Trump says Texas shooting due to 'mental health problem,' not a gun issue

Loneliness is a killer.

Trump says Texas shooting due to 'mental health problem,' not a gun issue

Not a gun issue... just a problem that people with mental health issues can access guns without checks.

Of course it's a bloody gun issue, Trump you moron... every posturing, weak, paranoid person in America over the age when one can legally buy such a weapon is a potential killer. All it takes is for someone to snap and that's it... mass murder... all because Americans have the right to own a lethal weapon for spurious reasons.

Trump said -      "We have a lot of mental health problems in our country, as do other countries. But this isn’t a guns situation ".

Well following that logic, all the "as do other countries" should also have daily multiple gun murders and the far too often mass gun murders - right?

Well no - they don't. No one country begins to approach America's rate. Can only be 2 reasons for this.

America's psycho gun murderers are far more psycho than "other countries" gun murderers.

Or it 's the ubiquitous presence, esp of auto-assault weapons in the hands of civilians.

Or it's both.

Agree why few mass shootings outside the USA. What is the true problem?

Lived in a few countries each had their own problems, mass shootings wasn't one.

Time to face it and it ain't gun related.

With guns being restricted where are the mass murders being done with swords, etc?

They don't exist rest of the world less likely to go off the rails?

I'd go as far to say that the insistence on not blaming and hanging on to gun culture is, in itself, a mental health problem.

Despite the countless deaths and countless more to come - the issue is not being addressed.

There is a mental stumbling block when it comes down to gun control and gun ownership.

When I hear the deafening roars of "right to bear arms" coupled with "patriotism" and "I love my country" it becomes an abstract noise, devoid of any meaning.

It is not mental health. It is that guns make it so easy to kill a lot of people, whether you have mental issues or not. If you come at me with a knife, I have a chance to protect myself, but not with a gun from 10 or 20 meters.

Why does it have to be one or the other?

It can be both

Hmmmm....... I read that Trump has relaxed the rules on gun ownership, now people with mental health issues can buy guns! I really hope that isn't true.

What is it with Americans and guns? Sure, own a pistol, but do you really need a semi-automatic? Anyway, not American, so not my problem.

As I have said elsewhere, every day America gets weaker China becomes stronger.

Yes the killer thought his victims to death. First-rate analysis, Mr President.

He's no Columbo, this Trump feller.

If you have ten minutes for a fresh and different angle, then this is worth a read: Charlie Hoehn, and "Thoughts on Vegas and Why Men Keep Doing This".

In fact, I bet Trump has just been shown it.

https://byrslf.co/thoughts-on-the-vegas-shooting-14af397cee2c

They are basically the same, those issues. But why would they care, for those immoral scum the money gun industry brings in easily substitues hundreds life loses every years.

Why doesn't he just ask Abe why Japan has no mass shootings?

I think a lot of you here would agree, Japan has it's own problems dealing with mental illness. Maybe worse than America, and yet it has zero mass shootings.

It's not rocket science. There may be a lot of other factors, but you can't have gun violence without guns.

Trump is right: https://www.naturalnews.com/2017-10-04-breaking-las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-was-taking-psychiatric-medications-that-increase-killing-behavior-by-45.html

Guns don't kill people, crazy people on psychiatric drugs do.

Wrong people on psychiatric drugs don't kill.

Noticed it for some time you are against psychiatry and related drugs.

As someone suffering from depression the meds cancel out the highs and lows thus allowing us to live an average life. Yes, side effects can be strong but not all meds fit everyone.

"We have a lot of mental health problems in our country, as do other countries. But this isn’t a guns situation," he said. "Fortunately somebody else had a gun that was shooting in the opposite direction.

So, 26 people killed by a loon with a gun and they are praising a vigilante with a gun for defending them. What if the loon that killed all those people didn't have easy access to a gun in the first place? If this was the case, those 26 people would still be a live and there would be no need for a vigilante, would there?

