Virginia Tech

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yuppers here: Quote:One law enforcement official said Cho's backpack contained a receipt for a March purchase of a Glock 9 mm pistol. Cho held a green card, meaning he was a legal, permanent resident, federal officials said. That meant he was eligible to buy a handgun unless he had been convicted of a felony. Which I found in this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070417/ap_on_re_us/virginia_tech_shooting

CNN is still saying this: Quote:A source familiar with the investigation said the weapons found at Norris were a Walther .22-caliber semi-automatic and a 9 mm Glock -- both with the serial numbers filed off. (Watch how quickly these guns can be fired, reloaded ) http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/17/vtech.shooting/index.html

Yeah yahoo is also saying the serial numbers were filed off. Just makes ya wonder if he bought the Glock why he filed the serial number off, unless he was expecting to get away with the kill spree and sell the gun afterwards.(maybe I watch too many cop shows lol)

OMG, that is exactly what I was thinking! I mean, why else would someone file off the numbers of thier own gun??

I agree mostly.But, I add the following.The bad guys are gonna get the guns no matter how hard you try to make it. It may prevent some killing sprees, but those that happen will be much worse. It's like that saying a person with a gun is a citizen a person without is a subject. I believe we should quit trying to increase gun control and start relaxing it. That way when someone decides to go crazy they get neutralized before the cops have time to show up and shortening the time the killer has to well kill. Kinda like what happen during the cold war(I think it was that war) the reason the U.S. and USSR did not go to war "officially" was both sides knew that if one used a nuke they would get it dished back at themselves.Just like if a gunman knows that he will effectively be engaging in a two way battle vs. an one-way killing spree he may not even decide to do it, because the attention and fame just won't be as great. (i.e. won't be able to kill as many people)

It's a shame there isn't a middle ground between US and Canadian policies on firearms usage. A solid, standard thing would be a mandatory safety course (Designed by the Federal Government, run by private citizens/corporations) Here in Canada need to take a two day, very intense firearms safety course; they are usually small groups of 10-15 shooters who take classroom and practical tests and is lead by a regular hunter/target shooter who is certified by the Federal Government to teach the course.The most important thing, would be mandatory storage conditions. IE: You must have a trigger lock on all guns, or have them in a REAL locked box/safe, and cannot be kept loaded. A great deal of guns are stolen because of improper storage.Lastly, there has to be an attitude change on the ownership and use of guns. Every time I hear someone say "I keep to a gun to shoot trespassers/robbers" etc...I cringe (Not only because of the hickness of that comment, but also the fact that the person will be totally incompetent if they don't regularly use their firearm) Statements like that are the SOLE fuel for the entire anti-gun lobbyI have firearms myself, but I'm a target shooter...I compete, and I'm part of a club of people who have the same hobby; some are hunters too. I guess the point is, owning a gun and not participating in a sport is like owning a car and never driving it.I've had the disadvantage to see VERY ignorant comments on other message boards, including one uniformed ass blaming the Prime Minister of Canada for the shooting (yes, for something that happened in the USA) I'm very VERY proud of everyone here keeping this discussion mature, objective, and informed.

Oh, so you think going back to the ways of the Wild West would be a good thing?I don't see that as the answer either. PERSONAL responsibility, is the answer. Teach it to kids, and then they will learn to make changes in their OWN life instead of blaming and maiming others for their shortcomings.

Well, the wild west really wasn't as romantic as movies portrayed it either, lol. Most of the people killed there got shot in the back, not too many good ol' showdowns.You hit the nail on the head; fight crime by being PROACTIVE (Social programs, education), rather than REACTIVE (Banning guns, putting in metal detectors, cops etc)

I have to agree with the safety course idea. I was raised with guns, I don't own one, though I often wish I did. I enjoy hunting, and sport shooting, but it isn't priority. I would have better luck clubbing some jerk in the middle of the night than I would with trying to coordinate myself to shoot!The thought of owning one to "shoot the intruder" makes me cringe as well. After all, an intruder is gonna show up mostly in the middle of the night, and even a person who uses their gun isn't gonna wake up and be aware enough to do it "properly" most of the time. And who the heck is gonna have "shoot the intruder" drills every month in the middle of the night?

