try to come up with a "why" for it. One thought I have is that we have a new generation of Americans who have become desensitized to violence and the consequences of violent acts. Video games where the player is "blowing away" people or raping women to earn points is one example. The graphics show how a person shot will be tossed off of their feet by a bullet - cool, huh? In reality, most persons do not get blown off of their feet when a bullet impacts them. This is a Hollywood and video game creation. The only carnage is the death or maiming of that person and the suffering of the loved ones who survive him/her - not cool. Also, when these kids (sound old, don't I ) think the gore they see in movies (Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Elm Street and Halloween series of movies, for example) is cool, that shows a level of desensitization. The "Jackass" series is another example. Kids think it is cool to injure or become injured. The fact that many kids think this is cool, demonstrates their desensitization, too.

Exposure to these movies and video games is not unique to American youth. So, I still don't get it. But, it is the family who should be paying attention to what their children are watching. That is becoming increasingly difficult to monitor for the parents. Parents may be diligent in not allowing these video games or movies in their homes, but what about the homes of friends of the kids? Also, more of this crap is easily accessible on the Internet. It's a difficult thing for parents.

There is one of my theories. Hopefully, this phenomenon will not spread to other countries.

Here is something that I noticed, albeit anecdotal. Pre-9/11, we were all well aware of the incidents at Columbine and other schools, the auto plant and day-trader shootings. However, after 9/11, it seems as if there was a dramatic decrease in these mass shootings. Is it because the media reported it less or was there really a decrease in mass shootings? That would be interesting to know. If indeed there was a decrease, why are these incidents occurring again? A study of that may provide insight into what in our society spurs these actions.

Wait, a shooting at a mall in Utah? NO it's impossible, the sign says you can't have weapons but *GASP* a criminal didn't follow the law?!



Maybe if there were more law abiding CCW holders in Utah this wouldn't have happened or it would have been stopped quickly.

Quoting EricOKC:

Never said that, Eric. Read my comment again- I said I believed the right to bear arms should exclude weapons typically considered weapons of war. You know, I'd love to go out into the wilderness and fire off a couple of shoulder-fired missiles or blast a cliff face with RPG's. But the law doesn't allow me to possess those types of weapons, and I understand why those laws exist and respect those laws and the reasoning behind them. I feel the same way about all "weapons of war". Other than that I do believe in the right to bear arms, up to and including semi-auto weapons- just not full-auto weapons. Unless the deer and elk are returning fire of course- then I'd be ammenable to re-visiting the issue!

Yes, if you're aiming at one particular target. But you can spray the hell out of an area with a full auto. Besides, how difficult is it to aim and hit your target when you're firing a full auto in short bursts?

Gem

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There is no political solution to our troubled evolution.

"Reality, the left-wing liberal conspiracy. "
Credited to Angry American.

I wonder where a person might get a good pupusa in the Midwest. I was in DC last week and found a nice pupuseria in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Hot little Salvadoreno ran the place. We chatted into the wee hours over pupusas. It was like being back in San Salvador all over again. . .

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Of course, the SKS is not a handgun, so the comparison with a revolver is meaningless.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

I DID read it. It is not possible for you to support the 2nd Amendment and yet at the same time advocate restricting private ownership of "weapons of war".

As an aside, all weapons are "weapons of war" my friend. That phrase is meaningless.
So go buy some and do it on your own land.
Yes it does.
Then could you explain it to me? After all, i fail to see any exemption in the 2nd Amendment granting the federal government the authority to restrict any kind of weapons ownership.
WTF do you consider to fall under that definition? If you mean "any weapon used by the military" then you are leaving um...lets see...about nothing for private use.
How magnanimous of you.

Lets see....i believe in the right to free exercise of religion, up to and including Hindu - just not Islam or Shinto.

If you understood what you were talking about (its obvious you dont) then we might actually be able to have an intelligent conversation on this matter.
Im sorry, did you get the impression that the 2nd Amendment was about hunting? I must have missed that section of it. Could you please point it out to me?
Actually if you're just pulling the trigger
Ahh yes, the "spray fire" technique, popularized by Hollywood and the Brady Campaign, but never used in real life.
Quite difficult. Its why our military has removed the full-auto option from the M16 and made it a select-fire weapon capable of single-shot or 3-round bursts.

Besides, if one is only using short bursts, then tell us again exactly how he's "spray(ing) the hell out of an area with a full auto"?

This is where anything resembling respect for your position breaks down. You want me to take you seriously in a discussion about taking away my rights and you dont have a clue about the issue at hand.

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

A "banana clip" on an SKS is not going to affect the rate of fire in any way.
You may produce a higher VOLUME of fire before changing magazines, but you will not produce a higher RATE simply because you're using a large capacity magazine.

I also assure you that your statement it fires much faster than any revolver is pure bullshit.

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

Wasn't it you who said the world record for speed shooting was done w/a revolver, not a semi-auto? Mayhap it was another. But it does make the comparison meaningful. In that most people will never achieve a level of proficiency with a revolver to shoot faster than a person w/a semi-auto.

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Ok, I'll be clearer. I meant to say I would produce a higher volume----thanks for clarifying my statement, o lord of all things mechanical.

As for your last statement, I assure you I can fire an SKS much faster than I can a revolver. Maybe it's just me. . .

Why do always have to be so pissy when addressing others? Is it because of some inadequacy issues you have? I know lots of gun enthusiasts, and they all seem to share that inadequacy trait. I'm just asking. . .

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Sure they could - if they wanted.

It is a myth that revolvers are inherently slower or that a semi-auto is somehow magically faster. They are simply two different systems. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

There's a major difference between rate and volume.

What you said, in effect, was if you put a larger trunk on your car it goes faster. There's no relationship.
Yeah - its just you. Familiarity with the tool would do it. All things being equal, it would come down to which revolver
Fair question.

I cant speak for everyone, but I have gotten sick and tired of the same lies being dragged out time and time again by the uninformed in an attempt to justify why they want to take away my rights.

Imagine how much courtesy you would have received were you a white man speaking in Watts in the 60's explaining why the black man should not be the equal of whites. It wouldnt matter how courteous you were, eventually you'd find yourself on the wrong end of an asswhooping.

Why should i stand politely by while you argue in favor of stealing my property and making me a slave?

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

Well, Eric, you & I are on the same side of this issue. I'm an advocate of all of the rights enumerated & expressed in our Bill of Rights. I'm wacky enough to think that if you feel the need to own a flame-thrower or an RPG, you should have it. . .

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Can I have a tank and a couple of fuel/air bombs too? I promise I won't set them off within ten miles of anyone's house!

Gem

__________________
There is no political solution to our troubled evolution.

"Reality, the left-wing liberal conspiracy. "
Credited to Angry American.