I think he would have found it extremely difficult to kill 26 people with a kitchen knife. The fact he could obtain a gun made it possible for him to kill so many.

No doubt mental illness could have had something to do with his desire to kill. Perhaps free medical care would have done something to alleviate his mental illness. Perhaps the cost of medical treatment in the US is one more contributing factor to such mass murder. Perhaps Republican policy has a lot to answer for with respect to mass shootings.

Guns don't kill people, crazy people on psychiatric drugs do.

It's not surprising at all that almost all mass shooters were on psychiatric drugs. What's surprising is how they were able to get guns.

And while all mass shooters may have been on psychiatric drugs, not all psychiatric drug users become mass shooters. Correlation isn't causation.

Guess didn't happen.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jun/02/geoffreygibbs

A sword knife channel ton of damage in a short time. I had guns pulled in my face but knifes, etc still scare me. Most of the times you will know you are facing a knife AFTER you get stabbed or sliced.

Sorry, they don't get waved around like in movies.

"mental health problem" and wasn't"a guns situation."

Then Donny must also agree it was a pretty stupid idea to sign an executive order allowing folks with mental illness to more easily get their hands on guns. Another brilliant move by the Donster.

https://www.google.co.jp/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amp/trump-signs-bill-revoking-obama-era-gun-checks-people-mental-n727221

Nothing, certainly not the dotard's comments, will change the reality that in a civil society, civilians do not need high powered assault rifles capable of rapid fire.

The NRA has become an extremist organization. As well as buying off politicians, it has even managed to get some of its extremist views accepted in some courts.

Guns don't kill people, crazy people on psychiatric drugs do.

WITH guns...

Drugs, OK, I can buy that to some extent.

But why were they on drugs in the first place? Referred to a psychiatric doctor by their own parents? Probably to suppress something internal that troubled or even scared them themselves. Some people are born 'troubled', and many go from bad to worse. Were/are these drugs being used as a last hope, a last line of defense, I wonder?

For every 100 people, there are never 100 perfect citizens. For such a person to have access to a gun or guns is a scary prospect.

Guns don't kill people, crazy people on psychiatric drugs do.

Guns don't die; people do.

The shooter was an atheist, so President Trump is correct in saying he had a mental disorder. . . .

Texas A

Are you sure about that? The people who don’t believe in the pie in the sky are the nutty ones? He has a disorder called “murdering bastard disease”.

Hes pissed off so he wants everyone to suffer and die with him.

The shooter was an atheist, so President Trump is correct in saying he had a mental disorder. . . .

Texas A... I'm an Athiest and I have no intention of hurting anyone, nor do I have any mental ailment.

The shooter was an atheist, so President Trump is correct in saying he had a mental disorder. . . .

Sounds like what ISIS says.

So, what is the solution? A realistic solution?

We already have laws that say mentally ill people cannot own guns. It is just a lack of enforcement?

Having all guns turned in isn't possible. The criminals won't, so we'll end up with disarmed citizens trying to deal with criminals all being well-armed.

What is a realistic solution?

Well it's a good thing we'll be throwing tens of millions off of health insurance and throwing their mental care benefits out the window.

"We have a lot of mental health problems in our country, as do other countries."

Ok, you admit that other countries have the same mental health problems, so, why don't all these other countries have the same level of gun crime? Join the dots and you get either of two answers.

Either, it is the number of guns and the ease of obtaining the guns.

Or, America has the worst case of mental health.

Apart from Sth America, the USA has the worst figures for gun related homicide in the developed world.

Trump is right. There are some tragedies that can't be stopped. That is until a legal gun owner did here.

clamenza - Don't get upset at all the thumbs-downs you're no doubt going to get on your post here - in fact take it as confirmation that you are correct - Trump is right. The guy was nuts - he was going to kill a bunch of people one way or another.

The guy was nuts - he was going to kill a bunch of people one way or another.

So might as well give him easy access to tools to kill the most number of people possible.

