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Fucking Guns

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  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/21/20

    Statistics for 2/20/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): Two: 24 dead, 3 injured in Caldwell, ID; 0 dead, 4 injured in Greensboro NC.
    Total deaths: 37
    Total injuries: 36
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/22/20

    Statistics for 2/21/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): 0
    Total deaths: 29
    Total injuries: 41
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/23/20

    Statistics for 2/22/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): 0
    Total deaths: 40
    Total injuries: 50
    Children under 12 killed: One: 6 y.o. boy killed, 9-y.o. sister injured in St. Louis, MO
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/24/20

    Statistics for 2/23/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): Two: 3 dead, 1 injured in Clarkton, NC; 7 injured in Houston, TX.
    Total deaths: 28
    Total injuries: 71
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
  • Doc TorDoc Tor Admin Emeritus
    FYI, the shooting at Caldwell, ID on the 21st should read 2 dead, 3 injured, not 24 dead, 3 injured. Still tragic, just not batshit crazy.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    Doc Tor wrote: »
    FYI, the shooting at Caldwell, ID on the 21st should read 2 dead, 3 injured, not 24 dead, 3 injured. Still tragic, just not batshit crazy.

    Thanks. That's why posts include "Any errors mine."
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/25/20

    Statistics for 2/24/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): 0
    Total deaths: 22
    Total injuries: 51
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
  • RuthRuth Shipmate
    Someone was shot and injured yesterday morning around the corner from where I live. It is very weird to look at the picture in the local paper and recognize the houses.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    Gaaah, Ruth. Are you OK?

    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/26/20

    Statistics for 2/25/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): Two: 6 injured in Lafayette, LA; 1 dead 4 injured in Chicago, IL.
    Total deaths: 29
    Total injuries: 40
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

  • Whoa Ruth. Very frightening.
  • Golden KeyGolden Key Shipmate, Glory
    {{{{{{{Ruth}}}}}}}
  • RuthRuth Shipmate
    Yes, thanks, I'm fine. I was home, but didn't hear the shot -- just read about it in the local online paper. That daily list just makes my eyes glaze over. 51 injuries that day to me is just a number. But one of them was a guy in my neighborhood at 7:30 in the morning while I was contentedly finishing up breakfast.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    Today, February 27, 2020, is the 1-year anniversary of the US House’s passage of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. After passage, this bill went to the Senate where it has awaited action ever since, blocked by Senate President Mitch McConnell. Sen. McConnell is up for re-election in his home state of Kentucky in November 2020.

    H.R. 8 expands existing background checks by requiring private gun sales to go through background checks by licensed gun dealers. Currently, private gun sales are exempt from these checks. This exemption makes it possible for those unable to legally purchase guns to acquire them anyway. H.R. 8, if passed and signed into law, could reduce the number of guns purchased by buyers forbidden to have them—for example, convicted felons or people with a history of suicide attempts.

    The figures reported here daily, gathered from Gun Violence Archive.Org, suggest that on average, at least 23 Americans die every day from gun violence, much of it preventable. At least 8,400 people died from gun violence between 2/27/19 and today. More than double that number suffered gunshot wounds, some minor and others permanently life-altering.

    Could even one of these deaths or injuries have been prevented by H.R. 8? There’s no way to know. But our Senate, in blocking this and related measures, may have American blood on its hands.

    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/27/20

    Statistics for 2/26/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): 6 dead in Milwaukee, WI
    Total deaths: 33
    Total injuries: 32
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

    I plan to stop posting these shooting reports with statistics for 2/29/20. If someone else feels moved to take this on, feel free. PM me if I can offer advice.
  • Ohher wrote: »
    Today, February 27, 2020, is the 1-year anniversary of the US House’s passage of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. After passage, this bill went to the Senate where it has awaited action ever since, blocked by Senate President Mitch McConnell. Sen. McConnell is up for re-election in his home state of Kentucky in November 2020.

    H.R. 8 expands existing background checks by requiring private gun sales to go through background checks by licensed gun dealers. Currently, private gun sales are exempt from these checks. This exemption makes it possible for those unable to legally purchase guns to acquire them anyway. H.R. 8, if passed and signed into law, could reduce the number of guns purchased by buyers forbidden to have them—for example, convicted felons or people with a history of suicide attempts.


