February 17, 2008 -
In the wake of Thursday's tragic shooting at Northen Illinois University, a state legislator was quick to defend guns while attempting to shift blame for the rampage to other targets - including video games.As reported by the Chicago Daily Herald, Rep. Robert Pritchard (R), whose legislative district includes the NIU campus, said:
[Gun control] doesn't seem to impact the kind of gun violence that goes on. I think we need to broaden the discussion to include what other factors are weighing on these kind of deranged individuals.
I think video games is a part of the problem, television, movies. Just a whole culture of violence.
Comments
in response to
"I realize that those of you who live in Europe don’t agree with our second ammendment rights but that’s really beside the point. In our country a citizen has the inalliable right to keep and bear arms. We have that as a means of protecting our families and homes against violent intruders and other threats to our liberties. The right to own a gun isn’t what caused this man to go on a killing spree and I’m getting sick of hearing that arguement. "
Very well. but if you keep on doing what you've always done , you'll keep on getting what you've always gotten. Like people have pointed out, in this case Guns werent the major issue, it was a mentally ill student. but had he not had second ammendment rights, then perhaps he wouldnt have had a gun to kill people, it IS a contributing factor.
like i said , people had a RIGHT to have slaves. does that mean it is right? no. history clearly tells us that sometimes rights bestowed upon a nation decay with the passing of time until they arrive at a time and place so dissimilar to that originally envisaged , that the nation decides that the rights should be changed.
Im not saying for a fact that time has now, i can see it is a very multi dimensional intricate debate. All im saying is dont turn round n say we CANT discuss it because you have a RIGHT. rights can (do and will) be examined from time to time. and i dont think thats a bad thing.
''I still don’t think that we should have strict gun control laws, they just don’t work. Besides, politicians already want the UK’s rating system over here on video games, and we all know how that works, don’t we?
We don’t want to go that same route with gun control.
''
like ive already said. check out gun crime rates FACTUALLY in the uk and tell me strict gun controls do absolutely nothing to reduce gun crime.
Also it helps if gun stores do background checks... hmm 'a guy with a history of mental disorders, should we sell him a firearm? Aw why the hell not? Its not like he could hurt anyone or anything... oh wait.'
really agree with your point of view there mate
well said!
*sigh*
"it doesnt work with guns"
um perhaps you misread... ill try again. try comparing the gun crime rates of the UK with the US and tell me it doesnt work. (and by 'work' i dont mean eradicate, i mean has a noticeable effect)
Honestly though, just outright banning guns still isn't going to work, the old phrase, criminals are going to get guns no matter what sticks.
Completely agree. In fact, in some of these schools, it should be required that all teachers carry guns. But they will never do that because these people think backwards.
still i have to agree with wheelchairman2 . Like i said, i wasnt saying take away everyones rights, i was just saying perhaps they need to be enforced better. I cant see any argument against background checks and refusal of sale to those with mental health problems (if they could indicate a propensity toward violence).
it still makes it harder. Its still an obstacle in their path. I mean tell you what, just because terrorists can get hold of bombs anyway do we just stop doing checks and restrictions on who gets hold of dangerous chemicals?
yeah he would have used something else no doubt. but if i was at that school that day i would have preferred him to have a knife to a pair of guns anyday.
I'm a proud gun owner, and would never turn them on a human being (unless said human being was breaking into my house).
Someone above suggested that someone with past psychiatric problems should be banned from buying a gun. I concur with this wholeheartedly.
If a law of this sort had been in place AND been properly enforced, this horrible tragedy and the V-Tech shooting might very well have not happened.
That is all.
I was going to make a video called "Bias: Slanted, Screwed up, & Stupid"
But my video editor stopped working so I could not do it. I was going to go through everything.
But I'm all for taking action, and standing up for my rights. But the thing is, we need someone to rally us together. If gaming politics or ECA or anything, gave these peoples emails out, we would right them. After all,Michael savage dubai ports deal
there are other ways besides violence my friend. "
Yes I have heard of Ghandi, but do you really think that would work nowadays, I mean it certainly worked for the hippies in getting us out of vietnam and making marijuana legal didn't it.
Oh and it doesn't happen very often but that doesn't mean it Can't happen, if history repeats itself it will happen again and if the government was about to turn tyrannical do you really think it would give us our guns back? I can't fathom them doing that.
2600 DeKalb Ave.
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 748-3494 - phone
(815) 748-4630 - fax
bob@PritchardStateRep.com
Springfield Office
200 3-N Stratton
Office Bldg.
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0425 - phone
(217) 558-1274 - fax
pierceyj@housegopmail.state.il.us
Website: http://www.pritchardstaterep.com/contacts.htm
More on this at 11. Translation: I'll talk more about it when I feel like it.
@Cidas
I was going to make a video called “Bias: Slanted, Screwed up, & Stupid”
But my video editor stopped working so I could not do it. I was going to go through everything.
But I’m all for taking action, and standing up for my rights. But the thing is, we need someone to rally us together. If gaming politics or ECA or anything, gave these peoples emails out, we would right them. After all,Michael savage of the savage nation radio show, got everyone to rally and email and call the people responsible for the dubai ports deal. IF anyone of you don't know what that is..its not good.
