I killed a person with my car a few years ago by accident. I hit a pedestrian jaywalking while the light was green for me, it was a dark rainy night and I didn't see him. I guess if I didn't have a driver's license, that man would still be alive. I think about him and his family everyday but they hate me :(

 

Sorry to hear about this very unfortunate event. Of course it was the last thing in the world you would have wanted to have happen, but like you say, you didn't see him.

 

My girlfriend is from Zimbabwe and seen her fair share of tragedies, including her father being killed my Mugabe's forces, her outlook on life is focus only on the things where you can make a difference, and not on the things you have no control over. Africa of course is a place with many problems and very little anyone can do about it so this is probably what she learned from that time in her life.

 

I feel I learn a lot from her because she does live each day in the moment, as she believes she shouldn't have survived Africa, she has a love for life.

EDIT: Removed by user.

does anyone know the exact laws relating to the purchase and carrying of guns in the US

 

To purchase a gun at a gun store, here is the form you fill out. And then it is supposed to be reviewed by some law enforcement agency (I have no idea if it's ATF or local...).

 

http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf

 

Also, you will be subject to state laws which vary considerably.

 

In Indiana for example, I think one can be 18 for a concealed carry permit (handgun). Some states it is 21. If you have a concealed carry permit in Indiana, one could walk into a sporting goods store (Galyan's e.g.) fill out the form for purchase of a handgun, and take it home that day. Otherwise there is a 10 day waiting period (while the app is reviewed).

 

To obtain a concealed carry permit in Indiana, there are a number of fees, you are fingerprinted, background check done - misdemeanor / felony - I think it is done on the FBI NCIS (national database) and then a review by the State Police?

 

Some states (Florida? North Carolina?) require some sort of firearms training course before issuing a concealed carry permit. Some states require "open" carry (in plain view).

 

If you don't have the concealed carry, in Indiana you need a "hunting & target" permit to transport a handgun (this may have changed). If no permit, the handgun can only be transported from store to domicle (or back for repair).

 

Long guns / shotguns do not require any permit to carry in Indiana.

 

Next door - Illinois - one needs a permit (or used to) just to purchase ammo (Is it still like this Chase - also good post btw). Very strict gun laws there. Indiana has in its Constitution specifically spelled out the right to keep and bear arms.

 

Bollox... quite the troll and display of ignorance of the U.S. Constitution.

 

I don't know why people think that this isn't a time to debate gun control and regulation, seems like the perfect opportunity to me.

 

Perfect time?

 

How long since e.g. Colombine? And we need to discuss gun laws now??? Not even a day after the tragedy took place?

 

Or let's go a little further back to the U of T (University of Texas) shooting (happened in the 60s) so many... and all of a sudden we need to discuss right this moment???

 

This kid apparently took the lawfully purchased guns from his mother.

 

Doesn't matter if it is a gun here or a meat clever in China... It is "man" who is responsible.

 

Matthew... great post btw.

I think it is a normal quest for answers, and guilty parties, the pain makes you seek reassurances it will not happen again.

 

If the kid had personality issues, my guess is ensuring people like these do not have access to firearms is the agenda.

 

Absolutely tragic all around.

I killed a person with my car a few years ago by accident. I hit a pedestrian jaywalking while the light was green for me, it was a dark rainy night and I didn't see him. I guess if I didn't have a driver's license, that man would still be alive.

 

Flash... I am so sorry to hear that.

 

I know you feel responsible... I was involved in a collision (with a woman - brain dead after?). Similar for me with respect to... I had a green light (red for the woman who turned in front of me) but on a clear sunny day. I was driving a two-tone brown Sheriff's Dept. (police) vehicle. Neither of us saw the other until "too late".

 

You have to tell yourself you were doing the best you could be doing... obeying traffic law etc. But accidents obviously happen. And because of the speeds and weights of vehicles involved... death is a part of some accidents. You can't say things like, "if I did not have a license". I do not think that fair to you. It is terribly unfortunate and so tragic.

 

One does the best they can... it still is not enough sometimes to prevent tragedy.

 

If the kid had personality issues, my guess is ensuring people like these do not have access to firearms is the agenda.