    Could even one of these deaths or injuries have been prevented by H.R. 8? There’s no way to know. But our Senate, in blocking this and related measures, may have American blood on its hands.

    Maybe. I think most felons who want a gun will find a way to get one and I think it's possible that, by discouraging mentally ill people from getting help, the law could actually increase suicides. One of the main reasons schizophrenic people give for not seeking help is a fear of somehow coming under government control. It's an irrational fear but very common for people who have to endure the frightening weirdness of hearing voices. Background check laws actually proves them right to some extent if seeking help is going to put them on a list that will be available to everyone from the FBI to the local redneck who sells guns at the flea market.

    I think the whole idea of background checks plays into the NRA's false idea that we can control who gets guns so that, the bad guys don't get them while all those good guys in Texas and self-appointed neighborhood watch dudes can open carry.

    Congress fighting over the fine points of background checks is a dandy delaying tactic for the NRA as it sounds like a concession to gun control advocates, but barely has anything to do with the number of guns on the street or gun deaths.
  • Twilight wrote: »
    Maybe. I think most felons who want a gun will find a way to get one ....

    How many gun murders, manslaughters, or accidental killings in this country are committed by convicted felons? This may be near totally irrelevant.
  • Robert ArminRobert Armin Shipmate, Glory
    After a school shooting in Dunblane in 1996 the British Government clamped down on the use of handguns. I can remember people saying that criminals would still be able to get their hands on guns, which is undoubtedly true. Nonetheless, there have been no school shootings in Britain since then. How many have there been in the States over that period?
  • DoublethinkDoublethink Admin, 8th Day Host
    edited February 2020
    There has been a spree shooting since though - in 2010, 12 people were killed with legally held guns. Derek Bird was a brain injury survivor and probably had not had the support he needed in the three years following the injury - nor does it look like that had been taken into account in renewing his permits.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/29/20

    Statistics for 2/28/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): 0
    Total deaths: 15
    Total injuries: 26
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
    ____________________________________

    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 2/28/20

    Statistics for 2/27/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): 0
    Total deaths: 22
    Total injuries: 46
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

    I plan to stop posting these shooting reports with statistics for 2/29/20. If someone else feels moved to take this on, feel free. Message me if I can help.


  • After a school shooting in Dunblane in 1996 the British Government clamped down on the use of handguns. I can remember people saying that criminals would still be able to get their hands on guns, which is undoubtedly true. Nonetheless, there have been no school shootings in Britain since then. How many have there been in the States over that period?

    I'm all for outlawing handguns, assault weapons and pretty much every gun not required for one's occupation.

    What I'm not in favor of is only taking them away from mentally ill people and convicted felons. I can't think of a single mass shooting where the shooter would have been stopped by the background checks. A few of the shooters were mentally ill, but they used their mother's guns or their uncle's guns or they stole the guns or they bought the guns before they were diagnosed.

    'Background checks," is a delaying tactic keeping us away from anything that might make a real difference.


  • RossweisseRossweisse Hell Host, 8th Day Host, Glory
    Ohher wrote: »
    ...
    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

    I plan to stop posting these shooting reports with statistics for 2/29/20. If someone else feels moved to take this on, feel free. PM me if I can offer advice.
    Thank you for taking them on for so long, @Ohher. I very much appreciate your good work.

  • Golden KeyGolden Key Shipmate, Glory
    Thx, Ohher. You did good. :)
  • Golden KeyGolden Key Shipmate, Glory
    Twilight--
    Twilight wrote: »
    'Background checks," is a delaying tactic keeping us away from anything that might make a real difference.

    Maybe--though it might weed out some potential buyers, and maybe scare off some others.

    I think the (72 hr?) cooling-off period that some places require before actually getting a gun is good. But AIUI gun shows and private sellers aren't held to that.

