You may want to think twice about running for school board.

[floodcitybrass]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReJn0kmobnI

[felix'apprentice]

that is insane .... i personally think that he didn't intend to really shoot anyone - look how close he was. unless hes that bad of a shot. holy crap. and the lady with the purse - what was she thinking? he coulda killed her right then and there, and didnt. people are freakin nuts!

- kayla.

[joltinjeff]

Saw that this morning and was shocked!!!
Maybe I should go and get a protection permit....you never know what kinda crazies are out there and this proves that no one is safe or immune from this kind of silly crap!!!!!
I am now officially scared!!!

[Jasaoke]

That right there is the reason I have a permit and carry. Every time I hear about this kind of crap, I think "What if somebody in that room had a firearm and was trained and skilled with it?" The more people carry, the less this type of thing would happen.

[RobTheDrummer]

Yea, crazy shit happens every single day. When you have a dangerous job, you just can't think about the shit that could happen at any given time. That will most likely be the only time those board members have something like that happen to them. And you know what's gonna happen with that now? The school will have to spend money to have a screening process....

[LHSL]

That right there is the reason I have a permit and carry. Every time I hear about this kind of crap, I think "What if somebody in that room had a firearm and was trained and skilled with it?" The more people carry, the less this type of thing would happen.

Agree. Had the lady with the purse had a gun instead, it would have all been over a lot sooner. No one should ever be denied the right to defend themselves with acceptable modern weaponry.

[LHSL]

that is insane .... i personally think that he didn't intend to really shoot anyone - look how close he was. unless hes that bad of a shot. holy crap. and the lady with the purse - what was she thinking? he coulda killed her right then and there, and didnt. people are freakin nuts!

That my friend is true bravery. It's not the stupid. It's people like her that prevented flight 93 from killing even more people. More people need to stand up for themselves and quit being victims.

Remember the employee in Somerset that chased down a burgler at his employer's place of business? The Tribune Democrat raked him over the coals for being stupid. I wrote a letter in supporting him in his efforts. The more you let criminals walk all over you, the more they will do it.

[f.sciarrillo]

The guy who shot him had a press conference today.

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/16/hero- ... them-down/

He said that he wasn't a hero. I think he is ..

[KeithReynolds]

Man, that guy was a horrible shot. Thats the saddest part of the story.

I think there should be NO guns at all. Too many nutbars out there. Everyone wants to play Call of Duty in real life or pretend to be rambo.
People that wouldnt do shit to save anyone now think they are GOD because they have a gun. Without the gun, they are nothing more than scared little pussies. Guns give a false sense of power to the weak.
I have a stupid ass friend back home who has alot of guns. He even wears them in his house with no one else home so he can feel more like a badass. Its SAD. He is now a security guard and guards empty fields. He thinks chicks like him because he has guns. He takes all kind of pics with his guns. I really cant stand to be around him. I went to school with him, and even when people punched him, he did NOTHING. Now that he has guns, hes ready to start shit with anyone. Take his gun away and he will run.
There are TOO MANY guns in the world. If NO ONE had guns, things would be much better.

[Jasaoke]

Keith, I agree with you in part. If no one had guns, ever, things would, in fact, be better.

However...

Simply owning or possessing a gun does not make someone a hero or villian. On September 11, 2001, we learned that a few determined men with nothing more than box cutters can kill by the thousands. Guns simply level the playing field; size or strength doesn't matter.
Consider this:
A bit (however small) of effort and concentration go into loading a firearm. In this case, a semi-automatic; clip springs are not often easily compressed. To then chamber a round, the slide has to be pulled completely back. This takes some strength. Women and children often have difficulty chambering sem-autos. The firearm must then be weilded. Holding, aiming, and effectively firing a gun is an artform unto itself, and you may or may not believe me but it takes practice, skill, and discipline to be effective from even a very short range (5 yards).
Any bladed weapon is, in fact, a much more efficient way to kill. A well-placed stab or slash can kill a man just as well as a well-placed shot. A knife is much more discreet, reusable, and much more difficult to forensically trace (many firearm manufacturers now test-fire every gun before it leaves the factory. The fired bullets are kept by the manufacturer and cataloged with the serial numbers.)

And I feel compelled to point out that we already have guns. If we agree (hypothetically) that guns are, in fact, bad and the cause of problems, then what is the solution? Do we outlaw guns? OK How do we get rid of the ones we have? More to the point: How do we get guns out of the hands of people who will use them for harm? We're talking about folks who don't follow the laws about murder! Are we to expect them to somehow give a crap about possession?

Personally, if some one walks up and points a gun in my face, or at my wife or children, I want something to rely on that is more dependable than the belief that we're all supposed to "be nice" to each other.

Oh, no, I've gone political...

