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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is there much coverage in the UK of the US shootings this weekend?

141 replies

AbsentmindedWoman · 04/08/2019 19:00

The El Paso attack definitely driven by white supremacy, the second in Ohio is uncertain regarding motivation, as yet. Possibly a lethal family row as the gunman's sister is one of the victims. At the same time some news people are asking if it was partly racially motivated, because the majority of people killed were black (in Ohio).

Not an AIBU as such but didn't see another thread discussing it. White nationalism just seems to keep gathering speed and aggression.

OP posts:
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Thump · 04/08/2019 22:53

The guy I liked listening to on a news conference today was maybe a Texan politician running for office, but he was very firm in stating that they had a few laws they were looking at one of which carried the death penalty. This guy will be put to death. But where does that leave us?

Thump · 04/08/2019 22:58

Most police over here don't even carry weapons (though I wouldn't argue with them either or you'll find yourself on the ground in handcuffs fairly lively).

In Ireland there are only specialist units who are armed.
It is one of the most rurally isolated countries of the EU. If you live in the middle of nowhere, it's likely, at speed, it would take 30 mins with blues and twos on to get to you.

Yet people are not generally armed and are not allowed to defend themselves in the event of a home invasion for e.g.

My father owns two guns which he uses for his work. He's had those gun licences since about 20 and is now nearing 70. The worst he has done is shoot crows, or put a sheep to sleep for e.g. A bit wild west maybe, but in Ireland the local police do thorough checks - not only on you, but the entire household where the gun will be stored. Etc.

Justneedaflippingtemporaryname · 04/08/2019 23:01

To be honest I get fed up of American shootings taking up our news programmes. We have enough news of our own.
This

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 04/08/2019 23:09

Sadly Thump it’s definitely since the start of 2019. Although how people arrive at the total figure for ‘mass shootings’ tends to vary a lot. Which is mind-blowing in itself.

justasking111 · 04/08/2019 23:16

The sister and her boyfriend of the Ohio killer were found shot dead in a car. So it was not just about white supremacy then. Trump is blaming it on mental illness has the flags at half mast. He and Melania are praying for the victims.

TheFridgeRaider · 04/08/2019 23:22

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay even if you say "shooting incidents" or smth like that the number is astounding.

StarbucksSmarterSister · 04/08/2019 23:27

The victims in the El Paso murders weren't Americans.

Why do you think that? El Paso is in America. It has a high Hispanic population because all of Texas once belonged to Mexico but they are American citizens.

I have many American friends who are in despair, I don't have compassion fatigue because I know millions of Americans desperately want change.

drsausage · 04/08/2019 23:29

I'm in the US, I do loads to try to get these laws changed and to change minds, and even I feel powerless and find myself rolling my eyes and thinking 'What's the point in even reporting it any more.'

As someone else said, Sandy Hook didn't result in change so what will?

TheFridgeRaider · 04/08/2019 23:37

Can't post a screenshot for some reason...

twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1158052677143670787?s=19

Gooigi · 04/08/2019 23:50

He and Melania are praying for the victims.

Who needs gun control when you have thoughts and prayers?

justasking111 · 04/08/2019 23:57

I am sick to death of mentally ill people being allowed guns in the USA. I remember the mum who begged the police to take away her sons guns, they refused. He killed her.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/08/2019 00:36

Can't beleive so many of you think it is ok not to care just because it is America

Unfortunately hatred of America is fashionable on Mumsnet; the fact that the place contains millions of thoroughly decent people apart from Trump, the NRA and a bunch of rednecks apparently escapes some, but it's a new low for the deaths of a score of innocent people to be met with some of these remarks

Few sensible people would deny the major problem with firearms, their crazed supporters and the dirty money swilling around the issue, but perhaps a little more compassion for the dead and injured and their loved ones might be appropriate

araiwa · 05/08/2019 01:20

Not empty posting

Is there much coverage in the UK of the US shootings this weekend?
TwistyTop · 05/08/2019 02:38

I don't think the gun laws are the main problem. Sure, it doesn't help things, but the problem is the person holding the gun, and how they got to that point.