    And then there are people who flat out sell guns illegally.
  • Rossweisse wrote: »
    Ohher wrote: »
    ...
    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

    I plan to stop posting these shooting reports with statistics for 2/29/20. If someone else feels moved to take this on, feel free. PM me if I can offer advice.
    Thank you for taking them on for so long, @Ohher. I very much appreciate your good work.

    I feel like it is a good time to put this to bed. It has performed a useful awareness-raising service for me, and on occasion I have experienced it as a call to prayer. I found the experience of compiling the daily stats harrowing, even though for most of the time it is a mechanical exercise. The horror of it would just hit me sometimes. And I just did it for a month.

    Bravo Ruth. You are a strong, brave and committed person.
  • Twilight wrote: »
    After a school shooting in Dunblane in 1996 the British Government clamped down on the use of handguns. I can remember people saying that criminals would still be able to get their hands on guns, which is undoubtedly true. Nonetheless, there have been no school shootings in Britain since then. How many have there been in the States over that period?

    I'm all for outlawing handguns, assault weapons and pretty much every gun not required for one's occupation.

    What I'm not in favor of is only taking them away from mentally ill people and convicted felons. I can't think of a single mass shooting where the shooter would have been stopped by the background checks. A few of the shooters were mentally ill, but they used their mother's guns or their uncle's guns or they stole the guns or they bought the guns before they were diagnosed.

    'Background checks," is a delaying tactic keeping us away from anything that might make a real difference.


    I think it is an inch-by-inch approach that if implemented, might lead to better laws being acceptable in the future.

    As someone with bipolar disorder, I should not have a gun. I can identify at least one time in my life when I would have killed myself if I had one. It is the fleeting moments of utter despair that are the danger for people like me - the few minutes before the blessed saving thought appears, saying 'but I couldn't do that to [insert]'.

    Schizophrenia and the sort of BPD where you become delusional are even more dangerous than people like me, who would only ever harm themselves. People who are in acute phases of their illnesses should not be on the streets. They need to be in hospital, in secure facilities, where they can receive the appropriate care. That is for their sake, and the sake of everyone around them. When they are not in an acute state, they need to be under the care of doctors and social workers, and hopefully friends and family. They should be taught to read the warning signs of an approaching acute phase, as should those around them. I have a good friend who lives like this, and admits himself to hospital when he feels a bad time coming.

    If this sort of thing does not happen in the USA, it is an urgent matter of public concern that they do.
  • Alan Cresswell Alan Cresswell Admin, 8th Day Host
    Golden Key wrote: »
    Twilight--
    Twilight wrote: »
    'Background checks," is a delaying tactic keeping us away from anything that might make a real difference.

    Maybe--though it might weed out some potential buyers, and maybe scare off some others.

    I think the (72 hr?) cooling-off period that some places require before actually getting a gun is good. But AIUI gun shows and private sellers aren't held to that.

    And then there are people who flat out sell guns illegally.
    ISTM that it's very difficult to justify having rules that apply to some but not others. If the rules say there needs to be a cooling-off-period, background check, or whatever for over the counter sales then those rules should also apply to other sales - gun shows, internet, etc. What is the basis for not having everyone work to the same rules?

    Clearly, if anyone is caught selling guns illegally then they should be prosecuted and face severe consequences. If a retailer is caught breaking the law by selling guns without observing all the checks and cooling off then the consequences should include losing the right to sell guns.

  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    US SHOOTINGS REPORT 3/01/20

    Statistics for 2/29/2020
    Total mass shootings (4 or more casualties): Two: 1 dead, 4 injured in Kansas City MO; 0 dead, 5 injured in Brighton, CO.
    Total deaths: 18
    Total injuries: 49
    Children under 12 killed: 0
    Info courtesy of Gun Violence Archive.org.
    Any errors mine.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

    This is my final shooting report post for the foreseeable future. If someone else feels moved to take this on, feel free. Message me if I can help.
  • Simon ToadSimon Toad Shipmate
    edited March 2020
    Bravo Ohher. You are a strong, brave and committed person. Ruth is too, but I meant you. :)
    I have a good friend who lives like this, and admits himself to hospital when he feels a bad time coming.

