Gay club attacked in Florida

[Bubbles]

The only thing I could see working is making people take a safety course before they are allowed to own one, from a registered club like the NRA.

We have something similar in the UK if you want to shoot with a bow and arrow at a range.

Perhaps some sort of gun license and safety training  is the way to go, rather than try and take them away altogether.

The trouble is, some people are so hysterical about the subject of guns that the gun owners would be afraid it was the start of the slippery slope to taking away their guns and rights.

In some ways hysterical reactions to guns in the USA, doesn't help because people become entrenched.

Then nothing is done to make any improvements.

I wouldn't want to see them have our level of hysteria in the uk on things, so we can't do anything 

Even our Olympic team have to leave the country to practice with their guns

Stupid stupid stupid! 

[Nearly Sane]

Is that the Olympics Assault Rifle team?

[Bubbles]

Not true. If proper gun control laws were in place it would limit the availability to the likes of this person - who only purchased his firearms a few weeks ago.

But even if it it only stopped one death isn't it worth changing the law - or are you just not bothered about that one life?

If we passed laws every time someone got hurt/killed, we wouldn't be able to do anything or go anywhere.

[Aruntraveller]

If we passed laws every time someone got hurt/killed, we wouldn't be able to do anything or go anywhere.

I repeat - because you really aren't taking it in, over 1 million people killed by guns in the USA since John Lennon was assassinated.

Your options basically are to do nothing. Courses blah, blah.

They've done that already. They don't work. You have to find a way to restrict the number of guns. And it cannot be beyond them to at least say we really don't need automatic assault rifles freely available to every wing nut that wants one.

I'm all for freedom - but its useless if you are dead.

[floo]

If we passed laws every time someone got hurt/killed, we wouldn't be able to do anything or go anywhere.

YE GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As so many have been killed by gun crime in the US surely it is time to restrict gun use in that crazy country!

[BeRational]

I think even in the States people might relinquish their assault rifles.

I very much doubt it.

[BeRational]

YE GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As so many have been killed by gun crime in the US surely it is time to restrict gun use in that crazy country!

How could it be restricted.

Anyone that promotes it, will very quickly be out of office.

[Gonnagle]

Dear World,

What I know.

I know that buying a gun in America is relatively easy, the NRA or members of have actually spoken out about this, they want tougher checks.

What I think.

I think the mood in America is angry, judging by how well Trump is doing, I can't see the Obama administration getting very far in changing the gun law, it will only make Americans more angry, America wants to point the finger and they certainly don't want to point it at themselves, if I was Obama I would be talking to the NRA, talk to the gun owners, they have some of the answers, not all of them, it should not be as easy as asking a guy at your local gun club if his gun is for sale.

I also think that the same anger of your ordinary American can be seen in this EU debacle, Brexit voters are angry, but I think they are angry at the wrong target, yes the EU does need reformed but the real target should be the present government, there austerity measures have not worked, time to ditch the Tories, make government more transparent, make taxation fairer, give the British people the tools to improve everybody's life.

Gonnagle.

[Rhiannon]

If we passed laws every time someone got hurt/killed, we wouldn't be able to do anything or go anywhere.

The law on handgun ownership changed after Dunblane. You don't think that was sensible?

[BeRational]

The law on handgun ownership changed after Dunblane. You don't think that was sensible?

Perhaps.

But it was knee jerk, and laws made in this haste may not be the best solution.

[Aruntraveller]

Perhaps.

But it was knee jerk, and laws made in this haste may not be the best solution.

Oh come on - its not like the USA hasn't had time to think about it.

[Udayana]

Oh come on - its not like the USA hasn't had time to think about it.

Quite. They obviously prefer to bear the risks. They have a democratic system so can vote to change if they want to.

Personally I don't understand why people here get worked up about US murders when there are any number of other mass killings all around the world - usually for thought out political reasons, not actions of unhinged persons or accidents.

[Owlswing]

I think even in the States people might relinquish their assault rifles.

I wouldn't bet on it if I were you!

[floo]

I wouldn't bet on it if I were you!

Nor would I.

[Owlswing]

Nor would I.

If Donald Trump's success is anything to go by I would say that if there are two alternatives, one incredibly stupid and the other terminally insane, I can guess which one Americans would probably go for.

Again I say, and stress, using the success of Donald Trump as a guideline for the assessment rather than blind bigotry.

[Shaker]

Personally I don't understand why people here get worked up about US murders when there are any number of other mass killings all around the world - usually for thought out political reasons, not actions of unhinged persons or accidents.

I suppose it's largely open-mouthed incredulity that a highly advanced Western nation should in 2016 allow any old Tom, Dick and Harry - private citizens, who walk the streets the same as anyone - to buy and keep such lethal weapons, couple with disbelief that after all these mass shootings, and the bodies keep on piling up, they still won't do anything at all about it.

[floo]

I read on another forum that some anti-gay bigots are really happy about this massacre, they must be very sick and insane!

[BeRational]

Oh come on - its not like the USA hasn't had time to think about it.

They have thought, and they choose guns.

It's not really our business.

When I was over there using a gun range, the guy looked incredulous when I asked to be shown how to use the gun.

When I told him I was from England, he sort of smirked and said "Oh yeh, you guys do not have guns. How do your police work?"

He could not understand that out police also do not (routinely) carry guns, except at airports.

[Aruntraveller]

They have thought, and they choose guns.

It is not an 'either - or' situation. They have many options. Better checks.  Only certain types of guns available. A cooling off period before issue of equipment.

[BeRational]

It is not an 'either - or' situation. They have many options. Better checks.  Only certain types of guns available. A cooling off period before issue of equipment.

I know, and they have considered them all, and they like the system they have.

They accept that these mass murders will happen, and they do not care.

There is not much more to say, it's not our problem, they vote how they like.

Personally, after Dunblane I would have liked more checks and restrictions rather than a flat ban.

This takes away the freedoms from many due to the crazy actions of a few.

[Aruntraveller]

They accept that these mass murders will happen, and they do not care.

Really, wow.

I'll let my American friends know.

[Shaker]

I know, and they have considered them all, and they like the system they have.

They accept that these mass murders will happen, and they do not care.

The NRA types don't care. A majority of the public do, however - a Gallup poll found that 55% favour much stricter gun control.

[BeRational]

Really, wow.

I'll let my American friends know.

You do not really need to, they must already know.

The fact you might find some does not alter the fact that the VAST majority are happy with the current situation with regard to gun ownership.
If this was not the case, then there would be calls for reform.

[BeRational]

The NRA types don't care. A majority of the public do, however - a Gallup poll found that 55% favour much stricter gun control.

They should have no problem then getting this passed?

[Shaker]

You do not really need to, they must already know.

The fact you might find some does not alter the fact that the VAST majority are happy with the current situation with regard to gun ownership.
If this was not the case, then there would be calls for reform.

There are.