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posted by on Monday January 09 2017, @08:49PM   Printer-friendly
from the second-amendment dept.

The love of guns in the United States has been well documented, as have multiple mass shootings across the country such as those in Orlando, San Bernardino, Newtown, and Virginia. The ease of access to guns in American society comes at a shocking cost.

As of September 2016, almost 11,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence. Despite this high death toll, mass shootings in America show no sign of disappearing.

The Stateside obsession with guns can appear baffling to UK observers unfamiliar with its origins. So just how did this gun culture become so deep-rooted in the American psyche?

BBC source: Why Are Americans so Obsessed with Guns?

Wikipedia: Gun politics in the United States


Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday January 09 2017, @11:18PM

    by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Monday January 09 2017, @11:18PM (#451733) Homepage Journal

    Hey now, shooting drunk is a time honored tradition in the US. And still there are so very few accidental shootings.

    --
    My rights don't end where your fear begins.
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday January 10 2017, @12:09AM

    by bob_super (1357) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @12:09AM (#451764)

    It is unquestionably harder to inflict significant self-injury through bad maintenance or drunk state, with a gun than with a car. If we all shot high-explosive shells out of cannons, the stats would likely reflect our clumsiness (or irresponsibility) better.
    I'm wondering how many objects would testify as to not being the intended target or the bullet they received. Those don't make it into the official stats.

    • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday January 10 2017, @12:18AM

      by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday January 10 2017, @12:18AM (#451770) Homepage Journal

      This is true. No pond has never complained that I just missed the turtle I was shooting at while drinking beer.

      --
      My rights don't end where your fear begins.
      • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @04:29AM

        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @04:29AM (#451887) Journal

        Did you just admit to discharging a firearm while under the influence? What the hell is wrong with you?! Get a clue, asshole: that is NOT "responsible gun ownership!"

        --
        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @07:11AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @07:11AM (#451922)

          And just what are you going to do about it?

          • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @09:02AM

            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @09:02AM (#451952) Journal

            Just point it out so this shit isn't normalized on here. Maybe a few people seeing that will be shaken out of their apathetic stupor long enough to realize, holy shit, this guy is exactly the kind of person who can't be trusted with firearms, and stop giving his constant torrents of reactionary squitter any credence on here.

            Cleaning out the meme pool with an eyedropper of bleach is a thankless fucking job but every little bit helps.

            --
            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
            • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday January 10 2017, @11:26AM

              by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday January 10 2017, @11:26AM (#451981) Homepage Journal

              You know, around here we prefer our insults to have either insight or wit. Yours lack both. You should spend some more time in IRC. Most anyone there can teach you how to zing people without coming off like an angry noob.

              --
              My rights don't end where your fear begins.
              • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @06:59PM

                by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @06:59PM (#452181) Journal

                Remember...tone-policing is the last refuge of the scoundrel, having replaced patriotism sometime around Eternal September.

                It's not even possible to insult you properly, since you're a complete nihilist. That was never the point; none of this is for you. It's for other people who still have some shred of humanity left who will be encouraged by seeing that *someone* is still standing up to this tide of self-serving postmodern bullshit you and your kind are peddling. I know you can't be saved, and I'm sorry for that, but you made your choice a long time ago.

                --
                I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday January 10 2017, @07:35PM

                  by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday January 10 2017, @07:35PM (#452200) Homepage Journal

                  I'm policing skill not tone. You suck at insults. It makes people pity you. I don't think that's what you're going for.

                  --
                  My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                  • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @08:14PM

                    by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @08:14PM (#452218) Journal

                    Keep telling yourself that, Uzzard...every time you reply, every time you drop another stinking load of bird turd on these forums, you just prove my points about you all the harder. Kinda like Donnie the Dire Oompa Loompa from Hell and his Twitter account, come to think of it, except no one outside this site can see it.

                    --
                    I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                    • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday January 10 2017, @08:32PM

                      by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday January 10 2017, @08:32PM (#452225) Homepage Journal

                      You made points? When was this?

                      --
                      My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                      • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @08:55PM

                        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @08:55PM (#452229) Journal

                        I can keep this up as long as you can, Uzzard, and longer still. I'm younger, faster, tougher, and I don't abuse my body with cigarettes and booze. Besides which, half the time you make my points for me :) If I ever make a mistake, it's in trying too hard; all I need to do is let you keep doing the work for me, like an aikido-ka with an overeager striking-style opponent. Keep it coming, feathers-for-brains!

                        --
                        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @09:21PM

                          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @09:21PM (#452234)

                          I can keep this [aikido] up as long as you can, Uzzard

                          Is that what you call it? Looks like the equivalent of an outmatched child screaming "NUH UH!!!" at the top of her lungs to me.

                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxuMKb5CKI0 [youtube.com]

                          • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @09:37PM

                            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @09:37PM (#452239) Journal

                            You forgot to log in :D I dunno, man, if anyone looks off-balance here it's not me. Try again, and this time, aim properly and consider your actions before you move.

                            --
                            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                        • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday January 10 2017, @10:05PM

                          by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday January 10 2017, @10:05PM (#452250) Homepage Journal

                          I did try to help yas. I told ya, chromas or crutchy or many of the others in IRC could show you how to insult properly. You don't wanna listen though...