 

Will... I think this is part of the solution. We need to keep our lawfully possessed firearms locked up and w/o the ability for someone "unauthorized" to have or gain access to them, to the best of our ability.

It's a tragedy to have a deranged person kill people in a public venue such as a theatre, but it's absolutely enraging and disgusting to have another kill innocent little children. My heart goes out to all the families involved. As a father this makes my blood boil but I will avoid becoming political on the forums.

 

Very best,

Hi Guys, I am half American and half Canadian watching this story from New Zealand, New Zealand and Canada are two countries with strict gun laws and neither country is immune to this sort of thing. Both have shootings and tragedies as well, this is the dark side of mankind and this sort of evil has no national origin,

 

In New Zealand the gun laws are so strict that even the police are not allowed to carry a gun here. That alone shows a big difference, however with gun laws as strict as that doesn't prevent a citizen from building up an arsenal of weapons, here is an example of a guy that was armed to the teeth and had barricaded his property in what is a very nice family neighbourhood in Napier, New Zealand:

 

http://en.wikipedia....apier_shootings

 

What the USA decides to do following this event is up to the USA, for the rest of the world I think it is best to allow our American Friends the chance to make changes as they see fit and not meddle in its affairs. This is how a nation learns and grows from the outcome of events such as this one.

 

For me I know longer actively participate as an American because I left it, but look to my family and friends back home to advocate change where they see fit as this is their country and their home.

 

All the best everyone.

 

Agree with everything you said. As a matter of interest, my mother works in Napier (which is where I was from originally) and she heard all the gunshots during that siege from her office. Was quite scary as a lot of houses in the area got hit - it was lucky no one else died and of course was a terrible tragedy for all involved. As you say, stricter gun laws don't necessarily prevent these things. Those who really want to get a hold of a weapon can find a way. It's like trying to eliminate internet piracy. There's always someone on the other side just as clever as the good guys.

sooner or later you are going to have to grow up an accept that the second amendment written in 1776 when you were terrified of british boogey men doesnt hold water in the modern world

grow up

 

Your self-righteous pontification shows both ignorance of your own country's history and the reality of your country's role in the world. Do Dunblane and the earlier massacre at Hungerford ring a bell with you? They should. For you to hold up our constitution as a thing to wax condescending about is over the top.

 

I know the Hungerford story from up close and personal experience and witnessed the impact it had for years. I first visited there about six months after the massacre. I stayed at the Bear Hotel, on the corner of the high street where the majority of people were killed. I spent many weeks there over the next 15 or so years and in fact, was married in Shalbourne, a small village not more than 4 miles or so down the road from there.

 

I would suggest you read up on a bit of your own country's history and that of many others in regards to things like this tragedy before you come back here and put your foot in your mouth again. And, I will also take the opportunity to tell you that you have one or two days to change your user id, or I will do it for you. Not all users here are ignorant of the meaning of yours, including me.

This thread just had to become sadly political didn't it?

 

Nonetheless a very sad event to witness from across the pond. Even though I hold no belief in the man upstairs and religion in general, my thoughts and condolences go out to the families going through the worst experience possible, losing a child. It leaves a wound that will never heal. This kind of tragedy sends a shock all over the world. RIP.

Flash... I am so sorry to hear that.

 

I know you feel responsible... I was involved in a collision (with a woman - brain dead after?). Similar for me with respect to... I had a green light (red for the woman who turned in front of me) but on a clear sunny day. I was driving a two-tone brown Sheriff's Dept. (police) vehicle. Neither of us saw the other until "too late".

 

You have to tell yourself you were doing the best you could be doing... obeying traffic law etc. But accidents obviously happen. And because of the speeds and weights of vehicles involved... death is a part of some accidents. You can't say things like, "if I did not have a license". I do not think that fair to you. It is terribly unfortunate and so tragic.

