In this case the system failed, FBI and other checks that were reported about this guy weren't followed up, they didn't follow their own protocols
as reported in the news ....With him, if it wasn't a gun it would have been something else...
Steve James wrote:The argument that gun laws do nothing is moot. Laws don't stop things; they serve as deterrents and they prescribe punishments. There's a law against murder --even a Commandment. Are the laws working? If not, will more laws help? I don't think so.In this case the system failed, FBI and other checks that were reported about this guy weren't followed up, they didn't follow their own protocols
as reported in the news ....With him, if it wasn't a gun it would have been something else...
Arguing that the "FBI failed" is silly if the conclusion is that "if it wasn't a gun, it would have been something else." The two things aren't connected. The anti-FBI narrative is just a diversion. What should the FBI have done? Prevented him from buying a gun? The gun store owner or the kid's guardians should have prevented that. They knew he was 'troubled,' and he really was. But, what do we do about it? Health care?
Ok, let's profile this kid. List all his characteristics; fatherless, belongs to or attends meetings at X organizations, posts Y type of posts on Youtube and social media, bad at school, extreme interest in guns, pulls wings off butterflies, etc. Then what?
First of all, I think there'd be a long list. Secondly, I think the list would be so broad that --as you pointed out-- it would include too many people who simply weren't threats.
Michael wrote:The list of Cruz' attributes may be similar enough to other shooters in order to establish a meaningful pattern that could be studied.
Fatherless
Raised by a single mom
Autistic
Problems at school, maybe has a behavioral diagnosis.
Male.
On certain kinds of meds? ritalin, anti-depressants?
How many of the past 50 shooters fit this possible pattern?
Michael wrote:If there is a pervasive problem, such as a mental health crisis with fatherless boys raised by single moms, then considering how many hundreds of millions of guns are out there I expect there would still be more mass shootings, and each time would require more gun restrictions. I could be wrong, I just think it would lead to confiscation because of the political climate; I think that's what many people really want even if they don't openly admit it.
Florida lawmakers ignore call for tougher gun control laws with vote to block bill banning assault rifles
I've noticed several people in my feed mention Israel concerning armed citizens and guns, quoting BS put out by the NRA, so let me set a few things straight. If you want to own a gun in Israel you must consider the following:
1. 40% of applications for firearms permits are rejected. There are only 170,000 active permits currently (population 8.5 million)
2. Only a small group of people are eligible for firearms licenses. Primarily licenses go to high ranking retired military personnel, police officers, prison guards, security guards, and animal control officers. There are a small number of licences for settlers in the West Bank and hunters.
3. You must be at least 21 years old for those who completed military service otherwise you have to wait till you are 27 or 45 for non-citizen residents.
4. Applicants must be a resident of Israel for at least three consecutive years.
5. You must pass an extensive background check (including criminal check, national security check, health exam, and mental health evaluation)
6. You must establish a genuine reason for possessing a firearm. I like guns is not an option. If you say you need a gun for self-defence, you can only have one gun, and you are limited to an annual supply of 50 bullets
7. You have to justify every gun you possess separately. Owning more than two guns is extremely rare.
8. You must pass a multi-week weapons-training course.
9. You have to renew your license and pass a shooting course every three years.
10. You have to undergo a psychological assessment every six years.
11. You must have a safe at your residence in which to keep the firearm.
12. There is 100% VAT on firearms, and you will pay thousands of shekels to qualify for your license and hundreds of shekels each year to keep it.
13. There are enormous legal repercussions should your gun be miss-handled, miss-fire, injure anyone unjustly, or be used in a crime. Even if you are not the one that committed these acts.
14. You are not allowed to sell your gun to anyone but a registered dealer or the police.
In Israel, gun ownership is a privilege, not a right. It is illegal to own an assault rifle. The photo below is not an open carry gun enthusiast. It's an off-duty soldier that has to carry her weapon while in basic training. Know that when you see young Israelis carrying assault rifles, those are soldiers. I have yet to meet a single Israeli that liked doing this. It is basically a punishment. Don't believe what the NRA says. Gun violence and gun death in Israel is low, not because we all have to carry guns in our youth, but because of gun regulation, enforcement, and not breeding a culture of fear around personal protection.
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