Orlando shooting/The non gun debate

[Drich]

I've lived in Orlando all my life, and I can't decide if I'm just numb or disaffected. I know what most of you would say, but after 9/11 I did feel the impact of those events. even the Oklahoma city bombing felt different. This happened less than 10 mins from my church and honestly it feels like another news story. I am not suprise at the reaction or scale of reaction from the surrounding communities and the well wishing across the world, but again it's what you kinda expect from a 'news story of this type and scale.

And, before the haters say that I was rooting for the shooter or I think those people got what they deserve, I don't. It is a really bad thing for any one to shoot up a crowd of people period.

I'm not the only one here who thinks this way. Most people I've spoken who live here, have a similar view, in that it was a terrible thing, but like me tend to see this as another news story. I've even asked others what it had been disney or one of the other parks, and the reaction does indeed change at the thought of little children being caught in the cross fire, but this is all very different. Maybe it is because of the speed and willingness the news and politicians are willing to use this event to cash in or spread their views. (Like how quickly the other orlando thread turned into a gun debate) Idk..

So Im posting this to see what you all honestly feel. is this just another news item tailor made for the up comming election or is there/should their be a 9-11 feel to this?

[Kingpin]

Great topic Drich and I will answer your question and say that it is both. This was an act of terror by a person who was unstable and sympathized with a radical idealogy in an attempt to feel validation. There are a lot of issues at play here and all can be debated until the end of time I'm sure. I've heard all the angles, "it's a gun issue", "it's a homosexual issue", "it's a mental health issue" and to be honest it's probably all.

Bottom line is there is LITTLE anyone can do to prevent these things. We can do our best to mitigate the damages, but preventing entirely is a near impossibility. Unstable people who have an agenda to mass murder without remorse will find a way. If it wasn't guns, it would be homemade bombs or knives or whatever their sadistic minds could come up with. Look at the Tsarnaev's in Boston for example.

I'm with you on feeling a bit numb Drich. I'm in Detroit and literally every week there are stories of shootings, we've lost 5 kids under 10 years old this year to shootings in Detroit. But the violence is so common place it loses its shock. The media does not help and to further complicate things, we are a generation of smartphones and instant news so this is around the world in about 10 minutes. Yes the media puts their spin on things and politicians play the angles because when it comes down to it, every story becomes a game of what THEY can get out of it to further themselves.

I've got a lot to say on this topic but I will refrain for now.

[Drich]

So long as it is not about guns speak your mind. Maybe I'll be able to find my own perspective in something you said.

[dyresand]

This was a act of terror and bigotry hell the police prevented another mass shooting as well recently.
So take away everyone's guns no it should be that gun regulation as it stands is a complete failure and needs to be dramatically overhauled.
The fact being a mentally unstable person can get a gun and also one that has a been investigated and been visited by the FBI should not
be able to get a weapon. A lot more needs to be done in this country to prevent the mentally unstable from getting a gun and the other thing
the whole FBI thing should be enough for any responsible gun seller to say no. Getting a gun as it stands needs to be tougher and prevent
people who want to cause harm with a firearm.

[abaris]

It's not about a non gun debate, Drich. It's about a controlled gun ownership debate.

Noone can answer me why everyone should have access to an assault rifle, just to give one example. It's in the nature of these pieces to deal out more damage in a shorter period of time than any handgun. It's also about not every idiot having access to a deadly weapon. According to news coverage, this guy was already on the radar. Why someone like that could purchase his gun is beyond me.

[Kingpin]

It's not about a non gun debate, Drich. It's about a controlled gun ownership debate.

Noone can answer me why everyone should have access to an assault rifle, just to give one example. It's in the nature of these pieces to deal out more damage in a shorter period of time than any handgun. It's also about not every idiot having access to a deadly weapon. According to news coverage, this guy was already on the radar. Why someone like that could purchase his gun is beyond me.

Abaris, I will answer you.  NO civilian should have access to an assault rifle.  There is NO justified use case for such a weapon.  Also, we are asking the same questions about how a man who has been on the radar was allowed to legally purchase weapons.

[Silver]

I similarly feel disconnected from the event when it is an act of terror inside a church or school building.

[abaris]

Abaris, I will answer you.  NO civilian should have access to an assault rifle.  There is NO justified use case for such a weapon.  Also, we are asking the same questions about how a man who has been on the radar was allowed to legally purchase weapons.

Nice to have you back, by the way. Hope things are getting back to being bearable. I don't dare say normal, after what you have been going through.

[Kingpin]

Abaris, I will answer you.  NO civilian should have access to an assault rifle.  There is NO justified use case for such a weapon.  Also, we are asking the same questions about how a man who has been on the radar was allowed to legally purchase weapons.

Nice to have you back, by the way. Hope things are getting back to being bearable. I don't dare say normal, after what you have been going through.

Bearable is a good word as "normal" can be a very fluid concept.  

I had to take care of quite a bit (and still doing so) but it is my duty and I accept it but I wouldn't be back if I didn't have the time.  Glad to be back, I've missed you guys.  

[Minimalist]

So long as it is not about guns speak your mind. Maybe I'll be able to find my own perspective in something you said.

Now you sound like the NRA, dripshit.