Gun Violence

[mozartfan1313]

So, I was studying for my exam the other day and it's for my Murder and Other Crimes history course. We had to read this book called "Guns and Violence" where an American scholar, Joyce Lee Malcolm, discusses the history of weapons and crime in England, in comparion to the United States

Comments

[themurcurytree]

It's tough, we definatley havea bgun/violence problem here. I support gun control. Too often guns fall into the hands of the wrong people. but how can the dealers differentiate who has a gun for sport, self defense, etc, as opposed to someone who will go ballistic? It sucks, there really is a lot of racial tension, gang violence, class and monetary differences, drugs, so many factors that play into violence in AMerica.

I don't have an answer though

[mozartfan1313]

Is there a system that differentiates which people are allowed to carry a gun? I think I read in that book that you have to have been clean, sober and not been in a mental facility in the last five years in order to apply for a gun.

There is no answer, unfortunately.

[gossfather]

It's a difficult one to assess, as far as the US is concerned. Though to say violence is worse in the UK, because there's no guns is just ludicrous. With the current gang-culture that's creeping up through scoiety here, making guns easily accessible, would be as smart as sticking your hand in a fire

[mozartfan1313]

Actually, the author is a member of the NRA. She probably got paid for putting her arguement into a book.

I don't believe that media causes violence. But I do believe that it can affect the impulses of someone who is already mentally unstable, like murderers who cite Natural Born Killers or A Clockwork Orange as inspiration.

I thought the Marilyn Manson interview on Bowling For Columbine was fantastic. It really gave an insight into his personality and really made the whole idea of blaming the media look ridiculous. I really feel that bullying, poor parenting or mental instability cause tragedies like what happened at Virginia Tech. Not movies or video games or wrestling.

I completely disagree with Joyce Lee Malcolm's theory. It's ridiculous to assume that England is violent because of the lack of guns. Just to hear that makes me want to laugh, because it makes no sense.

Thanks for such an interesting post.

[gossfather]

Absolutely i'm sure movies whatever have inspired people to do certain acts of violence, but if they're that mentally unstable they're going to react in that manner anyway. They'll get their inspiration from history, books, newspapers other serial killers.

I still smile thinking that guns are the way to make any country less violent, what a fantastically idiotic and narrow-minded statement. She probably sleeps with a gun rubbing it and everything. Ugh.

[mozartfan1313]

I know. It's such a weak arguement it's hard to believe her book even got published. Stupid NRA.

[amelialourdes]

I really have absolutely no idea what the "right" thing is in this case. With the shootings in VA, it just reminded me of how accessible bullets are in this country. Can't fire a gun without a bullet. It reminds me of that Chris Rock stand-up featured in Bowling for Columbine where he said that bullets should cost $150 each so that if you're going to kill someone then you better be damn sure it's worth it.

[mozartfan1313]

I forgot about that Chris Rock segment. It's so true. If only guns were more expensive.