Any way, there phones went down because of all the calls, and the deal never went through. It does not matter if you like, love, or hate savage, the point is he knows how to rally everyone together and get things done. Thats what we need to do.
I don't think it's the policy of the ECA or Gamepolitics to post emails on thier front page, because of people like Jack Thompson.
I will be sending an email as soon as I get back...
"Guns, if not purchased for hunting, are purchased with no other purpose than to kill or injure another human being which contradicts many countries (US, Canada, UK) other laws and beliefs. "
BULLSHIT!
Have you not heard of firing ranges? Have you never seen the mytybusters? Wouldn't certain guns (like the tommy gun) be classified as an antique? Having a gun with you can make an ugly situation (like a mugging) much better. I remember hearing about a bank robber who did all his burglaries with an unloaded shotgun. Now imagine pointing an unloaded gun at a criminal asking for your money (a criminal armed with a knife) there's a good chance the criminal will run away or do what you ask if he thinks the gun is loaded.
"as far as I am concerned, unless you live under a constant state of attack you do not need a weapon; like a gun, for self defense."
Under that logic I can say "unless you live under a constant state of attack you do not nead house insurance".
"If you truly feel your government is going to go haywire and you are going to need to defend yourself from them, leave your country,"
No I'd rather stay and defend democracy, it's what our founding fathers would've done.
Oh and I don't subscribe to the philosophy that if you don't like your country you should leave it. Can't I stay and make it better?
*You* may not know where to get a gun in the UK, but the criminal apparently have no problem finding them. Since all legally owned handguns were banned and confiscated there in 1997, the rate of handgun shootings has tripled. Yes, the rate is lower than the US, but it was even less BEFORE the ban.
As for the US being more violent, um, actually, your overall violent crime rate is about seven times higher. Last set of complete numbers I checked was for '05 or '06, and the FBI reported just ~1.3 million violent crimes. Where as Home Office reported something like 2.5 million violent crimes in England and Wales . Considering the US population is five to six times larger, the per-capita difference is staggering. Furthermore, the UN considers Scotland the most violent country in the developed world.
Yes, we have a higher murder rate, but that's true even if you ignore firearm related deaths. There are about four times as many stabbing deaths here, and roughly twice as many people punched and kicked to death. Unless we were to ban hands, feet, and all sharp objects, that is unlikely to change.
So, on one hand, there is less violent crime here in general. But on the other, it is more likely to be fatal when it does happen. It could be argued that either A: our criminals are just more "efficient" (for lack of a better, less cynical term), or B: the fact that nearly two-thirds of all homicides involve violent criminals killing other violent criminals (in no small part due to the drug black market), thereby reducing the overall crime rate by limiting recidivism.
Then of course there's the fact that armed civilians defend themselves against (or otherwise prevent) crimes an estimated 708,000+ times per year..
Tough choice, nanny state vs. Big Brother hmmmmmm. I think I'll stick with Big Brother since at least he can actually prevent crimes whilst the nanny state will just do nothing.
Although this is a fight that I could probably host in Vegas and sell tickets.
“Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.”
He didn't lead a peaceful rebellion by choice. That was just the only choice left after they myopically laid down their arms..
America has a HUGE amount of firearms already distributed across it's population, not to mention legit gunshops, illegal ventures and what not.
A gun ban would have little effect, as while the occasional dogooder would probably relinguish his weapons(), the not-so-law friendly people wouldn't give two peanut-decorated lumps.
So, in effect, a gun ban would only slightly lessen the amount of responsible gun-owners, and embolden the illegitimate gun-owners, thus making gun-violence spike, then gradually drop over the next 20 or so years.
Same thing happened in England.
HOWEVER, countries with a low spread of firearms across it's population wouldn't find any noticable difference if a gun-ban was introduced, and would see a drop of gun-including crime over the following decades.
And wouldn't that mean that lack of gun regulations would be the culprit and not video games?
"Have you not heard of firing ranges? Have you never seen the mytybusters? Wouldn’t certain guns (like the tommy gun) be classified as an antique?"
Antiques are the only factor I am going to give you in this lovely scenario. Assuming the antiques are not able to fire and are in no way able to be used to harm another living creature. Firing ranges exist to allow people to practice their gun skills, and unless hunting, what are you really shooting? I mean really.. are you using your gun to shoot the side of a barn. No, you keep it so if someone threatens you, you can better shoot them. In a world with stronger gun control no one would have to worry about the threat of shooting another or being shot.
"Now imagine pointing an unloaded gun at a criminal asking for your money (a criminal armed with a knife) there’s a good chance the criminal will run away or do what you ask if he thinks the gun is loaded."
This reads to me that you are brining an unloaded weapon into a public setting where you are going to get mugged. If you are not putting yourself in a situation where you will be mugged, you won't need to carry a gun, because bringing a gun into a public place, loaded or not, is not smart. Also, I would think that is someone has a nice and want to rob you they are just going to go for you. They are not going to do a little dance and give you a chance to defend. That is what robbers do in movies. It ads drama. In the real world if you are in a dark ally and someone wants your money, they will stab you and take it and your unloaded gun will just be questioned by the cops when looking over your dead body.
