School Shooting Newtown CT

[DGTess]

http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/

[Kevin]

Before we TALK about an issue, we'd probably have to agree that there actually is an issue.

Violent crime is on the decline in this country and that's objective fact.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Before we TALK about an issue, we'd probably have to agree that there actually is an issue.

Violent crime is on the decline in this country and that's objective fact.

So the fact that violent crime is on the decline means that school shootings aren't a problem? This is exactly what I am talking about; the efforts to immediate shoot down any conversation on the topic.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

So the fact that violent crime is on the decline means that school shootings aren't a problem? This is exactly what I am talking about; the efforts to immediate shoot down any conversation on the topic.

School shootings are a problem on a steep decline. The media coverage of these events and the way they are covered is what's different. We'll always have sociopaths who do bad things and we can't really pretend that passing laws is going to fix that.

[Cheerio]

First, prayers for all directly affected by this terrible tragedy.

Second and slightly off-topic, please help if you remember watching something like this: Recently on ABC/CBS/NBC Nightly News, U.S. children with the name "Sandy" in their town or their school were profiled. They were collecting items or money or making thoughtful cards for those affected by Superstorm "Sandy" due to the "Sandy/Sandy" connection. Were the kids in that story children from this Connecticut "Sandy" school?

Can't find any info on possible connection online; perhaps with the tragedy National News pulled any references it had offline.

[IUHoosiergirl88]

I personally am of the opinion that yes, assault-style weapons need to be heavily regulated. However, I believe that a full weapons ban (handguns, hunting-style weapons included) isn't the answer. People have always called for knee-jerk reactions to events that are statistical anomalies...look at your security line at the airport.

In my eyes, guns can't walk into a bank and rob it, someone has to be behind that weapon. Unfortunately, human thought, emotions, and reactions can't be regulated, as much as people would like it to be.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

I personally am of the opinion that yes, assault-style weapons need to be heavily regulated. However, I believe that a full weapons ban (handguns, hunting-style weapons included) isn't the answer. People have always called for knee-jerk reactions to events that are statistical anomalies...look at your security line at the airport.

In my eyes, guns can't walk into a bank and rob it, someone has to be behind that weapon. Unfortunately, human thought, emotions, and reactions can't be regulated, as much as people would like it to be.

Most of these killings were accomplished by handguns.

[adpimiz]

Honestly, no amount of laws, metal detectors, searches... Nothing can stop someone who is that messed up in the head and that determined to kill. I agree something needs to be done, but I don't think gun control is the answer. Obviously, the shooter didn't care that murder is illegal. So why would he care if having a gun was illegal? Someone like that will always find a way, no matter what the law is.

[SigKapSweetie]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

Honestly, no amount of laws, metal detectors, searches... Nothing can stop someone who is that messed up in the head and that determined to kill. I agree something needs to be done, but I don't think gun control is the answer. Obviously, the shooter didn't care that murder is illegal. So why would he care if having a gun was illegal? Someone like that will always find a way, no matter what the law is.

This. Other countries (England springs to mind first) have very strict gun laws, and they still have mass shootings. Gun control isn't enough. Access to mental health care isn't enough. Everyone HAS access to emergency mental health care - just walk into the ER and tell the staff you're thinking about killing some kids. Boom, instant access. The real problem is the culture, the stigma associated with mental illness and its treatment. This guy may not have wanted any help, especially if he was psychotic. If he had no insight into his illness, the responsibility then falls (maybe unfairly, but there you go) to the people around him, like his family, to notice that there is a problem and to make sure that he receives treatment, voluntarily or involuntarily. Had anyone around him noticed what was going on with him? One call to 911 reporting concern that this guy was a danger to himself or others might have been enough to stop this. Especially given this:

"I think the most important thing to point out with this kind of individual is that he did not snap this morning and decide to act out violently," said former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O'Toole. "These acts involve planning and thoughtfulness and strategizing in order to put the plan together so what may appear to be snap behavior is not that at all."

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SigKapSweetie

One call to 911 reporting concern that this guy was a danger to himself or others might have been enough to stop this. Especially given this:

"I think the most important thing to point out with this kind of individual is that he did not snap this morning and decide to act out violently," said former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O'Toole. "These acts involve planning and thoughtfulness and strategizing in order to put the plan together so what may appear to be snap behavior is not that at all."

Comment I heard at a Christmas gathering last night:

Perhaps we ought to be keeping track of who buys things like Kevlar vests. I mean. who outside the military and law enforcement needs stuff like that? But the killers in cases like this always seem to have them.

Not a completely crazy idea, I thought.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by SigKapSweetie

The real problem is the culture, the stigma associated with mental illness and its treatment. This guy may not have wanted any help, especially if he was psychotic. If he had no insight into his illness, the responsibility then falls (maybe unfairly, but there you go) to the people around him, like his family, to notice that there is a problem and to make sure that he receives treatment, voluntarily or involuntarily. Had anyone around him noticed what was going on with him? One call to 911 reporting concern that this guy was a danger to himself or others might have been enough to stop this. Especially given this:

"I think the most important thing to point out with this kind of individual is that he did not snap this morning and decide to act out violently," said former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O'Toole. "These acts involve planning and thoughtfulness and strategizing in order to put the plan together so what may appear to be snap behavior is not that at all."

A lot of my friends, today, are posting about their own struggles with mental illness, and how we can remove the stigma. It's tough, even though my social circle consists largely of well-educated, privileged white kids who have access to healthcare, etc.

[groovypq]

I seriously need to stop reading all of this, because it's making me physically sick. Those children were shot at close range, multiple times.

[groovypq]

I just read that Westboro Baptist "Church" is going to picket the funerals and is praising God for this tragedy. Sick fucks. Pardon my French but there is no other way to put it. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they finally face God. I know that's really judgmental but there's no way He approves of their shit.

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by groovypq

I just read that Westboro Baptist "Church" is going to picket the funerals and is praising God for this tragedy. Sick fucks. Pardon my French but there is no other way to put it. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they finally face God. I know that's really judgmental but there's no way He approves of their shit.

Of course they are. I had forgotten about those morons.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by groovypq

I just read that Westboro Baptist "Church" is going to picket the funerals and is praising God for this tragedy.

That is truly disgusting.