tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post8983404866734194493..comments2024-03-27T15:44:43.564-08:00Comments on What Do I Know?: Can We Talk About Aurora Shootings Rationally?Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10498066938213558757noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post-252967764134029472012-07-21T23:24:48.351-08:002012-07-21T23:24:48.351-08:00Hi Steve,
I think NRA members would support the N...Hi Steve,<br /><br />I think NRA members would support the NRA's position in Congress on just about every issue. When you're not into Gun Culture, it's not so obvious just how extreme the average NRA member is today. I've never heard an NRA member or local gun nut say they do not see any reason for a private citizen to have large-capacity magazines. Hell, I think about everyone who supports the NRA believes folks should be allowed to have machine guns and it's legal in Alaska with the proper forms filled out and I think the local Sheriff or local law enforcement must sign the form.<br /><br />I went to the gun range two weeks ago at Birchwood with a gun friend and there were three young guys, probably 25-30 years old, and they were all shooting fully-automatic rifles... weapons most people would call "Assault Weapons."<br /><br />We ended up interacting with them more than I would have imagined since one of them had a very small concealable semi-auto that blew-up in his hand. Some kind of ammo failure but it destroyed the gun and the fellow was bleeding and grunting as he walked around trying to be brave. We went over to see if we could help at all but he had a first-aid kit in his car and patched himself up.<br /><br />These guys were your average looking, neatly and cleanly dressed, all shaven, polite, and seemed like your neighbor next door... but they clearly believe in the right to possess and use machine guns. I would consider that very odd and I can't image what you would ever need it for other than for self protection against a large, roving band of Zombies. <br /><br />If you're looking for some faction in the NRA who are moderate and open to negotiating the kind of weapons that are legal today, I honestly do not believe that they exist. IMHO.Doug Brownhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dougbrown47/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post-50623155224816389582012-07-21T18:46:47.129-08:002012-07-21T18:46:47.129-08:00Doug, I understand some level of having a gun, but...Doug, I understand some level of having a gun, but as akbright says, serious automatic weapons? I'm curious how much of the NRA membership supports all the stands organizational lobbyists take in Congress.<br /><br />Dis Gusted, I added a link to schizophrenia. I once had a student do a study on the topic of mental health stigma. She interviewed psychologist and psychiatrists to find out how many of their patients who had insurance, didn't use it. It was a high percent.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10498066938213558757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post-25134776903247660612012-07-21T14:49:02.101-08:002012-07-21T14:49:02.101-08:00There should be stricter gun laws. The states with...There should be stricter gun laws. The states with the weak gun Laws lead the Nation in gun death. <br /> Also, the federal assault weapons act passed in 1994 would've outlawed both the AR-15 and the 100-round drum magazine Holmes used. But, the law wasn't renewed under President Bush and the GOP Controlled Congress.akbightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post-41436370674724655832012-07-21T08:40:34.429-08:002012-07-21T08:40:34.429-08:00Schizophrenia tends to set in during the early 20&...Schizophrenia tends to set in during the early 20's. It's possible he's never had any mental issues before.<br /><br />OTOH, he was over 18. Therefore, even if there were signs, his parents could not FORCE him into help/therapy nor could they have him admitted against his will. <br /><br />As a student, he was probably still on their insurance. So I don't think $$ was the issue. <br /><br />The biggest crime is that mental illness is ignored in this country. It's a stigma that can't be overcome. People don't want that on their resume. It's hidden in the closet.<br /><br />Too many of the mentally ill end up in jail instead of hospitals. <br /><br /><br />There was a lot of help under President Carter for the mentally ill. He passed the Mental Health Systems bill only to have President Reagan make it obsolete.<br /><br />Massive deinstitutionalization led to a significant increase of HOMELESS mentally ill. Starting in the 2000's, they were simply drugged into tranquility with Prozac.<br /><br /><br />We got what we deserve.Dis Gustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post-49961796788021674752012-07-20T23:34:06.292-08:002012-07-20T23:34:06.292-08:00I will give pause to think on this and reply later...I will give pause to think on this and reply later.Jacob Dugan-Brausehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06287631724339961459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30897652.post-26936051969524386872012-07-20T22:58:46.480-08:002012-07-20T22:58:46.480-08:00Good piece. Your questions are very relevant to s...Good piece. Your questions are very relevant to such a horrendous event. I would like to know, like everyone else, why this seemingly bright kid with a good future who was raised in a middle-class neighborhood in San Diego, CA, a Phd candidate, went berserk! It will be helpful when more details come out about the shooter.<br /><br />I'm sure readers will pick questions out of your blog piece to address. Way too many for me. The one question I would like to address is this one:<br /><br />"How has the National Rifle Association come to have such power over our lawmakers that gun control can't even be debated these days?"<br /><br />While I am a Progressive, Leftist kinda orientated person, I marvel how Liberals deal with the NRA. This organization, of which I know very little other than I do know that its power comes from two things... 1.) vast numbers of American people subscribe to their every political position... and 2.) the Arms Industry is powerful and politically astute and uses the NRA as its PR agents. <br /><br />The NRA isn't in some vacuum and has simply acquired power and influence in this country because they have money and a clear agenda. They have power and money, much like the AARP, because they represent a whole lot of people in this country who contribute money to their organization. <br /><br />If Liberals can not go beyond the Evil Organization concept for the NRA and appreciate what the NRA represents, there will never be any change and gun people will continue to win new legislative advances in nearly all 50 states. Look how the Concealed Carry Laws have swept across this country. <br /><br />I would bet you that there will be some angry people demanding new, stricter Gun Control Laws immediately and absolutely nothing will happen. A year from now nothing will have changed and the Colorado massacre will fade into History like Columbine.Doug Brownhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dougbrown47/noreply@blogger.com