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Original poster

Why can’t America ban automatic weapons?

905 replies

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 14/02/2018 22:42

I don’t get it. I honestly don’t. After Sandy Hook that should have been enough... statistics speak for themselves.

Why? What don’t I get?

OP posts:
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26
TheDowagerCuntess · 15/02/2018 16:25

All Trump has to do is send the obligatory thoughts and prayers (which he did, via Twitter, immediately ✅ ), wait a few days, and everyone will have moved on.

It's what always happens. Always. This time will be no different. Nor will any of the next mass killings.

I think we just have to leave America to get on with it. It's their choice to worship guns, and ignore their own citizens who wish it was different.

It people really cared, they'd get out and vote - Hillary, for example, made her position on gun control crystal clear. Americans don't want that, they want Trump. They have what they want.

TheDowagerCuntess · 15/02/2018 16:27

Sorry to go back to the kinder egg issue, but their banning the US isn't to do with safety, but to go with food hygiene

What do you think food hygiene is, if not a safety issue? Confused

Emmasmum2013 · 15/02/2018 16:27

@Frequency or how many people will end up dead because a student overpowered the teacher and took the gun from them?
Never go into a fight with a weapon which you would not want used against you.

LakieLady · 15/02/2018 16:29

For both S1 and S2 you need to submit a form, be interviewed by the police and agree to let the police have access to your medical records. A marker is placed on your medical records so if there are problems in future your Dr can inform the police. The police will review the security of your guns to ensure they are secure and no one else other than the licence holder has access.

And if you get into any sort of trouble with the police, your licence is likely to be revoked. Sussex police used to have, and may still have, a policy of revoking the licence of anyone convicted of drink driving, because anyone irresponsible enough to get behind the wheel of a car when pissed can't be trusted with a gun.

Emmasmum2013 · 15/02/2018 16:31

@TheDowagerCuntess
It people really cared, they'd get out and vote - Hillary, for example, made her position on gun control crystal clear. Americans don't want that, they want Trump. They have what they want.

This is what scares me the most. Despite the failings of the electoral college system to elect the person who got the most votes, there were still a huge amount of people who voted for Trump.

I'm waiting for the Mueller investigation to come to a conclusion and see what happens. If it is found that Russia did meddle with the election, I really feel sorry for the American population. I doubt anything will be done about it.

DGRossetti · 15/02/2018 16:32

And if you get into any sort of trouble with the police, your licence is likely to be revoked.

Well ...

APerfectSky · 15/02/2018 16:35

Therein lies the problem. Food hygiene is a SAFETY issue. Just like gun control is a SAFETY issue. Cant you see that? You might never see any one choking but the one time you do choke it could kill you. Same with guns

Rather than getting snippy, read what I said. Food hygiene has nothing to do with choking. 'Can't you see that?'. My whole point was that everyone who has posted here seems to be under the impression that they are banned because people might choke on the small parts. It's not. It's food hygiene to do with certain things touching the food. Completely different thing. And ok I guess technically food hygiene is a safety issue, but clearly I was trying to point out that the ban was not to do with small pieces like it was being suggested.

Exiguous · 15/02/2018 16:40

It people really cared, they'd get out and vote - Hillary, for example, made her position on gun control crystal clear. Americans don't want that, they want Trump. They have what they want.

I strongly supported Hillary for her policies including gun control, but I doubt she'd have got much done.

Newtown happened in Obama's presidency, and he still couldn't get gun control strengthened.

If we had a President, House, Senate and Supreme Court who were all willing to tackle the issue we might get somewhere.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 15/02/2018 16:42

More food for thought...
I always find it incredibly depressing that in the wake of a mass shooting, gun sales soar.

fortune.com/2018/02/15/gun-stocks-pop-again-in-aftermath-of-florida-school-shooting/

ConferencePear · 15/02/2018 16:43

I think at least part of the problem with this discussion is that so many people in the UK live in towns where guns are not generally used. In this very rural part of the country quite a few people have guns. For the most part they keep quiet about it because they know that their need for them for their work or for sport is not widely understood.

They are kept in a secure cupboards/safes and the police do occasional and unannounced checks to see that they are being properly kept and that the guns/rifles correspond to the licences held.

Perhaps the USA could start on assault weapons. Sympathetic as I am to other country dwellers I cannot understand why people need assault weapons and that might be a place for them to begin. As an aside I wonder if fewer films glorifying gun violence and death in war might change the public mood.

Biggreygoose · 15/02/2018 16:53

@lakie, all forces do. Speeding convictions are viewed similarly. If you go out and get pissed every night, even if you just fall asleep in a field, that will be viewed very dimly.