[KeithReynolds]

Well, we cant outlaw guns regardless. Thousands of pissed off rednecks would start a civil war. They would stoop to terrorism just to be able to have their guns. When the "right to have guns" thing was created, they didnt forsee automatic weapons, shotguns, grenade launchers, lazers, or whatever else people what to shoot eachother with.
So now, everyone and their mother have guns. Gangs, cops, psychos, wannabe rambos, kids, and even people who generally want to "protect" themselves. So we combat gun violence by making MORE guns and putting them in everyone's hands.
Gun violence hasnt gone down. People still will rob you or kill you regardless if you have a gun or not. When does it stop? Why not give everyone boxes of hand grenades or rocket launchers?

Most people keep their guns loaded because an unloaded gun cant protect anyone. Guns just give a false sense of power. As I said before, take a badass man with a gun and then take his gun away. He will become powerless and scared. Anyone would have balls the size of Texas if they had a gun. If it was an unarmed person, nothing would happen.

Now were gonna have the deer hunters bitching cause "dey need dem gunz ta shoot da ders". Screw hunting. If it is a "real sport" then treat it like a real sport and just use arrows. Shit, you wanna impress me? kill a deer with a four inch knife. THATS sport. Ill give that person a super hunter trophy. Sitting up in a tree covered in piss and sniping a deer with a bigass gun is no sport. Most of those people are drinking or doing drugs while "hunting" anyway. Thats a wonderful combo!!!! Idiot+substances+gun= Sportsman?? I dont think so.
I have lots of friends that hunt, and ive told them the same things.

I personally feel that guns have become so much of the culture that the damage has been done. Now we got little jackass kids joining the military because the "killed dem towelheadz in dat video game".

Oh well, this is all just my opinion. I wish everything was peaceful. I wish the murdering would stop. I believe in a world that doesnt need to rely on how fast they can kill another person. As it turns out, the world I think of is imaginary. Its sickening.

[LHSL]

Keith,

First, I think you should do some research. Yes, the United States does have one of the highest (if not thee highest) gun death rates per capita and overall gun deaths too. That said, there are countries with a similar proliferation of weapons that have nearly zero gun deaths per year.

Interestingly, the US has one of the highest incarceration rates among industrialized countries. Maybe we are just a meaner/crazier society. Our ancestors did leave the homeland to cross a huge ocean of water in a wooden ship about 100 years after they found out, "oh yeah the world isn't flat." Maybe a little crazy is what it takes to do that. If that's the case, all the more reason for us to be allowed to protect ourselves.

I mention our rank in gun deaths per capita and the incarceration levels because there have been studies of similar countries with just as many guns or more, and most of the behavioral psychologists and sociologist people believe the guns have nothing to do with it. It's something in our culture that causes people to want to kill other people.

Regarding your point on where it stops: rocket launchers, hand grenades, lasers, etc. I hear these arguments a lot. I mean first off, let's consider a rocket launcher vs gun scenario. You have a rocket launcher, I have a gun. While the rocket launcher can kill me from a distance so can my gun. There is some fear of Mutually Assured Destruction. That may deter you from using your rocket launcher. If you don't care about dying, then you are a suicidal maniac, and would use any means possible to kill people like a bomb strapped to your body under a coat.

Suicide bomber or rocket launcher... hmmm which would I rather go up against? At least with the rocket launcher, you can see it coming and possibly defend yourself. I'd much rather our bad guys have easy access to very visible weapons than ones that are totally undetectable like a body bomb or suitcase bomb, because if easy weapons are not available, they will go to great lengths to make their own. I mean, they already do.

As for grenades? Go ahead, throw a grenade at me... I'll just run towards you with my gun. I mean grenades only work well if the target is pinned down by cover fire.

Finally, let's hypothesize a little. Let's say we ban all firearms. Destroy all the gun making plants in the United States. Hell, let's say we send out the 12th mountain division to scour the globe and destroy all gun manufacturers and then order the UN to revoke gun rights around the world and then they confiscate them. The bad guys can still build guns. Sure, they might not be as sophisticated... but in today's modern world you can acquire machinery to fabricate the parts, or hell make them on your own. Additionally, there are still knives. Someone could still come into your school board meeting and stab you in the neck. Confiscate knifes you say? OK, they'll start using forks to kill. No forks? Fine, they'll use ball point pens or sharpened sticks.

My last point. If anyone, anywhere thinks that the world is not a safer place than it was 1000, 500, or 100 years ago.... Get bent. Life expectancy is longer; it's much safer, period. Anyone born today has a much better shot at making it through life unscathed than anyone from 1910. That's with all the guns, all the "terrorism," all the texting while driving, all the drunk drivers, all the drugs, sex and rock and roll. The WORLD IS SAFER.

Keith, there is a lot of crazy out there. Don't be afraid of it. Don't be terrorized. If you think crazy might hurt you, take responsibility for you and your family and learn how to defend yourself or at least quit complaining. Please. The world ain't gonna change just for you.