I just feel guilty because I was in my twenties when it happened(young, good vision, fast reflexes, etc.) but that night I was coming home from a date with the radio blasting and my mind was somewhere else which led to the accident. By the way, my car accident occurred 1 block from my home, no joke. TV and Newspapers reported the accident with some newspapers calling me drunk, while others called me young and wreckless. I was not drunk, I never drink but the newspapers made me look like a monster. Police let me go after a long night of tests and questioning. I became friends with the lead crash investigating officer who helped me get over the trauma. Anyways, taking a life is not a good feeling and after meeting the 4 year old daughter and wife of the man i killed.........i felt like ending it also, but family, friends and forums(yes forums) helped me get through those tough times. :friends:

bollox, the second ammendant too bare arms was to protect oneself, not to murder young innocent kids.........

i am an avid gun collector with an antique dealer's licence!I have over 200 weapons in my safe,all registered in accordance with the law.

I don't believe gun control is the answer to such events.

 

We had our own massacre namely, in Port Arthur,several years ago,when this psycho, Martin Bryant went on a shooting spree.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Bryant

 

Now if the guns laws in Australia had been a bit more relaxed, some responsible well armed citizen would have intervened in the interim,before the police arrived,

and probably would have saved many lives!

 

My warmest condolences to the victims, who have to inccur the pain of this loss,but gun control is not the answer,and does not work!

i am an avid gun collector with an antique dealer's licence!I have over 200 weapons in my safe,all registered in accordance with the law.

I don't believe gun control is the answer to such events.

 

We had our own massacre namely, in Port Arthur,several years ago,when this psycho, Martin Bryant went on a shooting spree.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Bryant

 

Now if the guns laws in Australia had been a bit more relaxed, some responsible well armed citizen would have intervened in the interim,before the police arrived,

and probably would have saved many lives!

 

My warmest condolences to the victims, who have to inccur the pain of this loss,but gun control is not the answer,and does not work!

 

I thoroughly disagree, I drove on the Gold Coast 5 minutes before some clown opened fire at passing cars with an automatic weapon in 1988.

 

The answer to someone who is deranged and using a weapon designed to kill and maim is not to have everyone using them, but to control and educate. Since the Howard government placed strict controls on gun ownership the mass shootings have stopped in this country, and we hope they have for good.

 

Currently the police are dealing with bike gangs in western Sydney who have unregistered firearms but they have the power to search and confiscate.

While I understand your argument Will,it is a mistake to think that gun control works!

All it does is make the guns go "unerground" in the hands of criminals,while disarming law abiding citizens.

 

Furthermore,gun related crime is on the rise,in Australia,in complete contradiction to gun control laws.

 

Regards.

Guns, guns, guns, guns, knives, swords, more guns, more knives, more swords, blood, gore, war here, war there, more blood, more gore, massacre here, massacre there, etc and so on is what i have to wade thru each and every time i enter Steam to get to what * I * am actually looking for : a new train, locomotive or route for my beloved TS2013. That's what the 'gaming world' is all about these days. Trains ???.... Locomotives ???.... Huh ???? No guns ??? Nothing to kill ??? What's the fun in that !!??....

 

In discussions about a possible impact of computer games ( and not to forget movies ) on the minds of young people i have seen 'experts' stating that it has no impact at all and others stating quite the opposite. By the tremendous popularity of these 'kill everything' games it doesn't take a real expert to acknowledge the fact that, 'if no real harm is done' people actually love the 'act of killing' above anything else.

 

Couldn't it just be that the longer this goes on and these 'games' get more and more realistic with each new iteration, the line between 'virtual' and 'real' gets subsequently thinner and thinner ?...

 

Personally i am quite disgusted by what the 'gaming world' seems to end up in and i know full well that trying to stop it, put a ban on the release of 'killing games', will only make them even more popular, put more money in the devs' pocket ( and that's what it's all about, isn't it. Who cares about the youth's minds ) but i believe that it is the seemingly 'general acceptance' of this sheer endless stream of 'killing games' that might hold a key to some young people's horrific 'real life' actions as we have seen happening again just now.

 

We have a saying here in Holland that goes : " He who sows wind shall reap storm "

 

I long for the days of Pac-Man, Manic Miner, Donkey Kong. Yeah, i'm an old naïve fool who doesn't belong in this world of iPhones, iPads, Social Media, and Killing Games anymore.

 

I cannot express in words how i feel about this horrific event at Newtown but i do feel that prayers won't help the victims and families involved but that it is something real and groundbreaking towards peoples' attitude in this day and age to help prevent something like this happening again in the near future.

 

I know, it's a fat chance...