shootings in the usa

Ivan,

I had told myself that our correspondence was degenerating into two elderly men urinating up a tree and proving nothing. So I used Voltaire as a nice way to end what had become boring. I further attempted to soften it a bit with... [well almost]... to interject a little humor.

Of course your heart felt expressions of sympathy were greatly appreciated, what wasn't was your reference to "some still think they are living in a film set of cowboys and Indians". The synonyms of "some" is a, an or one, but it's antecedent is many. So obviously "One (A ,An) American......" doesn't make sense but it's antecedent does, Many Americans think they are living in a film set of cowboys and Indians. This is false or unsupported generalization at best, which you pointed out and then begin to repeat this, continuing the "paint" job that you'd mentioned concerning "cowboys and drunken sailors".

Secondly, towards the end of your first paragraph you commenced to slip from the first person singular to the first person plural, now I doubt that you were writing in the either the royal or papal WE. Suddenly our debate has slipped into me and you, plus the rest of the site or perhaps you were writing on behalf of the British nation. You used WE seven times, OUR twice plus US once...not one I! It's as If it was the rest of the site members plus yourself debating me, I do not believe you have that prerogative to strengthen your argument by including unnamed parties. I have enjoyed your posts in the past on other subjects and I compliment you on your writing skills and erudition, that is why I am at a loss for such a trick...playing to the crowd.

If you read my post you will find that other than twice, in reference to my wife and myself, I wrote in the first person singular, I... Mano y Mano, you and me.

My geographical comments were addressed as follows "to those who have never been to the U.S.A. and are unaware of our land mass...." I would have expected those already informed with that information to move to the next paragraph or go the the next post. My aim in posting is normally to entertain, in this serious subject it was clearly to inform the uninformed (not ignorant or ignorance) and not to bore people. Posts are just like television you don't like the show, change the channel

I also mentioned and I thought made it clear, that I was also upset at "snide comments" on other posts too.

I am zipping-up and moving away from the tree. You asked the questions I have responded. Of course It's your right to ask more but don't expect an answer...This has dragged on too long and I only answered your #41 as a a courtesy. I'm bored with it.

Rodney D.R. Mills

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Originally Posted by Roger DYER

Finally, Rob, your suggestion that a machete wielding lunatic could just as easily create the level of carnage witnessed at Newark, isn't really valid. In general terms, the truth is, a person firing a semi-automatic rifle or pistol can kill a great many more people in a fraction of the time it would take a person armed with a knife or machete. You can outrun a machete, but you can't outrun a bullet. It is a sad fact, the act of murder will remain with mankind until the end of time, but to encourage the use of firearms and allow their easy availability to the general public will not, in the long term, deter violence , but rather, create an unwelcome propensity for greater loss of life.

.........................Roger

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Wolverhampton machete attack - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

reading all thees posts just what is needed to change the mindset of people in america thees are children they are not responsible for themselves WE ARE next meeting of the American gun lobby read out the kids names? in congress read out the names and ages of the kids and ask just one question is this right for a few pigheaded people to wield the power that could make a change what next someone getting into an NFL game with a couple of drum magazines and in seconds killing hundreds what is it going to take now we have panic buying of guns assault rifles its not a case of if its when is it going to happen again and again do we build schools like fortresses as good as any maximum security prisons like war killing is a big business and today's kids seem to be tomorrows chip papers what will it take? america is a free country but at the same time kids should be free to be safe is that in the constitution that should be the first amendment.jp

No matter how many times we agree or disagree with the American system of having guns in the comunity, nothing is going to change.
A reporter said there was 300,000,000 weapons in the public domain in the USA.
There is no way you can get rid of those. If by some chance the good people gave up their weapons, the Bad people will keep theirs. So who defends the good people?
The good people will get their guns back again to defend themselves against the bad people and so it goes on .
So therefore it is a waste of time asking for the guns to be given up. Just hope there are not too many lunatics out there who want to make a name for themselves.
In the UK if I wanted a gun I dont need to own one, I can go into Manchester and hire one for a couple of days, do the deed and then return the gun to be sterilized and all for just a small fee. simple.
One gun can do many jobs.
So what is the difference.
Cheers
Brian.