    My good friend has been well for a long time, and his illness does not lead to violence, but crazy criminal schemes. He is usually caught, the poor dear bastard.
  • OhherOhher Shipmate
    Simon Toad wrote: »
    Bravo Ohher. You are a strong, brave and committed person. Ruth is too, but I meant you. :)

    We knew who you meant. ;)

    It takes no great strength, bravery, or commitment to post a few statistics. Changing the occasion for posting them -- now that will take some doing.
  • RuthRuth Shipmate
    Ohher wrote: »
    Simon Toad wrote: »
    Bravo Ohher. You are a strong, brave and committed person. Ruth is too, but I meant you. :)

    We knew who you meant. ;)

    Indeed! :smiley:
  • TwilightTwilight Shipmate
    Simon Toad wrote: »



    I think it is an inch-by-inch approach that if implemented, might lead to better laws being acceptable in the future.

    As someone with bipolar disorder, I should not have a gun. I can identify at least one time in my life when I would have killed myself if I had one. It is the fleeting moments of utter despair that are the danger for people like me - the few minutes before the blessed saving thought appears, saying 'but I couldn't do that to [insert]'.

    Schizophrenia and the sort of BPD where you become delusional are even more dangerous than people like me, who would only ever harm themselves. People who are in acute phases of their illnesses should not be on the streets. They need to be in hospital, in secure facilities, where they can receive the appropriate care. That is for their sake, and the sake of everyone around them. When they are not in an acute state, they need to be under the care of doctors and social workers, and hopefully friends and family. They should be taught to read the warning signs of an approaching acute phase, as should those around them. I have a good friend who lives like this, and admits himself to hospital when he feels a bad time coming.

    If this sort of thing does not happen in the USA, it is an urgent matter of public concern that they do.

    I certainly agree that mentally ill people should not have easy access to guns, we don't even have carving knives in our house, I can carve a turkey with a paring knife, but then I don't think most people should have guns.

    Most of the domestic violence murders we hear about are done by a angry, drunk family men with no diagnosis of mental illness. The 72 hour cooling off law would be good for everyone, including teen boys who just broke up with their girlfriends.

    I just think it would be so much better to make gun laws apply to everyone and then we wouldn't have mentally ill people afraid to seek help for fear they'll be put on a list. Most state laws define too mentally ill to own a gun by "has been committed to a hospital for psychiatric reasons." That means all those poor, tiny anorexic girls can't buy guns. That doesn't make me feel safer.
  • Yeah, that's a weird way to do it. The closest I've been to admission is an outpatient for about 6 months when I first had a massive breakdown. Anyone with a diagnosis I reckon.

    The problem is the money, as always. I'm lucky to have a specialist who bulk-bills, which means the patient pays nothing and he applies for the scheduled benefit on the patient's behalf. Most specialists, including psychologists and psychiatrists require an up-front payment, and then the patient applies for the scheduled Medicare benefit as a reimbursement. As the Specialist charges more than the benefit, the patient not only has to come up with the full amount to get specialist attention, but doesn't get it all back! I don't believe private insurance helps with that. Many people with a mental illness are not that brilliant at financial management...

    I would certainly not have got through my breakdown in 2000 without the spiritual, emotional and financial support of my family. Any barrier to treatment discouraged me, and I had no money at all because I was gambling it. I think I would likely be dead.
  • Golden KeyGolden Key Shipmate, Glory
    {{{{{{{Simon}}}}}}}
  • TwilightTwilight Shipmate
    Also many big hugs for Simon. "Any barrier to treatment discouraged me," are such true words for all mentally ill people. The part that's ill is the brain and it's not making the very best decisions. Plus when does anyone like going to the doctor?
  • Well, of course. Bog rolls, bullets - all those coronavirus essentials.
  • oh yes, terrible stuff. Predictable? I suppose so.

    I have a mate who is a sporting shooter and a gun collector up in Newcastle. He keeps his guns at the club, where they belong. He holds a collectors license for his others and it is just that. He can't shoot them, or even own ammo for them. He can just collect them. If things head south I have offered my services as a personal carer in exchange for protection.
  • Golden KeyGolden Key Shipmate, Glory
    Re gun buying due to the pandemic:

    They're scared. And the whole thing of the gov't (at whatever level, but especially federal) locking down the country, controlling us, trips a lot of alarms--even for people who aren't gun owners, hard-core survivalists, in the sovereign citizens movement, etc.