                          --
                          My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                          • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @10:21PM

                            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @10:21PM (#452268) Journal

                            Aaaaaalley-oop! Once again, you fail to understand what's going on here :)

                            --
                            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                            • (Score: 1, Redundant) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday January 10 2017, @10:44PM

                              by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Tuesday January 10 2017, @10:44PM (#452281) Homepage Journal

                              Oh? I thought I was just ignoring your nonsense and mocking you. Guess you sure told me though.

                              --
                              My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                              • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday January 11 2017, @04:35AM

                                by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday January 11 2017, @04:35AM (#452363) Journal

                                Please, Uzzard, you're stalking me like a teenage girl with a massive crush, responding to my every post. That's the precise opposite of ignoring. This is so easy it's almost *embarrassing.*

                                --
                                I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                                • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday January 11 2017, @10:43AM

                                  by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Wednesday January 11 2017, @10:43AM (#452449) Homepage Journal

                                  You're in a post about guns. Consider which of us belongs here more and try again.

                                  --
                                  My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                                  • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday January 11 2017, @05:36PM

                                    by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday January 11 2017, @05:36PM (#452573) Journal

                                    Says the feckless jackoff who pounds brewskis and then discharges firearms, and then is stupid enough to brag about it on a public, internet-facing forum which he has an editorial position in.

                                    You're making me feel guilty, Uzzard. This is too easy.

                                    --
                                    I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                                    • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday January 11 2017, @10:25PM

                                      by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Wednesday January 11 2017, @10:25PM (#452736) Homepage Journal

                                      I have an editorial position? I think you've not been paying attention.

                                      Fun fact: A healthy adult male can drink a beer an hour and never become in any way drunk.

                                      Another fun fact: Blow me. I've had firearms safety drilled into me since I got my first bb gun at five years old. I'm not going to forget it even blackout drunk.

                                      --
                                      My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                                      • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday January 12 2017, @12:35AM

                                        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Thursday January 12 2017, @12:35AM (#452789) Journal

                                        If I were gonna blow you I'd need one of those industrial nano-pipette things. And we'd end up with the world's smallest gas chromatograph in short (heh) order. You're losing it, Uzzard. You hang on my every post like a desperate, abandoned puppy, and boy did that one annoy you.

                                        --
                                        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                                        • (Score: 1, Troll) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday January 12 2017, @03:19AM

                                          by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Thursday January 12 2017, @03:19AM (#452827) Homepage Journal

                                          Mildly, yep. Congrats on finally getting me to give 1/32 of a shit about anything you said. Have a celebratory cup of STFU and type up your OCD reply. Go ahead, I'll even let you have the last word.

                                          --
                                          My rights don't end where your fear begins.
                                          • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday January 12 2017, @03:23AM

                                            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Thursday January 12 2017, @03:23AM (#452830) Journal

                                            You're having a meltdown of Trumpian proportions here, Uzzard :) I wish you had a Twitter feed!

                                            --
                                            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @05:48PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @05:48PM (#452145)

              Just point it out so this [shooting firearms while imbibing alcohol] isn't normalized on here

              A noble enough goal in and of itself...

              this guy is exactly the kind of person who can't be trusted with firearms

              ... and yet here you fall flat on your ideological face. As stupid as TMB's claimed behavior seems to be, who was harmed? Who was even aware that there was a potential for harm in said situation until TMB himself posted about it after the fact? No one. And no one is exactly the same person who has any moral or legal authority to do anything about TMB's irresponsible use of booze and guns until someone else (or someone else's property) has been harmed or reasonably threatened to be harmed.

              By stating TMB is the kind of person who "can't be trusted with firearms", you are implicitly demanding TMB be forcibly disarmed since I presume TMB won't divest himself of arms voluntarily; if you were to follow through on that demand, you would be facing people like me: in general agreement with your evaluation of TMB's behavior, but armed and willing to kill you for trying to disarm TMB. If you want to get all "prior restraint", I propose we follow your plan to go big-E Evil and lock everyone up gagged in a gibbet where they can't do anything - starting with you.

              • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday January 10 2017, @06:52PM

                by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Tuesday January 10 2017, @06:52PM (#452176) Journal

                Okay, let's try an analogy. A car analogy, since I'm told these were popular 'round these parts:

                Suppose you have a guy who drives drunk a lot. Now he's driving really late at night, say 2 AM, and there aren't too many people on that road at that time. Not even cops, usually. Is his driving drunk still morally permissible? Why, or why not? What sanctions should there be for this?

                --
                I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @07:58PM

                  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 10 2017, @07:58PM (#452209)

                  Okay, let's try an analogy. [...] Suppose you have a [person] who [does something stupid] a lot.

                  Let's analyze your analogy. There are multiple levels of sanctions, primarily split between public (law) and private (freedom of dis/association). What sanctions should there be for:

                  - botching a service repair (i.e. loss of data)
                  - failing to fulfill a promise
                  - taking a personal risk which has resulted in at least one previous death of the risk-taker
                  - horrible body odor, failure to floss teeth, and/or lack of clean underpants

                  What levels of sanctions, if any, (for BOTH public and private sanctions) should there be for the above? We can't get to matters done in public until private matters are discussed.