I do not know what channel you watch in the U.K., but if it's like certain channels in the States (.That I do not watch, but hear of through friends etc). Prince Harry and Pipper (?) et al, sends vicarious thrills through the millions of Americans that love the Royals and anything British. They have no idea if it is true or not. What makes new's? The most outlandish comment or action from the U.K.. God! Prince Charles gets a speeding ticket....six o' clock news. 10 mins. after six, right behind whether the stock market will crash, and world-wide savings are wiped out.

The comments you are believing on this thread as gospel are from fruitcakes that don't represent America, no more than .....man (read any countyman you like) has intercourse with his pet canary and they both die.

This was my news tonight at six. Scenes of the tragic funerals at Newtown. Newtown, attempting to open substitute schools in a nearby township....Sympathetic comments from the talking heads...break for commercial... then, An outporing of support from the Nation. 28 Christmas tree delivered from a fire dept. staff in Califormia to Newtown...within two hours they were erected at the entrance to the school AND thirty minuets later completely decorated by the many citizens from around the country that were drawn to Newtown, Ct.. 28 angels culled out of thousands from around the world, mountains of wreathes and flowers. It went on for the rest of the news of simular stories. Plus three Senators, N.R.A. supporters (think: paid off by the N.R.A. for years), have called for a congressional hearing on MODIFYING the U.S. gun laws. The leader of the Senate has said enough is enough, semi-automatic weapons have no place in our nation. He has supported the current status quo for DECADES! Perhaps, maybe, sanity will prevail.

Remember PLEASE I BEG YOU, when something bad happens vultures gather, and shipmates you are reading and sadly believing what are the very bottom of the bird cage. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your outpouring of support for my nation, but, please, please think before you believe the b.s. you are hearing on the t.v., radio and the gutter press. Think! Next time when, and it will in this day and age happen, something so beyond your normal comprehension will come to pass in your country, and you are absolutely horrified and disgusted,and then some jerk in YOUR country says something outlandish and is held up to the worlds information gatherers (vultures) as your representation of you as to what is the reaction or excuse for what has happened in YOUR county. YOUR representative, or some pig that is making a pound, e.u. or a dollar off it will make headlines in another country, informing and titlilating people so they can say "see that's what the ............. are saying. (enter your country). Oh hell! I'm pissed in more ways than one, a bottle of Shiraz has bit the dust. What's the use.

Rodney.

Please excuse the typos, gramma spelling and language . I'm going to kick the cat and hit the sack....Hell I don't even have a bloody cat.

Ivan

Thank you for your thank you.

Cheers Rodney

On the news today, true one would hope, the Rifle Association in USA tell the president they are prepared to talk on ways to reduce the danger of some guns.
But last year about 200,000 suffered gun shot wounds while 10,246 were killed by guns. As a percentage of the population some 315 million it is not great. How many of those where gang land killings I do not know but no doubt some were. How many of the injuries wee self inflicted I do not know. But again it is a small percentage of the total population. However I do not in anyway condone the behaviopr in USA, but i am fully aware that to change the culture will take generations if ever.

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Originally Posted by Rodney D.R. Mills

Ivan

Thank you for your thank you.

Cheers Rodney

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Rodney, I will be arriving with another bottle or two of Shiraz, then we can have these hiccups together :)

