Proud of our Youth !

[barrysloate]

These kids are 17 and 18 years old, many who will be able to vote for the first time in November. We'll see where this all goes. Ideally, both sides of the gun debate can come to some understanding, but given the mood in America today, we'll probably see more shouting and less listening.

I see good points on both sides, and I'm happy to see young people getting so involved, whether you agree with them or not.

[Jim65]

You can ban all guns but it does not get to the root of the problem, why are they shooting up schools? Why blame our mental health laws or the media that glorifies all these mass shootings when guns are the easiest targets?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Jim65

You can ban all guns but it does not get to the root of the problem, why are they shooting up schools? Why blame our mental health laws or the media that glorifies all these mass shootings when guns are the easiest targets?

It would seem that we can all agree on not letting mentally unstable people have guns. That might be a pretty big task in itself.
As for the media, they are what they are. They just report the stuff though I agree it seems they glorify it by how much they cover it. But if it didn't happen they wouldn't cover it. It is going to be tough to make meaningful changes, imo. Even if they appear meaningful I have a feeling it might only slightly curb the issue. There are so many guns in our society (and elsewhere) I don't see the problem going away soon. And I am usually mostly an optimist.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by Leon

It would seem that we can all agree on not letting mentally unstable people have guns. That might be a pretty big task in itself.
As for the media, they are what they are. They just report the stuff though I agree it seems they glorify it by how much they cover it. But if it didn't happen they wouldn't cover it. It is going to be tough to make meaningful changes, imo. Even if they appear meaningful I have a feeling it might only slightly curb the issue. There are so many guns in society (and elsewhere) I don't see the problem going away soon. And I am usually mostly an optimist.

Hi Leon, Im not really blaming the media, I know they have a job to do but I guarantee there is someone out there right now feeling like a nobody who fails at everything who sees how famous the Lakeland shooter is and might just be crazy enough to emulate him.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Jim65

Hi Leon, Im not really blaming the media, I know they have a job to do but I guarantee there is someone out there right now feeling like a nobody who fails at everything who sees how famous the Lakeland shooter is and might just be crazy enough to emulate him.

I understand but not sure there is an (easy) answer.

[barrysloate]

I agree with Leon that there is no easy fix here. When I think of all the changes I would like to see made, I realize they may not do a damn thing to keep guns out of the hands of crazy people.

A dialogue between guns rights people and those who believe there should be fewer guns would be a good start. But that will never happen.

[chlankf]

Originally Posted by Leon

It would seem that we can all agree on not letting mentally unstable people have guns. That might be a pretty big task in itself.

But who decides what mentally unstable is?

I agree that some have given up their right and other just shouldn't own. But.the definition of mentally unstable is where we could have big issues.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I see good points on both sides, and I'm happy to see young people getting so involved, whether you agree with them or not.

Spot on.

[bnorth]

Some people collect guns, target shoot with guns, and hunt with guns. Banning guns is as stupid to them as banning baseball card collecting would be to most on this forum.

[bravos4evr]

I got 4 words for ya

"shall not be infringed"

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Some people collect guns, target shoot with guns, and hunt with guns. Banning guns is as stupid to them as banning baseball card collecting would be to most on this forum.

Ben- nobody is suggesting that guns should be banned. Responsible Americans have every right to own them. That said, something in America isn't working. But nobody is willing to get together to fix it. And I don't have the answer on how to do that. Just saying there is a problem.