[bassist_25]

and most of the behavioral psychologists and sociologist people believe the guns have nothing to do with it. It's something in our culture that causes people to want to kill other people.

The most strict behavioral psychologists aren't going to be mentioning anything about culture. Those working from a social cognitive theory perspective may look at how people model and internalize cultural cues. Regarding the sociologists, many symbolic interactionists may point to culture as a reason for violence; however, while the structural functionalists aren't going to ignore culture, culture is probably not the etiology of the issue in their theroetical models.

It's difficult to state that "most" scientists agree on something without an exhuastive lit review with a meta-analysis.

[KeithReynolds]

Keith, there is a lot of crazy out there. Don't be afraid of it. Don't be terrorized. If you think crazy might hurt you, take responsibility for you and your family and learn how to defend yourself or at least quit complaining. Please. The world ain't gonna change just for you.

Im not scared of anyone sir. Gun or not. Ive had a gun pulled on me 3 seperate times. Im still here arent I?
One was a group of fine gangsta gentlemen in perfect sideways shot form, the other was some crazed moron with a shotgun trying to impress his friend, and the other was a guy who ripped me off and thought pulling a gun would make me leave. I didnt leave and he ended up calling the cops saying I HAD THE GUN. All 100% true.
With my posts, I was playing devil's advocate while inserting my opinions. Fighting violence with violence just creates more violence.
I dont want the world to change...its far too gone. I just dream of a better world. Whats the harm in that?


LHSL- You talk about life expectancy being longer now. That has nothing to do with guns. People live longer now because of medical advancements. Its SAFER because of modern medicine. People arent dying of simple diseases and such anymore. Breaking a limb doesnt have the same death risks it used to have. Also, laws have helped raise life expectancy. Health codes and stuff like that make it so people have to use things like respirators and suits to do jobs that 100 years ago, was done with nothing, Thats just one example. Is the world safer? hell no, we just have better meds now that lower the death rate. I think im gonna get bent tonight on your suggestion. As soon as I figure out what "bent" is.

[LHSL]

LHSL- You talk about life expectancy being longer now. That has nothing to do with guns. People live longer now because of medical advancements. Its SAFER because of modern medicine. People arent dying of simple diseases and such anymore. Breaking a limb doesnt have the same death risks it used to have. Also, laws have helped raise life expectancy. Health codes and stuff like that make it so people have to use things like respirators and suits to do jobs that 100 years ago, was done with nothing, Thats just one example. Is the world safer? hell no, we just have better meds now that lower the death rate. I think im gonna get bent tonight on your suggestion. As soon as I figure out what "bent" is.

I never claimed we were safer because of guns. I'm saying your chances of living to old age are better than ever... quit yer complaining. To get technical about it, most of the advances in modern medicine have made minimal impact on over all life expectancy... what's the the biggest factor? Sanitary conditions and lower infant mortality rate, much lower. If you look at the life expencancy for those aged 25 and older that actually hasn't changed all that much.

Anyway, the point is... more people live longer (per capita) than did in the past.

And as far as peace goes... you can't tell me that (even with the current wars) that our age is not more peaceful than WWI WWII, the hundred years war, the 30 years war, the times of barbarian hoardes, Roman conquest, Napoleanic conquests, the Crusades or otherwise.

[LHSL]

and most of the behavioral psychologists and sociologist people believe the guns have nothing to do with it. It's something in our culture that causes people to want to kill other people.

The most strict behavioral psychologists aren't going to be mentioning anything about culture. Those working from a social cognitive theory perspective may look at how people model and internalize cultural cues. Regarding the sociologists, many symbolic interactionists may point to culture as a reason for violence; however, while the structural functionalists aren't going to ignore culture, culture is probably not the etiology of the issue in their theroetical models.

It's difficult to state that "most" scientists agree on something without an exhuastive lit review with a meta-analysis.

You can be Mr. Semantics if you want, but the facts change not. You can't draw conclusions about the proliferation of firearms and there use in violent crime.

[KeithReynolds]

Im not complaining, just offering an opinion. You see it as complaining because it differs from your opinion, and thats cool. I get it.

To say that medicine hasnt had an impact on life expectancy is just...well you know.

I dont think anything is more peaceful now than it was before. You realize theres a world outside of PA right? In other countries, theres alllll sorts of wars. Shit, we've been killing massive amounts of people in other countries for almost 10 years now for NO REASON. Thats just one example. Theres many more examples, but im just using that one right now. Everything is just more systematic now. Instead of raiding towns and burning them to the ground, rockets and bombs are used now.

The only reason that I see that someone would say things are more peaceful now, is because nothing is happening to the US right at this minute.
In alot of other countries, theres mass violence EVERY DAY. It doesnt matter to people here because its not here. Out of sight, out of mind. Thats no way to be.