Don't worry. Your guns aren't going anywhere. It's just that not everyone accepts mass shootings as easily as gun owners do. You can't really blame us for seeing a situation like this and hoping something will change, but I understand that there is a large chunk of the population who do not want to see things change if it means it will come between them and their gun.

It was due to a "mental health problem" and wasn't"a guns situation." A son of the gun can say that!

Well, I suppose terrorist acts committed by Muslim extremists are also due to mental problems then.

Yes it is a mental health issue. People who support the sale of semi automatics are crazy.

Wow, that travel ban sure stopped this massacre from happening. Trump has no clue as to what ails America. More Muslim bans won't stop gun massacres in America from happening. Unfortunately, I see it getting worse.

The shooter was an atheist, so President Trump is correct in saying he had a mental disorder. . . . yet many millions have been slaughtered over the millennia in the name of religion

“But,” Trump added, “this isn’t a guns situation.”

“This is a mental health problem at the highest level,” Trump said.

Trump himself is a national mental health problem at the highest level, and his attitude towards guns is deplorable.

We can't take your guns away but I'm working on dismantling your access to mental health care.

That’s white privilege. When the opioid cripples white neighborhood it becomes a national health problem. Otherwise it’s the war on drug.

MrBumNov. 6 06:24 pm JSTWhy doesn't he just ask Abe why Japan has no mass shootings?

I think a lot of you here would agree, Japan has it's own problems dealing with mental illness. Maybe worse than America, and yet it has zero mass shootings.

It's not rocket science. There may be a lot of other factors, but you can't have gun violence without guns.

And it's not rocket science that people can be killed with many other things besides a "gun". You can't have truck killings without a truck. Or knife killings without a knife.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/world/asia/knife-japan-stabbing-sagamihara.html

Trump says Texas shooting due to 'mental health problem

He would know. "Believe me."

Trump does not actually know the state of the gunman's mental health -- but he has handed down his verdict anyway. Stay tuned for the next mass shooting in America.

Get a lode of this:

Texas Church Shooting: Good Samaritan Says Stepping In Was ‘Right Thing’ to Do

https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/texas-church-shooting/texas-church-shooting-good-samaritan-says-stepping-was-right-thing-n817871

Good Samaritan?

Now, I ain't no Christian, but I'm pretty the l Good Samaritan that Jesus talks about, y'know, in the Bible,

wasn't packing f%$$%%ng guns.

See how far the rot has spread....

Guns don't kill people, crazy people on psychiatric drugs do.

Pretty much

Nothing, certainly not the dotard's comments, will change the reality that in a civil society, civilians do not need high powered assault rifles capable of rapid fire.

Some may say that and that's their opinion, but there are thousands that don't think so and love and appreciate or 2nd amendment

The NRA has become an extremist organization.

That would depend on what you call extreme.

As well as buying off politicians, it has even managed to get some of its extremist views accepted in some courts.

Oh, please! The left are masters at buying off politicians, ask Tony Podesta.

To inspire hardcore single issue voters you have to take an absolutist stance on things. The NRA is clear:

American's have the absolute right to freely buy, own and sell automatic and semi-automatic weapons; And have access to a magazine capacity and an amo quality good enough to destroy an army battalion.

To that end, they peddle and probably belief insane crap: like guns don't kill people ( then why own them and not potato peeler?). And Jesus loves guns. (see above)

Fair enough. Here my stance. Its nice and simple:

Ban all automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Ban them now. You can keep your evolvers, pump-action shotguns, and bolt-action rifles.

If you fight me on this. then I go after your revolvers, pump-action shotguns, and bolt-action rifles.

Don't like it? To bad.

The shooter was an atheist, so President Trump is correct in saying he had a mental disorder.

I'd say that someone who unquestioningly believes a lot of made-up nonsense is more likely to have a mental disorder than someone who doesn't.