    And they've worried for a long time that the gov't is going come for their guns, exercise too much power, etc. They're probably worried that posse comitatus act (Everything Explained.Today) is going to be violated. (This is the clearest explanation of the US version I could find.) AIUI, the basic idea is that the federal gov't can't use the military "to enforce domestic policy". The complicated reasons are spelled out on that page. Anyway, the PCA comes into conversations among people who worry about this sort of thing.

    A lot of stories are being awakened and evoked, and this kind of situation plays right into them.
  • Yep. Conspiracy city.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    My Nephew told me there has also been a run on guns here, which I find worrying.
  • Robert ArminRobert Armin Shipmate, Glory
    Are guns like toilet paper? Do they ward off the virus?
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Purgatory Host, Circus Host
    Almost, but not quite. The point of having a gun is to protect your toilet paper supply.
  • Brenton Tarrant has changed his plea to guilty on all charges arising out of the Christchurch shootings last year. For his sake, I hope he has snapped out of his white supremacy and can make his peace with God.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    I was surprised to see he had changed his plea, as the case wasn't due to come before the courts before May. I'm glad he has done so though. As it is he will not be sentenced until the courts return to normal.

    One of the men who was shot and whose wife was killed, has forgiven him for his actions. He would like to meet and talk with the young man.

    The Widower spoke very movingly of what his wife meant to him and how he expected to see her again in Heaven.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    All the earlier comments I had read from the Mosque survivors and the families of those killed were relieved, and some were celebrating. But the man from the Linwood Mosque who fought off the attack by throwing an eftpos machine at the gunman sad he would like a full trial so he can understand why the gunman attacked them.

    Even if there was a full trial I don't know if he would get that.
  • CrœsosCrœsos Shipmate
    Possible side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic: with Americans congregating in fewer places there may be fewer mass shootings, particularly school shootings.
  • Huia wrote: »
    All the earlier comments I had read from the Mosque survivors and the families of those killed were relieved, and some were celebrating. But the man from the Linwood Mosque who fought off the attack by throwing an eftpos machine at the gunman sad he would like a full trial so he can understand why the gunman attacked them.

    Even if there was a full trial I don't know if he would get that.

    From a safety perspective it's probably just as well that the killer won't get the opportunity to speak in the courtroom and say exactly why he did it. In the US we've unfortunately found that publishing the words or images of mass shooters can lead to copycats.

    For a while our media published the manifestoes, courtroom ravings etc. of mass killers and white supremacists, but they found that repeating these to the public was radicalizing other people. It's like the thing where you're supposed to avoid printing lies, even to refute them, because the more times people see the lie the more it gets implanted in their brain.
  • Golden KeyGolden Key Shipmate, Glory
    Might be fewer *mass* shootings...but with families forced in together, or some people unable to get to the people they care about (unless they break the shut-down)...guns will probably come into use. And self-inflicted deaths, among people who are too stressed out to cope.
    (:votive:)
  • Mass Shootings over the last couple of weeks:

    24/3 4 injured, TX
    22/3 4 injured, SC

    20/3 8 injured, 2 incidents VA, MI
    18/3 1 killed , 4 injured FL
    17/3 7 injured, MD
    15/3 12 killed, 2 injured, 2 incidents MI, NC

    source

    Only a shooting involving 7 people killed was DV related, a murder/suicide in NC on 15/3. That I found surprising.





  • And The National Rife Association has sued California for declaring that gun stores are non-essential businesses.

    Yeah, those pesky seniors who think they have the right to get into grocery stores before we do need to be put in their Second Amendment place once and for all.
  • Alan Cresswell Alan Cresswell Admin, 8th Day Host
    But, an arsenal of weapons that would equip the army of several small nations is going to protect you from infection. Nothing scares viruses like a several AR-15s with plenty of ammunition.
  • RooKRooK Shipmate
    Do they also sell flame throwers at gun stores? Because those could be excellent disinfectant.
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