[Colton]

With the most southern draw imaginable... "Nice shoot'n Tex"

[mjb]

I don't think theres any such thing as the 12th mountain division. i think you may have ment the 10th mountain division. just sayin, since you're calling people out on facts.






carry on.

[Colton]

I'm a redneck and I love my guns. All of them. But they only ever go into the woods or the range...

[LHSL]

Im not complaining, just offering an opinion. You see it as complaining because it differs from your opinion, and thats cool. I get it.

You stated that you don't want to change the world, you're just dreaming of a more peaceful world. I'm hear to tell you that it is more peaceful than ever, so you are dreaming (out loud in a forum) so sorry, yes you are complaining.

To say that medicine hasnt had an impact on life expectancy is just...well you know.

That's not what I said. You inferred an extreme point from my statement that medicine has had *minimal* impact on life expectancy. Medicine has had major impact on the life expectancy of the sick, but not the general population. Otherwise healthy individuals live longer due to better sanitary conditions which have led to lower infant mortality rates and a better chance of making it past adolescence.

I dont think anything is more peaceful now than it was before. You realize theres a world outside of PA right? In other countries, theres alllll sorts of wars. Shit, we've been killing massive amounts of people in other countries for almost 10 years now for NO REASON. Thats just one example. Theres many more examples, but im just using that one right now. Everything is just more systematic now. Instead of raiding towns and burning them to the ground, rockets and bombs are used now.

The only reason that I see that someone would say things are more peaceful now, is because nothing is happening to the US right at this minute.
In alot of other countries, theres mass violence EVERY DAY. It doesnt matter to people here because its not here. Out of sight, out of mind. Thats no way to be.

You know why we are fighting those wars? Because people like you DO NOT FEEL SAFE and want something done about "terrorism."

People want to "feel" safe. They could care less if they actually are safe.

For instance, did you know that in any given year of an average American's life that there is a 1:400,000 shot at dying while traveling on an airline.

Know what that is for an automobile? 1:6800. Nearly two magnitudes more of a chance in a car.

Now, let's say a commercial US flight was hijacked once a week all year and blown up in the sky. Guess what your chances increase to... 1:135000. Still nearly 20 times less likely to die in a plane crash. Yet, we let the TSA grope grandma and violate our 4th amendment rights.

[RobTheDrummer]

People will kill people regardless of the method. Guns are just easier and people are lazy.

[KeithReynolds]

LHSL- Dont count me in with people who dont feel safe, please. I feel safe as ever. Dont see anyone bothering me do you? Nope. Im safe.
Im 110% AGAINST war, so you are wrong AGAIN.
Im totally against the searches too btw. I thinks its wrong. See youre lumping me in with the scared masses that need big bro to defend them. Im not that at all....but youre right...everything you say is right. Maybe with some time, patience and courage..I could one day be as enlightened as you are. Until then, I will continue bending.

Seriously though, we could go back and forth until next month. I really have no interest to do that. I really dont wanna pull up stats, graphs and pie charts to debate on rockpage about this. Even with my miserable life, I have better things to do with my time.

If you really prefer to keep having a debate about it, we certainly can I guess. Ill just have to find my graph paper.

[todd17063]

Ok first of all the comment about "rednecks" hunting deer all doped up or drunk.... I hunt and that comment is just a stereotype, that is just retarded.. That would be the same as saying all the Metal Heads of the world wear tights and do drugs and are drunks.. Yes I hunt deer with a gun... Yes I hunt deer with a bow hell I even hunt deer with a flintlock like our ancestors did ! Owning a gun is our right just like its your right to post opinions of your own even though they are uneducated and just ignorant.....Oh and just so you know my guns stay locked up and unloaded in my home and if i need to protect my home..forget the gun I have a ball bat that reloads quicker than any gun. !!

[bassist_25]

You can be Mr. Semantics if you want, but the facts change not. You can't draw conclusions about the proliferation of firearms and there use in violent crime.

Didn't you try and make a blanket statement about social scientists agreeing on cultural factors being the explanation for violence? Reductionist explanations often don't deduce the variables of real world social phenomena. To begin to get at least an overview of something as complicated as violence requires to jump head first into the literature. I would question the internal validity of any study that reduced something as complicated as violence down to a single set of variables.

Call it semantics if you wish, but the axiomatic assumptions of any scientific paradigm are going to lead to varying conclusions about the theoritical model and etiology of a specific topic. You said most sociologists agree about something having to do with the culture and violence. Ask a structural functionalist, a conflict theorist, a symbolic interactionist, and a post-modernist about violence, and they'll all give you an answer that's different but isn't necessarily wrong. With all due respect, if you think that epistemological absolutism exists in the social sciences, then you have much to learn about social science.