Americans celebrate Thanksgiving under shadow of two more mass shootings

U.S. schoolchildren learn to trace the holiday to Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and celebrated the autumn harvest with the Wampanoag peoples. Among Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of dark reflection on the genocide that followed.

America has made efforts to reflect on and change the wrongs of its past. To slavery and maybe even gun rights that were enshrined in the aspirational but flawed and fallible document of the Constitution.

But now the leading Republicans from Pompeo to Desantis are using culture war campaigns against "woke cultural Marxism" to distract from their crony capitalism and socialism for the rich.

https://www.vox.com/explainers/2019/11/27/20985579/trump-rally-change-thanksgiving-name-liberals-fox-news-florida

The US still needs to face its past this Thanksgiving.

There is something very wrong about the U.S.A. What is going on?

Awa,the celebration of Thanksgiving, really has nothing to do with the Pilgrims,it was made a national holiday in the 1900s by Congress,it celebrated by most ethnic group in America

The Brits in the colonies were the first to celebrate Thanksgiving Day in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.

On Thursday, November 26, 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation for “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.”

A country with so many mass shootings, and doing nothing about it, is a sick country.

I know I’m thankful I don’t live in a country terrorized by shootings.

The problem is, there are many gun laws on the books that work well, the problem is, so many are not implemented. Chicago, Baltimore are prime examples of cities that have extreme laws already, but none of them enforced.

Second, there is a serious problem with mental illness, another topic that is always overlooked and too often ignored especially when the signs are apparent of an individual that could possibly be prone to be psycho killer.

The problem is deeper than just attacking guns or the 2nd amendment. Serves zero purpose, helps no one, no one is listening especially all law-abiding gun owners whether they be civilian or a politician that owns a firearm or multiple ones. I think the issue can and should be debated, there is obviously a growing problem, but just screaming ban guns won’t work, will never happen, now if chat sites want to vent, that’s the only thing they will be able to do, nothing more, as for the politicians on both sides of the political aisle both need to come together and come up with a serious viable solution other than gun banning or confiscation. It’s just a waste of time. I love the 2nd amendment, would fight to protect it and proud to live in a country that has it.

Wallace,the only reason the Pilgrims we're thankful that the native American fed them

Bob Fosse,you probably do not live in the country,you were born in,it was a typical day in America, people gathered with family and friends

it was a typical day in America, people gathered with family and friends

I do that too. With party balloons that don’t trigger ptsd when they pop and cause everyone to duck for cover.

Ban the sale of assault weapons and their private sale as well. We’ve done it once and the Republic moved along just fine. We can do it again.

It won’t stop mass-shootings. It won’t stop mass-murder. But it’s a start. And it’s the first step past the “thoughts and prayers” mentality that shrugs its shoulder, says “Whatyagonnado?” and changes the channel till next time.

No private citizen should have access to that ability to put that volume of fire (because that is what assault weapons were designed to do) down.

They're not hunting rifles. They’re not marksmanship rifles (granted they are accurate to several hundred yards). They’re not good defensive weapons.

They are designed to pour a lot of fire at relatively short range in a very short period of time. And no private citizen should have access to that.

As always full disclosure: 40 year gun owner who likes shooting guns.

Second, there is a serious problem with mental illness, another topic that is always overlooked and too often ignored especially when the signs are apparent of an individual that could possibly be prone to be psycho killer

About 20% of Americans have a diagnosable mental illness. You’re going to take away all their guns?

What’s your ‘psycho killer’ detector test for the vast majority of mass shooters who have no criminal history and buy the guns used legally?

What is unique about American mental illness that causes gun violence at a rate far far far higher than anywhere else in the world?

Gun registration and limiting the type of gun do not go against the Second Amendment.

"A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Where is the well-regulated Militia? What type of guns was available when it was written? Muskets. People are not allowed to own missiles or make bombs.

The Supreme Court’s New Second Amendment Test Is Off to a Wild Start

The majority’s arguments in last year’s big gun-control ruling has touched off some truly chaotic interpretations from lower courts.

https://newrepublic.com/article/169069/supreme-court-second-amendment-test

I love the 2nd amendment, would fight to protect it and proud to live in a country that has it.

But only part of the time, i.e. vacations.

Bob Fosse what country,you live in Japan

Ban the sale of assault weapons and their private sale as well. We’ve done it once and the Republic moved along just fine. We can do it again. 

If the Democrats want to alienate voters, they should try.

It won’t stop mass-shootings. It won’t stop mass-murder.

Exactly! Now we are getting somewhere.