Trump is correct to say that mental health problems are behind this, but he doesn't propose any solutions. Surely, people with mental health problems should be banned from buying guns. A full psychiatric evaluation should be mandatory for anyone who wants to own a gun.

Investigators have been thoroughly examining shooters military records and circumstance of his discharge froooom military, etch in USA. ; Not guessing at far away in Japan.

Trump praised the Imperial residence architecture, and I'm sure he was amazed at a lot of other things in Japan. With all the time he spent with Abe, didn't he notice one thing? Tokyo is a city of 10 million, yet so safe. Of course the homogenous ethnic makeup may play a part, but Japan's strict gun laws make it impossible for regular citizens to acquire firearms. Trump wants to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. after the NY halloween night shooting. So who will he ban now after Texas and LV?

Serrano - yes, deep down even the outraged here know it’s true. You simply cannot stop guns from getting into the hands of the wrong people in the US. Too large a country with so many open borders. That’s why the Australian comparison is so utterly laughable.

Gun owners rights showed their teeth here.

Ban all automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Ban them now.

And it's not rocket science that people can be killed with many other things besides a "gun". You can't have truck killings without a truck. Or knife killings without a knife.

We're kind of stuck with trucks and knives, them being useful for purposes other than mass murder. Many countries do just fine without guns. Find another hobby.

Bombs and bombings would be a better analogy. Bombs are illegal.

Interesting fact of the day; not one NRA member has committed a mass shooting.

Ever.

Interesting fact of the day; not one NRA member has committed a mass shooting.

Not really interesting at all, and irrelevant when you consider the NRA does everything it can to ensure that the shooters have easy access.

More interesting fact, the NRA used to about preventing any idiot from having a gun.

Not really interesting at all, and irrelevant when you consider the NRA does everything it can to ensure that the shooters have easy access. 

More interesting fact, the NRA used to about preventing any idiot from having a gun.

The NRA is about law abiding citizens being able to defend themselves and others from those who get guns illegally like the creep in Texas.

He saved countless lives.

another interesting fact; the scum bag was very likely an Antifa terrorist

The NRA is about law abiding citizens being able to defend themselves and others from those who get guns illegally like the creep in Texas.

The NRA today is about supporting gun manufacturers and ensuring a booming market for them. They're the reason why the country is awash in guns, and creeps like the one in Texas are able to get them easily despite being unlicensed.

He saved countless lives.

Brave as he was, he couldn't save those 26 lives including children. He wouldn't have had to save anyone if the shooter didn't have access to guns.

another interesting fact; the scum bag was very likely an Antifa terrorist

That's an outright lie from the right-wing social media. There's absolutely no evidence for it. Once again, your right-wing news sources are wrong. Why do you keep going back to them?

You simply cannot stop guns from getting into the hands of the wrong people in the US. Too large a country with so many open borders. That’s why the Australian comparison is so utterly laughable.

The border between the US and Canada is undefended, yet Canada does not have the mass shootings prevalent in the US. This proves that it is possible to stop guns getting into the hands of nutters if the will is there. In the US the will is not there and these shootings will continue.

That’s why the Australian comparison is so utterly laughable. why is it laughable look at all countries that have strong anti-gun laws they rarely have such large masaccres, the statistics speak for themselves, the US is home to 30% of the worlds yearly massacres and yet they're only 5% of the worlds population.

Gun owners rights showed their teeth here. try and take away our guns and well kill more people to prove our point, that ladies and gents says it all right there.

The border between the US and Canada is undefended, yet Canada does not have the mass shootings prevalent in the US. This proves that it is possible to stop guns getting into the hands of nutters if the will is there. In the US the will is not there and these shootings will continue.

Canada doesn’t have South and Central America as a direct neighbor. Canada is also a largely homogeneous society, despite the PC driven diversity propeganda we hear every day.