In 1965 I got married went ashore and got a salesmans job with the Gas Board.
I had to go to Knutsford in Cheshire for a two week residential course.
Two men to a room in the Hotel.
My room mate was limping with a stiff leg, I thought, He wont be too good walking the streets knocking on doors.
I went into the room and he is sat on his bed cleaning an automatic pistol. with a magazine alongside.
I said ,``What kind of Salesman are you going to be, making people have a new gas cooker with a threat of a bullet`
He showed me his right leg, it had been mutilated, He had been knee capped.
He said he was hiding out and the Manchester gang wouldnt find him here.
He was getting ready to go out and said , `You look like a Copper, you are coming with me,`
GULP, `What??`
He said `We are going round the clubs and Shebeens to find the bastards who did this then I am going to blow their fing heads off`
I wet my knickers, `No its OK if you dont mind, I`ll stay here,` `No, your coming, I need back up,`
He took me to his car , it was a dark night and we drove around Salford and Manchester`s back streets
, round the backs of decrepit buildings up back stairs, knock on doors, a slide opens and big black fellas open the door, `Stand by the door with your arms folded and look mean`.
I was shaking. it was worse than the shacks in Lagos.
He would walk around the very dimly lit `clubs` looking for certain characters, then we would leave and then find another Shebeen, Fortunately we never found the gang members who had him knee capped. a few days later he vanished with all his gear and I never saw or heard of him again.
But it did give me an insight into the shady world of the Manchester Mafias.

I was happy when he had gone. because I have never been so scared as I was in those shebeens with a man with a gun.
Brian.

Ted

Sorry for the delay in answering your post. I am not a gun enthusiast, as I have mentioned on every thread I believe on this post, so I could not answer your questions off the top of my head, so after considerable research I have found the answers.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 (G.C.A.).

It generally prohibits the importation of firearms, firearm frames or receivers, firearm barrels and ammunition into the United States. I have read the law in its entirety and I am skipping the boiler-plate clauses. There are a number of loopholes in this loosely written law (my opinion) but a definite and dramatic change. Highlights of G.C.A. 1968 follows. "Narrow categories excepted." "Firearms for scientific research or for competition training. Unserviceable firearms, other than MACHINE GUNS [my emphasis] (not readily restorable to firing condition) if imported as a curio or museum piece. If the firearm or ammunition are of a type generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to "sporting purposes" or fire arms or ammunition were previously taken out of the United States who is bringing in the firearm. Surplus military firearms, frames, etc. and other non-sporting firearms qualify as "curios and relics" may be imported etc. etc, ad nauseam.

Cutting through the legalise, there are exceptions but not machine guns, they are banned.

Fully Automatic weapons post 1968, are banned in the U.S.A.. Ownership of a Post 1968 FULLY AUTOMATIC weapon in the United States is a federal felony. Converting a semiautomatic firearm into a full automatic firearm is a federal felony.

Each of the fifty States have different laws for the same subject, however, Federal law supersedes State Law.

How can one own a fully automatic weapon legally?

First one would have to find a pre-1968 auto firearm for sale. Depending on condition, $15,000.00 to $20.000.00. After enormous amounts of paper work and legal fees, plus $200.00 for a stamp. And agreeing to open your house for inspection by the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms, this form filling etc. is estimated to take at least 2 years. So, with availability, money, time and a thorough governmental inspection you may purchase a pre-1968 legal fully automatic weapon. Next problem where to fire it? Gun clubs in general will not allow the use of fully automatic firearms in their facilities.

The Clinton Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. (F.A.W.B.).

The F.A.W.B. 1984 prohibited the manufacture of 18 specific models of semiautomatic weapons along with the manufacture of High-Capacity ammunition magazines that could carry more than 10 rounds. The ban had a provision that allowed it to expire in September 2004. This proviso added by the Republicans was the only way the bill could pass the house, and 10 years plus was better than nothing, if the Dems. were still in the majority, they could extend it. Unfortunately, President Bush 2nd. was President and he allowed it to expire in September 2004.

There have been several attempts by the U.S. Congress to re-up the ban, the most recent in 2008,( according to the Library of Congress.) But none of them have been successful--Republican majority in Congress.

The weapon used in the Newtown Ct. massacre was a Bushmaster .223 SEMIAUTOMATIC rifle; a type of AR-15. (?).

So, with the exception of pre-1968 fully automatic weapons, the owner ship or conversion from Semiautomatic to fully automatic is a Federal offence and a felony.

For those like ME who are not familiar, fully automatic, one can empty the magazine with a single squeeze of the trigger. Semiautomatic; each squeeze of the trigger fires a round.

Well Red lead, you gave me a work out. I hope this answers your and others questions.

Cheers, Rodney