If you have a disagreement with your neighbours or an argument in a supermarket carpark you will probably have the local police popping round for a chat.

Guns are (rightly) not viewed as consumer items as they are in the states, rather a tool that should be used responsibly.

gussyfinknottle · 15/02/2018 16:56

Good post, conferencepear.

DGRossetti · 15/02/2018 17:03

It people really cared, they'd get out and vote - Hillary, for example, made her position on gun control crystal clear.

Fundamentally you have to address the 2nd amendment. That is (deliberately) difficult, but - as prohibition showed - not impossible.

As a non American (unlike my DB Smile) it's interesting that prohibition wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the women of America. In fact it's probably one of the best examples of women affecting political change in the 20th century. (If anyones interested in the documentary aspect, then Ken Burns Prohibition is well worth a watch.

BitterLittlePoster · 15/02/2018 17:11

BLP

Obviously the could have taken down the shooter.

Well yeah. But who would take down the shooter? And when? Will they wait for him to start shooting? How many kids will he have to shoot before the hero stops him? How will they know what he intends to do, try to read his mind? Or will this mythical savior shoot him just in case?

What could possibly go wrong Hmm

Or we could ban AR-15s and any "semi" automatics.

My DC's high school is locked down during the day. I think read that school was getting out for day. He could have blended in and the doors would have been open.

GnotherGnu · 15/02/2018 17:11

Kursk, how can you claim to feel safer in a country where your husband believes that he may need to use a concealed gun?

Let alone a country where a 19 year old depressed loner with a grudge, a history of threats and a fixation on guns is able to go out and buy them without any problem at all.

Exiguous · 15/02/2018 17:12

I just noticed that a lot of state constitutions also enshrine into law the right to bear arms. Eg in Florida "The legislature of the State of Florida, in a declaration of policy incorporated in its “Weapons and Firearms” statute, recognizes that adult citizens of the state retain their constitutional right to keep and bear firearms for hunting and sporting activities and for defense of self, family, home, and business and as collectibles."

bettythebutterfly · 15/02/2018 17:13

I just listened to Trump's speech about how 'we are there for you', 'you're not alone' and his tweet earlier warned us to look out for the warning signs.

I'd say an 18 year old walking into a store and buying a gun capable of killing people efficiently and ruthlessly is a pretty big warning sign. One that you can actually do something about.

AHungryMum · 15/02/2018 17:15

It took us (the UK) one Dunblane to work this out. How many Dunblanes do USA need to reach the same conclusion?

ToffeeUp · 15/02/2018 17:18

As the Florida senator says: 'AR-15 is not for hunting, it’s for killing'

Trump didn't even mention guns, let alone gun control.

Rinoachicken · 15/02/2018 17:19

I’m going to say it again. The sad but self evident truth is that America places more value on an individuals right to have a gun than they do on the lives of their citizens.

Julie8008 · 15/02/2018 17:26

APerfectSky I had a look on the FDA website and it explicity states why they are banned:

Import Alert 34-02 was created as the Agency was made aware of a product called "Kinder Surprise Eggs", and similar articles containing imbedded, non-nutritive objects, being offered for sale in the United States. The imbedded non-nutritive objects in these confectionary products may pose a public health risk as the consumer may unknowingly choke on the object.

Not to derail, from guns that are made to kill multiple people.

GnotherGnu · 15/02/2018 17:27

Husk, if there had been a number of people at the school carrying guns, it's just possible one of them would have shot Cruz. But think about it: you're carrying a gun and suddenly find yourself in a totally unexpected situation where all you know is that someone is shooting. You see a person with a gun, you shoot at them. It turns out that actually that is one of the "innocent" gun owners, who shoots back because, unsurprisingly, they believe that you are the gunman. And that course of events replicates itself several times around the school, leaving the toll of dead and injured at least doubled. Do you still think that having other armed people in the school is the answer?

Wannabestepfordwife · 15/02/2018 17:37

I really don’t understand the thought process of some Americans. They are pro-life so believe a foetus have more rights than the mother or her mental wellbeing but people’s “right to bear arms” are more important than the lives of actual children.

If the USA is unwilling to make any restrictions on gun ownership then they really need to look at their mental health system. The fact that the biggest state provider of mental health care in the richest country in the world is the prison system is absolutely disgusting.

GoBhfuilAnSoal · 15/02/2018 17:37

Let's be honest, it's not as widespread in the UK but it's not an America problem. Three people I went to primary school with are in prison for gunning down Letisha Shakespeare & Charlene Ellis.

iggleypiggly · 15/02/2018 17:40

There was armed security at the school. At least one (that’s been reported). They didn’t encounter the shooter, how does it work in such large schools? Armed guards outside of each classroom? Where does the madness end.

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