Big difference between the US and Canada

They must have sighed with relief they can keep up the denial when they found out he was mentally unstable. Well, until you remind them how easy it is for mentally unstable people to get guns thanks to the NRA and Republicans. Oh, and when you remind them that he couldn't have carried this out without the guns.

why is it laughable look at all countries that have strong anti-gun laws

little hint, Australia is an island

MSM is ignoring the fact the Texas killer is a left-wing atheist, but oppsessed with Trump feeding carp.

Also for those in doubt, the black outfit and skullcap the killer was wearing are Antifa uniform.

There is violence in the States. But it’s almost always brought by the left.

Smithinjapan- he had his gun illegally.

Gun owners rights showed their teeth here. try and take away our guns and well kill more people to prove our point, that ladies and gents says it all right there

actually it does say a lot. But not what you think. As I mentioned before, no member of the NRA has committed a mass shooting. Ever.

As has been proven in Texas, guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens saves lives.

There is violence in the States. But it’s almost always brought by the left. tell that to the 100,000s that have dies in Gulf & Afghanistan wars started by Republicans.

As has been proven in Texas, guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens saves lives. and how was that exactly after the gunman finished in the church he fled by car, upon crashing his car he shot himself, no law-abiding citizen stopped this killer he stopped himself. With all the guns that were around during the Las Vegas massacre nobody stopped that killer also, he shot himself. In both massacres almost 90 people weren't saved by law abiding gun owners.

little hint, Australia is an island SO!? you make it sound like all the gun problem in the US are imported from Canada/Mexico. vast majority of guns sold in America are made there, and while you need security checks to buy new weapons many states dont require checks when selling personally owned weapons to others. Also of note vast majority of high powered weapons used by the Mexican drug cartels are smuggled in from America!

As has been proven in Texas, guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens saves lives.

And yet the tally from this one is -26. Doesn't seem like any saving was going on whatsoever.

Wtf - http://nypost.com/2017/11/06/sharpshooting-plumber-fired-shot-that-took-down-texas-church-gunman/amp/

Strangerland. 26, absolutely horrific eh. And the numbers would have been way up had 2 citizens w guns not intervened

There is violence in the States. But it’s almost always brought by the left.

You've been swallowing quite a lot of photoshopped memes in the last day haven't you my dear sponge!

the numbers would have been way up had 2 citizens w guns not intervened

I've never claimed otherwise. I've simply disputed your point that lives were saved, due to the very clear fact that 26 people's lives were not saved at all. They are dead, even after the intervention of the bystanders.

Strangerland- subsequently.

As in countless potential deaths averted.

Pretty easy to understand, yes?

Black Sabbath - Ban all automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Ban them now. You can keep your evolvers, pump-action shotguns, and bolt-action rifles.

If you fight me on this. then I go after your revolvers, pump-action shotguns, and bolt-action rifles.

Don't like it? To bad.

Really? YOU will go after them? With what? It's obvious to me that you do not have the votes to go after them.

If we agree, was he the only crazy person in US.

MSM is ignoring the fact the Texas killer is a left-wing atheist, but oppsessed with Trump feeding carp.

So being a left wing Athiest makes you a killer? Hi... I'm a liberally minded Athiest... I am British, I don't own a gun, I don't LIKE guns despite coming from a military family... am I a potential killer, Clamenza?

I don’t like them either, Thunderbird. Can’t stand being in the same house as one. And although I was born and raised catholic im agnostic at best.

But this nut job is, I fear, indicative of just how intolerant and violent the left wing atheists are in the West.

It’s an increasing problem

USA is a mental gun illness nation and we are benefiting from the exodus of IT companies into Canadian cities. Thanks, I guess.

USA is a mental gun illness nation and we are benefiting from the exodus of IT companies into Canadian cities. Thanks, I guess.

Nice try, but wrong. If IT companies are moving to the Great White North, it (was) because of Trumps Muslim immigration policies and difficulty in obtaining visas for foreign staff.