I do think that America needs to tighten up gun laws, and I'm fed up of listening to people defend the guns when they so clearly shouldn't, but it would be naive to think that that alone would solve this problem. People will still get hold of guns. Mass shootings will still happen whilst people have the will to carry them out. America has serious problems that need to be addressed, and tightening up the gun laws is just a very small part of that.

Lolyora17 · 05/08/2019 02:44

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Prawnofthepatriarchy · 05/08/2019 13:31

perhaps a little more compassion for the dead and injured and their loved ones might be appropriate.

Except that there have already been 250 of these shootings this fucking year. I can't get too excited about something the American public doesn't make a priority.

I think Evangelicals and any other single issue anti abortion voters are partly to blame. GOP candidates who are funded by the NRA are responsible for so much harm.

It's not just loony gun policies. America's appalling health and criminal justice systems are also the work of candidates who would find it far harder to get elected were it not for the millions of single issue anti abortion voters.

Parts of the USA still fight a constant battle to keep Creationism out of schools, FFS

justasking111 · 05/08/2019 13:41

If a licensed gun holder in the UK was reported by family, friends their guns would be confiscated while they investigated. Until the usa takes this on board I have no sympathy. My family have guns if they move one gun from one home to another the police visit to make sure that it is secure in a cabinet. The license is renewed every five years. When the usa let nuts hold guns because of their rights under the constitution they deserve little sympathy.

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 05/08/2019 13:48

It's not just guns. There are other countries where legal guns are plentiful without America's horrific record of mass shootings. And the USA is generally a very violent society compared to other developed countries, with a far higher homicide rate than Canada, Australia or the whole of Europe.

From here it seems a very dog eat dog society. The maternal death rate and many other metrics reveal it as a society where huge inequities are almost celebrated. And racism still scars what should be a fine country.

I remember talking to an American online who insisted that the USA was the best country in the world because people are queuing to get in. When I explained that the same was true of loads of other countries he refused to believe me at first.

IsobelRae23 · 05/08/2019 14:13

It’s not just mass shootings. It’s the number of children that have been killed accidentally finding and playing with guns.

This is a good website for the breakdown in gun crime throughout the US, down to each individual shooting and victim.

www.gunviolencearchive.org/

Rezie · 05/08/2019 14:21

There has been 252 mass shooting this year. Is it really news anymore? That averages as more than 1 a day. So usually daily occurrences shouldn't go over the new treshhold. How sad is it that we are at a point where a mass shooting is not newsworthy?

NoBaggyPants · 05/08/2019 14:28

justasking is doing a great job of buying into the "brown man = terrorist, white man = mental issues" rhetoric.

If someone sets out to murder masses of people they're a fucking terrorist.

Looking4wards · 05/08/2019 14:33

Too many people have access to guns in the US. But it's not enough to just say let's not sell guns anymore.
What can you do about the guns that are already sold and out there in the wrong hands? Not like the police can do house by house searches to confiscate them. So what can really be done to prevent more mass shootings in the near future?

justasking111 · 05/08/2019 14:37

I think you will find many nuts do hold valid gun licences. No police over there ask the question "Mr. Jones why do you need an AK47, oh its moose season, sorry I asked" Hmm

BarbariansMum · 05/08/2019 14:44

Another one here who doesn't see why occasionally American mass shootings make headlines in the UK (most of them actually don't). Yes it's sad for the victims and their families but they were part of a society that feels that this is a price worth paying for the freedom to bear arms. It's not a choice that makes sense to me but it is a choice.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/08/2019 15:02

Except that there have already been 250 of these shootings this year. I can't get too excited about something the American public doesn't make a priority

As said I totally agree about the attitude problems around guns, but the "American public" are individuals and I'd no more blame them en masse than I would muslims because some are terrorists. We can point to legislative pig headedness and millions of us do, but choosing a day when so many are grieving for remarks about us "having our own news" and worse seem tasteless at best

And for context I happen to be posting from Texas right now, being here on a home exchange. This is yet another Texas house which bristles with firearms because the owner's a sport hunter ... but I think we can take it as read that he's not going to be shooting up the local Walmart or school any time soon