No private citizen should have access

Oh, so now we should ignore the 2nd amendment because the left hates it? Go ahead. Again, the Democrats are not that stupid. Besides, even if they could do that, that would just increase underground sales, kinda like the war on drugs war, how’d that work out?

They're not hunting rifles. They’re not marksmanship rifles (granted they are accurate to several hundred yards). They’re not good defensive weapons. 

But regardless of what or how YOU want to define it, if I want to purchase one, that’s my right.

And no private citizen should have access to that. 

I disagree, I should be able to own whatever I can afford, regardless of limit, if I have the money if I can purchase it and if I’m a lot abiding Citizen, then that is my right to do so.

Gun registration and limiting the type of gun do not go against the Second Amendment.

I would never trust the government, especially this government with any of my information, forget that!

About 20% of Americans have a diagnosable mental illness. You’re going to take away all their guns? 

I wouldn’t take anyone’s weapons away, that’s not for me to decide, but it if it is deemed and properly diagnosed that a person is a threat that is known to own a firearm, then it should be taken away to minimize the threat, if that is, indeed the case.

What is unique about American mental illness that causes gun violence at a rate far far far higher than anywhere else in the world?

Out of control, over the top media context propaganda.

There is something very wrong about the U.S.A. What is going on?

There are problems in every country. Perhaps I'm naive, but when I leave the house, I worry 10000x more about being in an auto accident than anything else. Gun violence doesn't even cross my mind.

flawed and fallible document of the Constitution.

The US Constitution is a great, but flawed document. The framers expected it to be re-written every 20 yrs, as the country changed. They never intended it to last almost 250 yrs without very large changes. There are definitely a number of flaws, like

the lack of term limits for all elected officials, federal and state

the lack of solidifying equal rights for all born people

changes for how and when voting happens (paper ballots, 3 weeks of early voting, requesting absentee ballots once every 5 yrs, good for that time, unless proof of disability is provided, then a lifetime request allowed)

Removal of the electoral college and add a mandate that proportional voting using the same votes as the full congress provides is used. If 51% of the population votes for party "a", then 50% of their allotted federal votes would go to that candidate, not all the federal votes. No more all-or-nothing voting counts by states - or at least not for the 50% - 75% most populous states. States with smaller populations need to be heard and have a disproportionate say in the federal elections. Majority rule isn't usually the most correct answer and can often be evil.

changes to automate state and congressional re-district map creation. The same tool needs to be used to ensure fair representation and prevent gerrymandering

changes to remove gaming the immigration/asylum system

changes to prevent forced motherhood

and, of course

changes to limit the types of firearms and how many any single person can own. This last thing is likely impossible to change, so they need to go after ammunition with strong restrictions. Left people have their firearms, but don't let them have more rounds than reasonably used in a 3 month period for legal hunting and target practice. I shoot about 50 rounds a week at targets, just to stay in practice.

Most of the other part of the US Constitution are fine. Heck, the USA should look at other Constitutions around the world for some of the bright ideas contained in them too.

Bob Fosse what country,you live in Japan

Is this a question?

Out of control, over the top media context propaganda.

Nope. No way. It is a statistical fact that gun violence is far far far higher in The US than any other country in the world. Trying to diminish that shameful fact by blaming the media is in itself shameful.

I wouldn’t take anyone’s weapons away, that’s not for me to decide, but it if it is deemed and properly diagnosed that a person is a threat that is known to own a firearm, then it should be taken away to minimize the threat, if that is, indeed the case.

How often would gun owners need to undertake psychiatric evaluation? As often as driving license renewal? Will it be free under healthcare or will there be a charge?

Americans refer to US citizens. It’s the de facto meaning. There’s nothing to realize here but only the reality that Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

Do you think ALL semi- automatic weapons should be banned or just the AR- derivatives?

Jeans,

You are correct, this would not stop all mass shootings. And to your honest question:

No, I would not ban all semi-automatic weapons. I own a ruger 10-22 semi-automatic rifle. It was my first gun and I love it. It is modeled on the M-1 carbine but in the wimpy (and cheap ammo) .22 caliber. I also own a Smith and Wesson MP-22 (again, cheap ammo. not a lot of kick) semi-automatic handgun. both are limited to 10 round magazines.

I WOULD ban any capacity over XX (10 in my view) rounds for rifles because if you need more than a given number of rounds for marksmanship or hunting, you are lazy and a bad shot.

And I would ban the AR because it is such high velocity and a high capacity weapon. It is just not appropriate in the hands of a private citizen. It is the equivalent of giving a person with a normal DL an F-1 race car and saying "drive safe!"

I do not own a semi-automatic shotgun (mine is a pump) but would not ban them as they are both legitimate hunting and home defense weapons. Again, limitations on capacity are in order. My dad's Remington 1100 was limited to 3 which seemed to work just fine for hunting pheasant in KS (In reality, dad never needed more than one shell. I was pretty jealous.....)