Canada doesn’t have South and Central America as a direct neighbor. Canada is also a largely homogeneous society, despite the PC driven diversity propeganda we hear every day.

The last two mass shootings in the US, and most others, have been committed by white, Anglo Americans, and had nothing to do with central and south Americans.

Also, the percentage of foreign-born residents in Canada is 20.6%, compared with 13.1% in the US. Canada is actually more diverse than the US.

Its doubtful that things will ever change relating to Guns in the US, they'd have to make a change in their Constitution to do so, which given that the majority government party can't even pass a single law without bickering between themselves, just goes to show how messed up the US is today... and it is not Trump's fault.

I wonder whether buying Ammo is regulated ?

Perhaps if the sale of Ammunition was banned, rather than Guns... then that would get around the Constitutional issue, and sort of fix this issue ?

I wonder if anyone has argued that ammo and arms are two different things ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammunition

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ammunition

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/arms

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/second_amendment

Says nothing about the ammunition that needs to be used in that gun.... you could make your own from constituent parts of course, but purchasing the ready made item does not appear to be included in the US constitution...

I guess someone has already tried this one before... but if you know of any references of them doing so, please advise.

Oh that's it now, blame the mentally/emotionally ill and blame them all as crazies and such. Well, Donny Trumpyboy - who's been preaching ethnic and religious hatred, fighting wars and making a profit from it, name-calling disabled veterans as 'weak', wanting to MARRY your daughter and openly expressing that sick emotion on TV, who's been shooting off the mouth about a puny nation that's isolated from the rest of the world, who's been neglecting hurricane and forest fire relief to the victims, who's been throwing temper tantrums when his effects to destroy needed health care in America keeps getting defeated, who openly sides with violent hatemonger trash, who thinks he's a god - "MENTAL HEALTH", Donny Boy? Look at yourself.

mmwkdw - I wonder whether buying Ammo is regulated ?

Perhaps if the sale of Ammunition was banned, rather than Guns... then that would get around the Constitutional issue, and sort of fix this issue ?

Yes, the sale of ammo is regulated. And yes, Democrat Party gun-banners have tried to ban, register, confiscate, destroy, and tax ammunition out of existence. And they have failed. As you, and the framers of the U.S. BoR, were well aware - mechanical weapons require some form of ammunition to operate. A ban on ammunition is a de facto ban on arms.

As in countless potential deaths averted.

I count 28 deaths that weren’t averted.

Sorry, were you expecting me to buy into your false narrative?

The last two mass shootings in the US, and most others, have been committed by white, Anglo Americans, and had nothing to do with central and south Americans.

Also, the percentage of foreign-born residents in Canada is 20.6%, compared with 13.1% in the US. Canada is actually more diverse than the US.

Scrote - approximately 85% of Canadians are white and a similar European background. The US number is around 72%

And do try to keep up. The South and Central American reference was for the ease with which guns can be smuggled into the states, not shooters.

Strangerland - I could waste my day trying to explain to who does not understand nuance what the facts are.

I would recommend Lamictal and Seroquel.

One would imagine that anyone who carries out these terror attacks are not in the best of mental health.

We're kind of stuck with trucks and knives, them being useful for purposes other than mass murder.

Yes, but now that’s become the weapon of choice these days, so I think they should be banned and we use bicycles instead.

Many countries do just fine without guns. Find another hobby.

And the US does well with them, the shooter is dead because of it. Also, I can’t shoot dear with a fork or knife.

Bombs and bombings would be a better analogy. Bombs are illegal.

So is heroin, but people still buy and use it. Sugar and salt are bad for you, but people use it. You’re making an apples to peaches argument.

And do try to keep up. The South and Central American reference was for the ease with which guns can be smuggled into the states, not shooters.

There is no need to smuggle guns into the US when they can be bought there legally. Also, given that the US-Canada border is unguarded, why aren't guns from the US flooding into Canada? Why are there no mass shootings in Canada? Your arguments make no sense. If guns were banned in the US mass shootings would reduce. It really is that simple.

