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| Britain |
| 'WHY DIDN'T SOMEBODY SHOOT BACK?' |
| 2007-04-19 |
| The British press tries to get its mind around our strange American ways... THE VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE GUN-loving Americans were asking last night: "Why didn't somebody shoot back." Right-wing commentators appeared more baffled that gunman Cho Seung-Hui wasn't "taken out earlier" than anything else. But then in Virginia, where 33 were left dead in the massacre, the only restriction on owning a gun is that you can't buy more than 12 a year. Over 30,000 people die from gunshots in America each year and there are more guns in private hands than in any other country. But the gun lobby makes sure that the second amendment of the constitution, enshrining the right of every citizen to carry arms, is upheld. Legislation to stop people buying automatic assault rifles was allowed to lapse by George Bush's government. And British experts doubt anything will change in the light of the latest tragedy. Is the author stupid, or just ignorant? Or is he a liar? Ian Ralston, of the American studies centre at Liverpool John Moores University, said: "Everyone I've spoken to says 'Why don't they do something?' I can't see it happening." Dr Stephen Mills, lecturer in American studies at Keele University, Staffs, said: "Most of this is a state matter and you don't get elected by being opposed to the death penalty or in favour of gun control - that is political reality. I doubt there will be anything done." Even Tony Blair refused to be drawn yesterday on whether the latest shooting showed the need for gun control laws in the US. Asked if he believed they should follow Britain's example in the wake of the Dunblane school massacre, he said it would be "completely inappropriate" for him to comment. Smart man. Very smart man... |
| Posted by:Dave D. |
| #14 It is past time to obey the law in this regard IMO. I meant "disobey", of course. PIMF! |
| Posted by: FOTSGreg 2007-04-19 16:32 |
| #13 Because, you moronic simpleton, VT was a "gun free" zone! As I pointed out a couple days back, just one, JUST ONE armed and law abiding citizen with a gun in Norris Hall could have dropped this lunatic in his tracks before he had a chance to kill anyone! WHEN IS THIS COUNTRY GOING TO LEARN THAT AN ARMED POPULATION IS A POLITE POPULATION? People decry America's so-called "gun culture" when, in half the rest of the world, AK47s are common enough you can't hardly walk down the street without stumbling over one. It is past time to obey the law in this regard IMO. If a law is patently stupid and protects only the criminal then it is a criminal law and there is absolutely zero reason to obey that law when it places you or other law abiding citizens at risk of murder by criminals and lunatics!!! I used to pack. I quit doing it many years ago for vague reasons. I swear this now - I'm arming myself with a concealed weapon asap and the laws of the locality, state, and country be damned where they overrule this! I will NOT stand idly by and be a victim or allow others to become victims if I have a chance to do anything about it by going "well heeled". |
| Posted by: FOTSGreg 2007-04-19 16:30 |
| #12 He's European... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-04-19 15:02 |
| #11 Is the author stupid, or just ignorant? Or is he a liar? All of the above? |
| Posted by: xbalanke 2007-04-19 15:00 |
| #10 When you're raised in a victim culture, you don't take advantage of the time between reloads to attack the ambush. Where was the nanny state to protect them? Issuing declarations that carrying a state licensed weapon for self-defense would get you thrown out of the college is a start. This is along the lines of telling people to shut up and get in the box cars quietly. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-04-19 11:50 |
| #9 The real question here is what were authorities doing in the two hours between shootings. Mr. Cho had plenty of time to shoot videos, send them off to NBC, and then walk across campus to shoot 30 more people. In fact, I think the only thing that stopped Cho was running out of ammo. I personally don't own a gun, but if I were attending Virginia Tech I would certainly consider it. I am not aware that the school or law enforcement authorities actually protected or saved a single person. |
| Posted by: DoDo 2007-04-19 11:47 |
| #8 As a goodwill gesture to the Eurotards, I say we should all agree to a ban on these automatic assualt rifles. |
| Posted by: Thoth 2007-04-19 10:04 |
| #7 slightly OT, but: Did anyone else think this kid's speech was strange -- did he have some sort of speech impediment? |
| Posted by: Captain Lewis 2007-04-19 09:45 |
| #6 unindicted co-murderers. That's about right. |
| Posted by: Angaiger Tojo1904 2007-04-19 06:38 |
| #5 I've decided on a new name for people who desire gun control. Unindicted co-murderers. By their efforts and actions in disarming people, they have directly allowed people such as this wackjob on VT campus to murder people. Therefore, they are partly responsible. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2007-04-19 02:21 |
| #4 D ***ng, forgot the link source but it was an article titled WHERE WERE THE MEN? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-04-19 01:45 |
| #3 PBMcL, media are not in business to report facts, but to influence opinions. I thought you knew, Newsweek stated that exact purpse already in 1979. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-04-19 00:53 |
| #2 Notice no mention of the fact that VT, like Britain, is a "gun-free zone." |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2007-04-19 00:47 |
| #1 you don't get elected by being opposed to the death penalty or in favour of gun control - that is political reality. I doubt there will be anything done There's a reason for this. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-04-19 00:09 |