my sorrow to the conn school shootings

[Jrecee]

Some use events like these to press their political beliefs, and while the timing might seem offensive, the conversation has to take place, and of course it is more likely to take place after an event like this occurs. This is the 3rd or 4th mass shooting in the last few months, and probably the worst. A liberal president has been re-elected. The gun-control debate is definitely going to rage for a while now.

Typical Argument 1: If you make guns illegal, these people will get them anyway.

80% of mass shooters obtained their weapons legally. I have trouble believing that if guns were made illegal, that every one of those killers would have gone to the lengths to obtain weapons illegally. It would certainly put a dent in these events.

Typical Argument 2: If we make guns easier to obtain, a citizen could have stepped in and stopped the shooting

In practically none of the mass shootings that have occurred over the years, has the shooter been stopped by a carrying civilian. This is due to a combination of people being untrained with the weapons they have, or simply not having a weapon. Guns are easy to obtain. The reason not every citizen is armed is not because they can't purchase a gun, it's because they don't want a gun.

Typical Argument 3: Guns don't kill people, Mentally unstable people with guns kill people

So why do the very people arguing against gun control, also happen to be against restrictions that would keep guns out of the hands of mentally unstable people. And why do they also happen to be against spending their tax dollars on programs for mentally unstable people?

Basically the argument boils down to: "We want reasonable gun control laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands!" vs. "No! That goes against the second amendment! Make guns easier to obtain and change nothing else!"

[DinnerX]

Some use events like these to press their political beliefs, and while the timing might seem offensive, the conversation has to take place, and of course it is more likely to take place after an event like this occurs.

You're right of course. I just get touchy about it.

In practically none of the mass shootings that have occurred over the years, has the shooter been stopped by a carrying civilian. This is due to a combination of people being untrained with the weapons they have, or simply not having a weapon. Guns are easy to obtain. The reason not every citizen is armed is not because they can't purchase a gun, it's because they don't want a gun.

While it's easy to get a gun, many public places don't want you to have one on you.

So why do the very people arguing against gun control, also happen to be against restrictions that would keep guns out of the hands of mentally unstable people. And why do they also happen to be against spending their tax dollars on programs for mentally unstable people?

"It's the crazy people's fault! Let's do nothing to help them!" Yeah. There should be more effort put into identifying and helping people on the edge, in my opinion. I see it as protecting the public, which is definitely part of what a government ought to do.

[ninjainspandex]

We used to be able to institutionalize crazy people, unfortunately were not allowed to do that anymore so they just roam free.

[AppleQueso]

We used to be able to institutionalize crazy people, unfortunately were not allowed to do that anymore so they just roam free.

where on earth did you get that idea?

[Michi]

We used to be able to institutionalize crazy people, unfortunately were not allowed to do that anymore so they just roam free.

I don't know about other states, but in Florida we have the Baker Act.

The Florida Mental Health Act of 1971 (commonly known as the "Baker Act") is a Florida statute allowing for involuntary examination of an individual.

The Baker Act allows for involuntary examination (what some call emergency or involuntary commitment). It can be initiated by judges, law enforcement officials, physicians, or mental health professionals. There must be evidence that the person:

* has a mental illness (as defined in the Baker Act).
* is a harm to self, harm to others, or self neglectful (as defined in the Baker Act).

Examinations may last up to 72 hours after a person is deemed medically stable and occur in over 100 Florida Department of Children and Families-designated receiving facilities statewide.

There are many possible outcomes following examination of the patient. This includes the release of the individual to the community (or other community placement), a petition for involuntary inpatient placement (what some call civil commitment), involuntary outpatient placement (what some call outpatient commitment or assisted treatment orders), or voluntary treatment (if the person is competent to consent to voluntary treatment and consents to voluntary treatment). The involuntary outpatient placement language in the Baker Act took effect in 2005.

Not perfect, but at least it's something.

[Jrecee]

I have the solution. If we give the crazy people even MORE guns, they're more likely to kill themselves before they get a chance to kill anyone else.

Problem solved.

[ninjainspandex]

We used to be able to institutionalize crazy people, unfortunately were not allowed to do that anymore so they just roam free.

where on earth did you get that idea?

The voices in my head.

[CFFJR]

What a god damned nightmare.

[Breetai]

Expensive idea, but...

...what if the main office at the front of the school had a panic button, kind of like how banks have one where they just push it and it alerts the police to come ASAP? This panic button would lock any doors in the lobby area, thereby confining anyone in that area to the lobby. It would also start a 1-minute timer to lock all other doors leading to other parts of the school, thereby minimalism access to other parts of the school. Teachers would also have a panic button which would instantly lock their classroom door (or the door to whatever room, such as gym, cafeteria, shop, music room, etc.). Install bulletproof glass on all school windows.

Yeah, maybe that's extreme and would cost too much, but it would make schools more secure. If banks can have something similar, why couldn't schools? Kids are more important that a bunch of paper money.

[TEKTORO]

This news is very sad and shocking, I was sick to my stomach hearing about this.
It's bad enough schools have to worry about staying open to teach because of the economy but now have to worry about sickos like this. I have two young children myself and my heart and prayers go out to those affected and their precious children.