Again, I realize that this would not stop all mass-shootings, but it is an obvious place to start. These weapons, like sub-machine guns (which are banned) have no place in the civilan population.

bass4funk

   Gun registration and limiting the type of gun do not go against the Second Amendment.

I would never trust the government, especially this government with any of my information, forget that!

You keep saying that without admitting how much info your government has on you.

Births, deaths, and marriages. Driving license. Car ownership. Homeownership. Bank accounts. Credit cards. Education. Health. Passport and countries visited. Airlines and passenger lists. If you live in a foreign country. Taxes. That is an incomplete list.

14 states have gun registration already.

you cannot have a gun in Japan to protect yourself,lots of gun owners,fall on hard times ,have to pawn their gun, because it the only thing of value they own

Irrelevant argument, I’m an American citizen and I go to America a couple times a year, and when I do I go hunting, I go to the range with my family and friends

Last year guns killed 40,000 Americans. The same number of Ukrainian civilians killed in their war.

What are the chances of the little girl in the photo living her life all the way to retirement without being killed by a gun?

  Gun registration and limiting the type of gun do not go against the Second Amendment.

You may not think so, but that’s the first step to trying to whittle down the second amendment, and, as I just said to you, I do not trust this government with any of my information.

You keep saying that without admitting how much info your government has on you. 

Don’t be silly, you know exactly what I mean! Of course, I know that, but only again, the government would have more information, and what they would do with that is anyone’s guess

Births, deaths, and marriages. Driving license. Car ownership. Homeownership. Bank accounts. Credit cards. Education. Health. Passport and countries visited. Airlines and passenger lists. If you live in a foreign country. Taxes. That is an incomplete list.

I will make you a deal. I will support giving up my information if you support voter ID.

14 states have gun registration already.

And many don’t implement them.

In the spring of 1610, colonists in Jamestown, Virginia, enjoyed a Thanksgiving service after English supply ships arrived with food. This colonial celebration has also been considered the "first Thanksgiving."

bass4funk

     Gun registration and limiting the type of gun do not go against the Second Amendment.

You may not think so, but that’s the first step to trying to whittle down the second amendment, and, as I just said to you, I do not trust this government with any of my information.

You are forced to accept all the other information the government holds. Explain that.

Gun registration is by State not by Federal. If you lived in any of the 14 states with gun registration you would have to accept that too.

Your argument against gun registration is very weak.

bass4funk

I will make you a deal. I will support giving up my information if you support voter ID.

I support voter ID. Check your move.

   14 states have gun registration already.

And many don’t implement them.

Which do not?

Only 42% of Americans own a gun. None of my family do.

Jeans,

Hand guns are indeed an issue. I am old enough to remember when normal people didn't carry them (concealed or open) in public and somehow, magically, we all rolled along just fine (and crime was worse then than it is today by a quantitative measure).

The entire idea of "Shall issue" concealed carry permits without a demonstrated need is foolish. Open carry is just dystopian.

The right to keep and bear arms can and should be limited to one's domicile and perhaps one's car (and I don't really like the latter).

you cannot have a gun in Japan to protect yourself,

Actually you can own a gun in Japan to protect yourself if you can prove a need for it and go through the correct training and regulations.

This is (thankfully) a functional impossibility for all but rural farmers as Japan has made the very wise decision that goobers and yaks with guns are bad for society.

The American population is 332 million. The estimated number of guns is 400 million.

The adult population is 210 million with 42% owning guns.

82 million people own 400 million guns.

Americans cannot drink alcohol or smoke tobacco until they are 21 years. But they can own a gun.

Gun registration.

Ban internet sales of guns.

Ban selling guns at gun fairs.

Ban gifting of guns without a third party like a gunshop.

Ban all gun ownership until 21 years old.

Ban large magazine holders. Limited to 10 bullets.

 Ban the AR.

Gun buyback program.

Awa no Gaijin

Actually you can own a gun in Japan to protect yourself if you can prove a need for it and go through the correct training and regulations.

> You can also aquire a gun for hunting purposes or bear protection.

Handguns by civilians are very rare.

You can apply to own a shotgun which you must own for ten years before applying for a rifle license. Guns are for hunting, not self-defense.

Wallace,

I agree with your basic premise, but there are a few caveats in the rules.

In most, but not all states, handguns cannot be legally purchased or in the state of KS carried until 21.

The rules vary by state and I do agree with the basic premise that some level of competence, maturity and mental stability should be demonstrated prior to excercising this right.

