to notice that the killings in the USA

[butisthismyname]

Are HUGE NEWS, but the children who are being shot and killed every day in syria, the children who live on the streets and die every day in south america and the children who are dying in third world countries are 'part of the furniture'? I know what has just happened is horrific and sad and awful, but it's just so fucking unfair. It's like the twin towers - OMG the USA is in trouble, lets be outraged ( not negating that but just an example) When will we be as understanding and sympathetic and make what is happening everywhere else in the world as important and newsworthy as this?

Yes, flipp. I think it gets confused with the quote that there are x number of guns for every x number of people in the US. It's not that everyone owns one, it's that people who own one often have more than one. Some, of course, have many more than one. The shooter's mum owned 5.

flippinada Just in case it helps.... re gun laws.

The Law:

The federal government, through the Interim Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, in place from 1993 to 1998, established a five-day waiting period for the purchase of a firearm. In 1998, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. §921-922) updated the Interim Brady Law, replacing the five day waiting period and the mandatory background check conducted by law enforcement officials with an instant computerized background check that typically takes a few seconds (but may take up to three days). Some states have implemented longer waiting periods; for example, California?s waiting period is 10 days (Cal. Penal Code §§ 12071(b)(3)(A), 12072(c)(1)) and New York?s waiting period can be up to six months (NY PEN § 400.00(4-a)). The aim of waiting periods is to allow time to complete background checks on the purchaser and to provide time for individuals with impulsive violent intentions to ?cool off.?

As far as federal law vs state laws, it can sometimes get complicated, depending on the subject matter. But an simplistic overview:

The United States Constitution provides for a federal government that is superior to state governments in such matters as the authority to govern international affairs, national defense, and currency-related issues. The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes the Bill of Rights applicable to each of the states. Federal law governs such things as legislation passed by the U.S. Congress, executive orders of the President, and decisions of federal courts that interpret the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court is the final arbiter of federal law. Federal laws are codified in the U.S. Code.
State law, on the other hand, is the law that governs in each separate state. State laws are passed by state legislatures and signed by a state?s governor. State law exists in conjunction with?and sometimes in conflict with?federal law. When conflicts occur, it is the federal courts that resolve the issues.

Thanks ChristmasTreegles. I remember a little of that from when I studied politics, many years ago.

GreenEggs - makes you think about the "gun nut" stereotype doesn't it.

Whether the US like it or not the world is watching them. This is their opportunity to show real balls and tackle this madness whatever it takes.