Mass Shooting in Las Vegas

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

First reports show over 50 dead and hundreds injured.  Witness say the shooter used an automatic weapon........the NRA says, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people"...........well I find that a little simplistic........would have been hard of a knife wielder to kill that many people.

According to authorities the shooter is dead, they're looking for his girlfriend now.

The gun cockroaches are going to come out of the woodwork now, claiming that if someone had been armed, they could have stopped the shooter......bulldust.  No doubt any one armed  (and there were sure to be at least several in that big a concert) were busy filling their knickers.

Prayers and condolences to the victims.

[davidc4430]

[davidc4430]

[johcaschro]

Often I wonder about how America's love affair with guns affects their tourism industry.

I know of quite a few people (and myself among them) who have said they would never consider the USA as a tourist destination because they don't want to be among people (civilians) who are carrying guns.

How much can a koala bear?

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

It's kind of sad that the only thing you can take away from my post is the fact that my daughter chose to use a ceremonial sword to cut her wedding cake. FWIW, there hasn't been a cavalry charge in the US since the start of the last century.

Your feigned outrage at this tradition is laughable.  Must be a feeling of guilt for not serving your country.

Yep......sad.

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

Odd that you should mention tourism.  My grade school friend and his wife came over from Oz last month, for the third or fourth time........had a wonderful time in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and DC.  Didn't see a single civilian packing heat.

While I can't judge how the prevalence of firearms impacts the tourist industy, you might be interested in this:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/open-carry-laws/436665/

[janeababe]

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@this-one-time-at-bandcamp wrote:

But how many of the members of that audience took out their guns and tried to protect themselves?

How did their right to bear arms actually protect them?

And how many people involved in these slaughters in the USA actually have the opportunity to use the arms that they are so fond of carrying?

....is nonsensical.   (sorry mate xxj)

They are not purchasing these (usually small /medium sized hand guns) to shoot at terrorists!  Its for 1:1 confrontation, and usually within the perimeters of their own home. Self defence in their own home to protect their family and themselves. And I agree with that.

And hopefully, they NEVER have the need to use it.

Perhap your average citizen is buying a .380 or 9mm for home defense, but if so, why are they wearing them on their belts at Walmart, at McDonalds, at the mall?

I mean who do they have to defend themselves from, little kids with signs, an over-zealous waiter, a pushy fellow shopper?  By the way, every one of the weapons displayed in the photos would go through an opponent (in a home defense scenario), through the wall behind him, and through the neighbor's wall. Sometimes simply carrying can lead to an escalation of violence. http://wnep.com/2017/08/18/woman-sentenced-for-shooting-during-pizza-fight/

As far as confronting shooters, an armed individual in Portland hid behind a column, didn't fire a shot.......at Umpqua Community College,  a carrier explained his inaction:  He was concerned that police would view him as a “bad guy” and target him, so he quickly retreated into the classroom.

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Ok, well for starters, I dont know these folk personally, and Im sure its easy to find random pics off Google to support your reply.
If YOU want to know why they are carrying guns into Wallmart, then go ask them.
We dont have Wallmart here, and I've never seen anyone other than armed security or policeforce, carrying a weapon in McDonalds or a shopping centre in Australia.
I support and agree with our gun laws. I do believe that fire-arm control measures need to be strict and regulated, but I also agree that people should be allowed to own one if the law allows.

I dont need a gun to kill someone.
I dont need a machine gun to kill a LOT of someones.

Just because they own a gun, and they carry a gun, doesn't imply they will use that gun or shoot someone or even kill someone!


With regards to the college guy who didnt want to be viewed as a bad guy and subsequently risk being shot by the police, I have to say I agree..... the cops shoot first, ask questions later!

[janeababe]

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@johcaschro wrote:

You lent your daughter a weapon of war (a long knife/army sabre) with which to cut her wedding cake?

No, I have no further questions right now. and to the ones I had, I think I know the answers.

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You're aghast astounds me!

You do realise that you can go to any markets, swap meet stalls, trade centres, antique store, Cash converters even, and buy a sword of some description....  I own about 6 antique swords. All on display in my home, and could easily do some serious damage to another human being if used! I've even got a WW11 rifle bayonet.  (that one is locked away in a display cabinet)

...goodness, walk into BCF and check out the huge fishing knives, hunting knives,fishing spears!
Better yet, walk into any catering suppliers and check out the arrangement of multi-sized kitchen /chef knives that any ordinary citizen can purchase, no questions asked!

Or, go to Bunnings and check out the various axes, shovels, spades for purchase.... chainsaws, electric nail guns!

Just as dangerous if not more dangerous, in the right hands! only difference, is distance! knives, etc,  need to be (for obvious reasons even noted by blind Freddy) close range while guns, nail guns, fishing spears do not!

All perfectly Legal!!  same as your motor vehicles, chemical sprays, poisons, oh...the list goes on!
The right to bear arms is just a SMALL splash in the ocean of the *weapons of mass destruction* debate!

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

With regards to the college guy who didnt want to be viewed as a bad guy and subsequently risk being shot by the police, I have to say I agree..... the cops shoot first, ask questions later!

So, basically, his being armed was of no use.......he was there before the cops.

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

You supplied the premise that folks buy small-to-medium guns for home defense, and I countered with 4 examples out of hundreds questioning that if they were for home defense, why were they wearing them out in public (a rhetorical question).......The ridiculous thing is, should someone decide to engage in an armed robbery, they most likely will take out those deemed a threat....open carry gun owners.  Far better to take the courses and obtain a concealed carry permit.

For what it's worth, gun ownership is at a 40 year low, and 50% of the weapons are owned by 3% of Americans.

[johcaschro]

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@this-one-time-at-bandcamp wrote:

It's kind of sad that the only thing you can take away from my post is the fact that my daughter chose to use a ceremonial sword to cut her wedding cake. FWIW, there hasn't been a cavalry charge in the US since the start of the last century.

Your feigned outrage at this tradition is laughable.  Must be a feeling of guilt for not serving your country.

Yep......sad.

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Well, I took a lot more than that from your post but i didn't think it needed comment as the pics you posted speak for themselves. and yes, I find it sad that your society is such that citizens feel the need to go about armed.

With regard to your sword (a real one or an ornamental "ceremonial" sword?) :

I just found it dissonant to introduce the idea and the memory of war into a marriage ceremony. Not so much outraged, mock or otherwise, just conscious of the stark contrast and clash of sentiments therein.