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be a mandatory safety course (Designed by the Federal Government, run by private citizens/corporations) Here in Canada need to take a two day, very intense firearms safety course; they are usually small groups of 10-15 shooters who take classroom and practical tests and is lead by a regular hunter/target shooter who is certified by the Federal Government to teach the course.

I'm not exactly sure how it works here, but my brother bought a gun (legally) and he had to go through classes and safety courses before he could get a license and buy a gun.

As for the whole hick comments of shooting trespassers...I have to admit, it crosses my mind every once in awhile to buy a gun. And honestly the only reason I would want it would be to shoot an intruder. I just moved out of a double house that had a crack dealer living upstairs. Strange people came in and out of there. My ass of a boyfriend is hardly ever home at night and I have two children. It gets very scary. The ONLY reason I never bought one is because I am far more afraid of my children finding it. I may sound like a hick, but the thought has definately crossed my mind.

I have a dog (well 2 but only one that is useful..lol) One will help the guy rob me, if he gets petted, and the other one (3 months old) growls and barks. It is much more effective.

No one wants to screw with a barky dog.

yea, some stores, and municipalities require a safety course; however it should be a Federally-consistent course (To allow easier purchases across state lines) And I'm going to flip-flop a bit: I can admit that there IS an element of protection to owning a firearm, and your attitude is shared by MANY MANY people (Your children will find it) Ultimately that goes back to education too...if you teach a child about your guns, how they work, tell them the truth about how much harm they CAN cause if used improperly, as well as what to do if they find one etc; you'll honestly not have a problem.The problem is, is there is a group of people who own things, and keep their children ignorant. Frankly, that is stupid. We humans, especially our children, are REALLY curious. If they know about it, and what to do if they come across it, they'll be safe.

Pepsi, that is a bad way to think, dont say "well their gonna get one anyway, so dotn bother with a law agaisnt it", that is the wrong way to think, sure havign strict gun laws isnt a 100% solution, but you know why soemthign liek this can happen, because every jackass in america can go to wallmart and buy a 12 gauge shotgun with their new pair of shoes. I dont think you can seriously tell me that havign it harder for a person to get their hands on a gun, even legaly, is a bad thing. I agree with you in that its not just the wide availiablity of firearms, but also in the way you raise your children, things have to change

the biggest problem with gun control is that it's only the legal trade in firearms that is controlled.That's why it's only half the equasion.People who go on shooting rampages are sick and they didn't wake up that way that morning

yes i understand that, but why would a phyco bother with black markets and illegal gun purchasing when he can go to walmart? I understand that its only part of the picture, but right now, its a key part of the puzzle to limit access to firearms, even just the leagal ones, and then start busting up the illegal rackets

There are laws against drugs, but we see it everyday. There are laws against drunk driving, but we see it everyday. There are laws against molesting children, raping, hitting, and the list goes on, but it doesn't stop the ones who do it!I forgot who wrote it, that you can not break the law, only break yourself against the law...Law abiding citizens are the ones who, we need NOT worry about, the law breakers, are gonna do it either way. It's not that easy for me to get a handgun...but I know SEVERAL people who have them that shouldn't.....But that is because, I don't want one illegally..

I can have my hands on an illicit hand gun by the weekend... and I have nice friends

Where there are strict controls on guns there is of course a black market; but entry into this black market is far more difficult than, for example, getting illegal drugs, because the market is far smaller. The average disturbed individual doesn't have the contacts.

The argument that if guns are freely available then people will not go on the rampage is negated by experience. Handguns in Virginia are freely available, but none were apparently used against the gunman. Even if all the other students had been armed, the gunman had the advantage of surprise. Furthermore, since gunmen in these incidents usually shoot themselves, fear of being shot would not be an effective deterrent.

No, they may not have the contacts, so, instead, they break into a neighbors home, who they know is a hunter, and steal their guns. I still think that no matter the laws, unless respect, self-respect, and accountability is taught at home, it is going to be a growing issue.

I could too, if I wanted...There is only one gun I want my hands on right now..tsk tsk, and I can't really hurt anyone with it when it goes off!!!