Just wanted to point out some of the variance in laws among the states (which is its own problem as a person can sometimes legally purchase a neighboring state what they would not qualify for in their home state and then transport the gun across state lines.)

This is (thankfully) a functional impossibility for all but rural farmers as Japan has made the very wise decision that goobers and yaks with guns are bad for society.

As to why Japan is even brought into the discussion is irrelevant. However, when I’m in the states, I use my firearms all the time for sport. I have the legal right to own them and I don’t owe anyone an explanation or need to apologize for anything.

Cheers

Nemo

yes. Gun laws are meaningless if restrictions exist in one state but in the next one, they are freely available.

So Joey B can try to use a lame duck session (his team lost the House election) to try to take away guns from citizens before they get sent out of power.

Its going to be a long next 2 years for the Bidens.

Its going to be a long next 2 years for the Bidens.

6 years if by some miracle the Dotard wins the GQP nomination or rock-star Ronnie tries to do his Florida man schtick on a national level.

 I have the legal right to own them and I don’t owe anyone an explanation or need to apologize for anything.

You do, however have the obligation to follow the law, which can be changed in accordance with the wishes of a majority of the electorate.

Right now, gun control - especially in regards to high capacity assault style rifles is going 80/20 or more.

Guess which side you are on, B?

All politicians democrats and Republicans carry the can and are responsible for the mass murders and gun homicides.

Hawaiians are USA citizens however Hawaii isn't America is it !

Hawaiians are Americans. They are American citizens. America is the USA. No other country is called America. God bless America, this refers to the USA and not Brazil or some country on another continent. It is the defacto name. Name another country that has America in its official name?

Native Americans don't celebrate Thanksgiving day either .

You mean the native US citizens.

Gun registration.

Nope?

Ban internet sales of guns.

Ban selling guns at gun fairs.

Ban gifting of guns without a third party like a gunshop.

Never will happen.

Ban all gun ownership until 21 years old.

Depends, if you live on a farm, then no to any ban.

Ban large magazine holders. Limited to 10 bullets.

Why?

Ban the AR.

Absolutely not!

Gun buyback program.

I disagree, wouldn’t work. There will always be an underground market.

https://gunsafetytrainingpro.com/lives-saved-every-year-by-guns/

This link has zero factual data to support the suppositions it makes which is in line with the gun lobby's inability to prove the world is round much less how many lives are "saved" a year by guns. This "supporting link" is nothing more than gun lobby propaganda.

On the other hand, there is rather "a lot" of documentary evidence about guns being used for self-harm, domestic violence, accidental killing of family members in addition to goobers deciding that they have a right to make a citizens arrest (which they do NOT) as two goobers in (where else?) the "great" state of Mississippi did recently when they attempted to shoot, (wait for it) a black man in uniform working for Fed -Ex trying to deliver a package.

Mental illness is certainly a thing. The only problem is that those people in society who are supposed to be able to deal with this haven't a clue what they are doing. Many of these serial killers have had or were in the middle of psychiatric "treatment."

The U.S.A. is riddled with psychs, in the media, in schools, everywhere.

It's a semi-religious cult that's taken over from Christianity.

Maybe they are the cause?

Americans should celebrate Thanksgiving by giving thanks to their founding fathers who had the wisdom and foresight to enshrine the right to bear arms in the constitution.

This link has zero factual data to support the suppositions

Oh, but there is, of course.

it makes which is in line with the gun lobby's inability to prove the world is round much less how many lives are "saved" a year by guns. This "supporting link" is nothing more than gun lobby propaganda. 

Ahhh, put the left continues to dismiss those stats that prove their narrative wrong as well, but the left continues to dismiss it

On the other hand, there is rather "a lot" of documentary evidence about guns being used for self-harm, domestic violence, accidental killing of family members in addition to goobers deciding that they have a right to make a citizens arrest (which they do NOT) as two goobers in (where else?)

That’s the other political opinionated side to look at it.

You continue to make weak arguments that continue to get contradicted when it comes to this issue, and this is the reason why they left will never be successful at amending the Second Amendment, or taking guns away from people, because we all see what this is about.

Ban internet sales of guns.

Ban selling guns at gun fairs.

Ban gifting of guns without a third party like a gunshop.

Never will happen

Do you think they should happen?

They sound like sensible measures to help keep guns out of the wrong hands.

That’s a good thing, isn’t it?

Wallace,you do not need ID to use a credit card

Do you think they should happen? 

Rhetorical question?

They sound like sensible measures to help keep guns out of the wrong hands. 

Not the government.

That’s a good thing, isn’t it?

It just depends, right now a lot of people have a mistrust of the Federal government, and rightfully so.