world

2 dead, 5 wounded in shooting after high school graduation ceremony in Virginia

33 Comments
By SARAH RANKIN and DENISE LAVOIE

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

©2023 GPlusMedia Inc.

33 Comments

Comments have been disabled You can no longer respond to this thread.

Thank goodness that these gunmen were there to protect us all from, let me check my notes here… a graduation ceremony.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

Thank goodness that these gunmen were there to protect us all from, let me check my notes here… a graduation ceremony.

Graduation ceremony, religious worship, marriage, shopping at the supermarket, sporting event, parties, going out to the beach, restaurant, etc ... You can't do a social event in the US without its corresponding shooting..

Third world..

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Children and young people expect their schools, colleges, and universities to be safe places of learning. That isn't true anymore.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

here we are again.

and this country wants be as great example for rest of the world how to live...

completely valueless rotten society.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

Unfortunately the US is descending into the developing countries standards in many things, the worst thing is that a sizable segment of the population is perfectly fine with letting the country slip down as long as they are still free to do as they please.

12 ( +18 / -6 )

I am sure shooters were all legal gun owners, and not affiliated with any criminal activity. Otherwise, the article would surely have mentioned that. Cough.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

All the goobers have guns.

Too bad there weren’t more good guys with guns….

(Sarcasm intended)

3 ( +8 / -5 )

the problem lies not with guns but with criminals

It's amazing how quickly one becomes a criminal when given a gun. Have they tried giving them wooden spoons ?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I am sure shooters were all legal gun owners, and not affiliated with any criminal activity. Otherwise, the article would surely have mentioned that. Cough.

They obviously don't know yet.

And you obviously know that a very large number of the mass shootings that we hear about are done with legally held weapons.

But you are obviously referring to something else, probably based on the photo. What is sometimes referred to as a "dog whistle".

7 ( +8 / -1 )

You can't do a social event in the US without its corresponding shooting..

You can, just depends on where you live.

-17 ( +1 / -18 )

just another violent day in the "land of the free" thats an Oxymoron

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Just another broken record ... the motto of the US should be one of the following two; "Wash Rinse & Repeat" or "Until Next Time" (Probably sooner than later!)

10 ( +12 / -2 )

"It could not be avoided" says the only nation in the world where mass killings routinelly happen.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Mass shootings in the US sad for the families but they are nothing new and they are going to continue. You sort of come to expect them.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Living in fear isn't freedom

Americans are the most fearful, paranoid people on the face of the planet.

being surrounded by woke phenomena and religious freaks

They have every reason to be scared of religious freaks and they are probably scared of gay poltergeists.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

just one idea.

bring back your soldiers from abroad than demilitarize your citizens as police seems completely powerless.

people abroad will feel more free as less people be killed by US army-problem at home will get solved.

win-win

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

As I live and work in Japan for over 23 years from America, this issue haunts me. My evaluation on the topic of gun violence in America in the United States is a complex and multifaceted problem with no single, straightforward explanation. There are several factors that contribute to America's gun problem:

The historical significance of guns and the Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms, has created a strong gun culture in the United States. Many Americans view gun ownership as a fundamental right and an essential part of their personal freedom and security.

The United States has relatively lenient gun laws compared to many other developed countries. The widespread availability and easy access to firearms make it easier for individuals, including those with ill intent or mental health issues, to obtain guns.

The United States has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the world. With more guns in circulation, there is a higher likelihood of their misuse or falling into the wrong hands.

While the majority of people with mental health issues are not violent, a small fraction of individuals with untreated mental illnesses may be at a higher risk of committing acts of violence. Insufficient access to mental healthcare services and stigma surrounding mental health can exacerbate this problem.

High levels of poverty, inequality, and social dislocation can contribute to crime rates and gun violence. Communities with limited economic opportunities and high levels of social unrest often experience higher rates of violence.

The illicit drug trade and gang-related activities can contribute to higher rates of gun violence, particularly in certain urban areas. Disputes over drug territories and gang rivalries can lead to armed confrontations and shootings.

While there are federal laws governing firearms, there are loopholes and variations in regulations across different states. The absence of comprehensive background checks for all gun sales, limited restrictions on certain types of firearms, and inadequate monitoring of gun sales contribute to the problem.

The reasons behind America's gun problem are multifaceted and interconnected. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving mental health services, implementing stricter gun control measures, reducing poverty and inequality, and fostering a culture of responsible gun ownership.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

America loves to lecture the world on freedom and democracy. I for one would love to enjoy the freedom of not getting gunned down randomly by some violent individual with a gun or guns.

Get your house in order first before pointing fingers.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Just think. The only companies allowed to produce something that is to kill people are actually exempt from any prosecution or responsibility. So the government have no responsibility. The gun companies have no responsibility, AT ALL. 0% But the mental health department takes aaaaallllllllllllll the blame. The US seems to bne living the movie THE PURGE!.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

> Unfortunately the US is descending into the developing countries standards in many things,

How is the US descending into developing countries' standards such as China's, or Vietnam's or Tonga's, which according to the OECD are defined as developing countries.

That doesn't relate at all to this article.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

And the beat goes on.

We don't need to see the names and faces.

We know.

When people can finally admit a community is broken and needs to be fixed, solutions will come.

But until then, lets blame inanimate objects.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

@Babe Ruth

No one is blaming you.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, an ardent gun-rights advocate, said in remarks to news outlets near the scene that the problem lies not with guns but with criminals.

“We have to figure out what’s going on in our communities,” she said.

I am sure this fool and his boss Youngkin, who might be another Republican candidate for President, will do a lot of "figuring out" what is going on.

https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/202203/report-offers-recommendations-reducing-racial-wealth-gap-virginia

Virginia has its wealthy government contractors all through the suburbs , especially in Fairfax and Loudon County which are probably the richest in the nation. Compare that to other districts and free availability of guns and there you go.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The United States has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the world. 

No, not one of, the US has THE highest rate of civilian gun ownership at nearly 89 guns per 100 people, with Yemen coming in at No 2 with nearly 55 per 100 and Switzerland No 3 at nearly 46 per 100 and Finland No 4 at 44 per 100.

Point is the US has guns, and it's never going to stop. Never! Just get used to it, stop with all the hypocritical BS, admit there is nothing that can be done, and give it up, the US isnt changing for no one. No one cares enough,.

Dont like it, leave...... Oh wait you did, but you still try to justify or find an excuse. There isnt one!

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@What ol' Jack Burton always says Today 02:23 pm JST

It appears the USA is graduating in a downward inward spiral imploding on itself.

We'll always be important enough for you to think and post about, Jack.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The law makers are busy with this instead.

The House Rules Committee began proceedings Monday, ahead of a vote later this week on the "Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act," which would prohibit the federal government from banning the use of gas stoves.18

1 ( +2 / -1 )

How is the US descending into developing countries' standards

By dropping in the rankings out of the range of the developed countries and into the ranks of the developing countries, violence, diversity, public health,

This is nothing new and have been extensively reported

https://theconversation.com/us-is-becoming-a-developing-country-on-global-rankings-that-measure-democracy-inequality-190486

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/six-ways-america-is-like-a-third-world-country-100466/

https://qz.com/879092/the-us-doesnt-look-like-a-developed-country

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I am sure this fool and his boss Youngkin, who might be another Republican candidate for President, will do a lot of "figuring out" what is going on.

Now that you are on politics, I wonder the party of Richmond's mayor and even the guy running the country at the moment. What have they done as far as gun control?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites