Mass shootings = symptoms of a much worse problem

[BartenderElite]

It's a very legitimate question. Guns play a role but guns have always been around and we didn't have this level of school shootings. Mental health plays a role but not all mental health people shoot up school or buildings and mental health issues aren't new.

Doing a google search turns up some interesting research on those who have studied these shooters and the idea of breakdowns in society that have led up to this. There's no one easy answer unfortunately.

And that very last part is where it becomes hard for America. We're just not great when it comes to complex issues. We need there to be a guy in a black hat, and a guy in a white hat. Anything involving nuanced discussion is a challenge, especially on a political level.

[Yakuda]

I don't think it's most of the problem. I think problems w/ culture, the "technological age" (for lack of a better description), things like more single-parent homes, our still very poor handling of mental health issues - those are clearly things that have developed over time and are now here in a big way.

As far as guns: I look at a situation like this, and think, 'THIS person should not have been able to get a gun.' Of course that's easy to say after the fact, but there were red flags here. Early identification of these issues has to improve, somehow.

I think the vast majority of the problem is cultural. Guns aren't new and neither are mental health issues.

[evince]

Maybe the US deserves it. I think so. We think saying "oops" after killing 750,000 innocent Iraqis makes it okay.

We have one party that does nothing but lie


This isn’t a two sided problem



We have one side that seeks chaos

[evince]

I think the vast majority of the problem is cultural. Guns aren't new and neither are mental health issues.

ARs are new historically

[evince]

And that very last part is where it becomes hard for America. We're just not great when it comes to complex issues. We need there to be a guy in a black hat, and a guy in a white hat. Anything involving nuanced discussion is a challenge, especially on a political level.

One side uses lies in preference to truth

[domer76]

It's a very legitimate question. Guns play a role but guns have always been around and we didn't have this level of school shootings. Mental health plays a role but not all mental health people shoot up school or buildings and mental health issues aren't new.

Doing a google search turns up some interesting research on those who have studied these shooters and the idea of breakdowns in society that have led up to this. There's no one easy answer unfortunately.

I believe social media plays a large role these days. That is something that was absent in the past.

[Into the Night]

All you're doing here is trying to find an example to back up "it's not the guns."

Kind of what I was talking about in the OP.

It's not the guns. There. I said it. It's all hanging out there pink and naked. I'll say it again. It's not the guns.

[BartenderElite]

We have one party that does nothing but lie


This isn’t a two sided problem



We have one side that seeks chaos

I don't love Republicans in 2023 - but I'd disagree.

I think the left focuses almost 100% on guns when things like this happen. As I said, that deserves to be part of the discussion - but it's almost impossibly simplistic, and as some have mentioned, we've had guns throughout our country's existence. Before Columbine, we never saw shootings like this - now, it's a very regular event.

We've let things slide, on every level. We're not being vigilant. I can't imagine being a child in today's world, and having to go through "active shooter" drills in elementary school. That's a much darker world than kids should have to deal with, and I'm sure has an impact on what kinds of adults they become.

[Into the Night]

And again - if you read the OP, I do not "blame the gun."

You're basically backing up most of what I said in the OP about the current discourse.

Lie. You just blamed the gun! Don't try to deny your own posts!

[cawacko]

I believe social media plays a large role these days. That is something that was absent in the past.

I definitely agree although in thinking about it Columbine and Sandy Hook happened before social media I believe. However this was all post internet.

[Yakuda]

ARs are new historically

The Gatling gun was invented in the 1860s if you consider that new historically on a technological level. As far as ease of carrying yes.

[Into the Night]

Context. It's always important.

Not to you.

[BartenderElite]

I believe social media plays a large role these days. That is something that was absent in the past.

It's awful. We all know it's awful.

But what do we do about it? I started a thread on here once about free speech, and got pretty slammed. But it's such a sacred principle - what if it doesn't work anymore? What if it really hurts us now?

Not that we shouldn't have free speech. But the internet is out of control. Social media should not be as toxic as it is - it's hurting all of us.

[Geeko Sportivo]

I hate how both sides react to these. The left is no doubt bad - it's all guns, all the time. But the right is no better. If it's a Muslim - time for a travel ban! If it's a transgender, it's all "see! We told you they were dangerous." Even though both groups account for less than 1% of American mass shootings.

The answer? We're sick as a nation. And this is a symptom. If we had a doctor for countries, we'd be admitted to the emergency room right away. This is like a Stage 4 kind of symptom. We've let things go. We've allowed divisiveness, hate & fear trump the better angels of our nature. We've allowed demagogues to rule the day, and we've let the internet run wild. And guns are PART of the problem, as well. There is no coincidence between the fact that we lead the world in gun ownership, and gun violence. Saying the answer is "more guns" is an incredible disconnect.

I have no answer, but I know where the answers lie: in honest discussion. Not "how can this help my side" knee-jerk reactions. We've gotta stop politicizing this stuff, and think through all aspects of it in an unbiased, critical way. We need real leaders, and not cartoon characters.

Lives depend on this. We have to step up. It is time.

I sure would like to know how Mass shootings is not about gun violence in this country, and how this is the Democrats fault- or how this makes the Democrats bad, or how Democrats response to the murders is somehow bad in your eyes!

You said the Democrats are bad- I take that as an insult! I am ready to defend the Democrats position on this anytime you get ready Mr. Elite!

Perhaps you need to splain LUCY!

[Into the Night]

ARs are new historically

You consider over 60 years 'new historically'???