"Under that logic I can say “unless you live under a constant state of attack you do not nead house insurance”."
Everyone is clawing for those guns that protect your house from natural disaster and electrical fires. I know I am!
"No I’d rather stay and defend democracy, it’s what our founding fathers would’ve done.
Oh and I don’t subscribe to the philosophy that if you don’t like your country you should leave it. Can’t I stay and make it better?"
What democracy are you trying to defend exactly? How and with what army? Do you really live in a country where you have a fear of your government making a complete 360? I mean, I understand Bush has screwed up and 9/11 could have been completely staged and we never really know what the government is planning. But you're planning for your little gun to do what exactly? Enough free minded people in the well civilized countries of this world are in, relativity the same mind set as you. I am Canadian, and I know that if my government turned around and said "We are taking away your liberties and freedoms, we are attacking our countries allies and you are joining" I would not be the only person to say "wait.. what?" and go up in arms to start and uprising and keep my own civil liberties and rights. Any personal weapon I have will not come in to play because I doubt as a 22 year old animation student, the government will be busting down my doors and threatening my own person. You cannot honestly tell me that if you do have your own gun, the reason you have it is too 'defend democracy from your own government' because your gun is not helping in that situation. There will more than likely never be a call to arms to fight the politicians.
I would honestly stay to make my country better, but with the amount of control some governments have, there are probably many places in the world that could be safer for me if my freedoms came in to question. Being trigger happy to defend myself from some crazy right wing government official is no mentality i condone, but to each their own.
It wouldn't reduce these kinds of attacks. Even in countries where firearms are completely illegal, shootings still occur. If people really want/need something, regardless of legality, they will get it.
The NIU nutjob bought some mags from the same place as the VT loon. The website is the top search result for 'glock accessories,' so it's not really saying much.
As for the background check stuff, the NRA supported the law in '68 banning purchases by crazy people, the Brady background check law (after the waiting periods were removed from it anyway), and they practically wrote the recent background check "improvement" act. These compromises have earned them the nickname of "Negotiating Rights Away" from some in the pro-gun community. A main reason none of this works is because certain medical/psychiatric lobbyist groups consistently block adding mental health records to the Federal database on grounds of doctor-patient confidentiality..
@jcoit
So, umm, shooting ranges are only for practicing murder then? That's funny, I could have sworn target shooting was an Olympic sport. And I suppose the tens of thousands of other pistol, rifle, and shotgun competitions held every year are my imagination too?
Well, from the way things are going in the US, people may start over throwing the government if things don't shape up by the next prez. Its seriously getting bad, very bad.
Disclaimer:
The opinion's expressed in this post are not necessarily the opinions of Smoking gun. Nothing expressed in this post is to be used against him in any way shape or form.
I legally own a .22 caliber rifle, that I would never even think of turning on another human being.
The reason I shoot is because it is FUN.
I shoot smallbore silhouette, on of many competitive shooting sports that many participate in,
and never shoot anyone.
Why on earth would you subscribe to the idea that the only things a gun can be used for is killing, especially when such an argument rings false.
"I would like to point out, and apologize that I may have been a bit hasty with that analysis. Guns used for hunting and other said sporting events should be allowed. If kept for “protection” or for eventually being turned on another human being have no cause or need in this world, unless you live under a constant state of serious attack."
Do Muslims shouting "Death to America" count?
It just wouldn't be a nationally publicized shooting without all this extra shit.
Maybe they need to elect an official who will make some serious positive changes. Get their heads out of Survivor and the Simple Life for 5 minutes and make an educated decision about the individual they choose to be the face of their people. Someone who will not lead the U.S. into a mind set where they are living in a state of threat. If you are not protecting themselves from "terrorists" then they are protecting themselves from their own government. Is that really democracy?
Printed without permission from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/17/shooter.girlfriend/index.html
"Police confiscated several items. Among them was a copy of Friedrich Nietzsche's "The Antichrist" which Kazmierczak sent to Baty after the shooting. The police also took Kazmierczak's copy of the "Encyclopedia of Serial Killers."
Obviously, we have to prevent the perverse ramblings of a godless author from getting in to our malleable childrens minds.
Hey while i'm at it, has anyone mentioned the angle that changing your dose, eating the wrong foods, prolonged use, and esp. going cold turkey is documented to cause psychotic and suicidal behavior amongst Prozac users?
My apologies. I just made note of my hasty remark and that if being used for sporting activities guns should be acceptable, but cautiously regulated. I personally feel (a matter of opinion) that a gun's main purpose is for negative attacks. It is generally why people purchase them. It is nice that you have taken a smart approach to your gun ownership and would never intend to turn it on another individual.
@ Smoking gun
It depends, are they knocking at your door and have you alerted proper authorities? If they are shouting it from another country, it is not an slight against you, it is an attack on your country which is a result of negative choices made by your country in the first place.
haha.
http://www.pritchardstaterep.com/contacts.htm