If guns were banned in the US mass shootings would reduce. It really is that simple.

Really? That will automatically stop all violence from those who want to do us harm?

It really isn't that simple. At all.

the fatal shot to the head was by his own making, while he had 3 gunshot wound we know a shooter can easily keep on shooting until he is fatality shot as was shown in this case.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/06/us/texas-church-shooting/index.html

Strangerland. 26, absolutely horrific eh. And the numbers would have been way up had 2 citizens w guns not intervened. like Vegas where gun ownership is rife, and one of the band members who is pro gun and even carrying said it was totally useless as if he was showing a firearm he most probably would have been shot by police. The thing with guns you can take them in enclosed spaces or barricade yourself in and reek havoc.

Now just imagine if he had chained the doors shut on the church (has been done before) preventing those outside from coming in, he could have finished off all those in the church unimpeded. The death toll would have been much higher. Biggest difference between Vegas and Texas is the Vegas shooter was carefully planned and there was very little law enforcement or locals could do to stop him quickly

Really? That will automatically stop all violence from those who want to do us harm? of course you can stop all violence, but you can reduce the number of mass shooting dramatically by banning high powered full auto semi auto weapons. Australia still has guns but your limited to single shot bolt action with 5~or 6 bullet magazines max. since 1995 ban there have been no mass shootings in Australia before 1995 there were multiple.

this nut job is, I fear, indicative of just how intolerant and violent the left wing atheists are

First he's ISIS-inspired, then when it's found out he's the wrong colour it must be because he's a 'violent left wing atheist'.

He was obviously violent, and it seems he was a very disturbed individual; there were 'charges of animal cruelty, mental health concerns, investigations for domestic assault, threats against his family members and a motorcycle crash that left him with lingering physical pain'. He apparently escaped from a mental health facility 5 years ago, 'after he was caught sneaking guns onto an Air Force base “attempting to carry out death threats” against military superiors'.

Yet it was obviously ridiculously easy for him to get his hands on not just one, but an arsenal of lethal weapons. It seems the Air Force could perhaps do a bit more to keep an eye on its discharged vets, especially the deranged ones.

Kelley, with a history of domestic violence, was apparently at loggerheads with his mother-in-law, and police are speculating that he went to the church intending to shoot her.

Really? That will automatically stop all violence from those who want to do us harm?

No, not all violence. But it would certainly cut down on mass-shootings, accidental gun-related deaths and suicides.

Is it your opinion that it's no use trying to do anything unless you can be guaranteed 100% total success rate every time? If it is, why on earth do you even bother getting out of bed in the morning? You know you aren't going have a perfect day, so why not just stay where you are? You'll get absolutely nothing done, but you seem to think that's better than at least trying to make things better.

First he's ISIS-inspired, then when it's found out he's the wrong colour it must be because he's a 'violent left wing atheist'.

ISIS-inspired is de rigueur for the insane left

cleo - This year, gun-controlled Chicago is nearing 600 (six hundred!) homicides for the 2nd time since 2003.

Why is it liberal critics almost never mention this?

Why is it liberal critics almost never mention this?

States next to Illinois have slack gun laws, and no border control, allowing guns to flow in with ease. Why is it Republican pundits never mention this?

This year, gun-controlled Chicago is nearing 600 (six hundred!) homicides for the 2nd time since 2003.

*When it comes to gun laws, big cities are only as strong as the states that border them. And in Chicago’s case, that’s Indiana. Thanks to Vice President Mike Pence, the former governor, Indiana has *some of the weakest gun laws in the nation.

(And when the nation is the US, that seems to be saying quite something: translated into terms those of us in civilised countries, where we don't have regular shoot-ups, can understand, it means, basically, no gun laws. Even kids can buy a firearm, with parental consent. Crazy gone mad.)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-gun-control-chicago-dahleen-glanton-20171003-story.html

Fill a sink with water. Take a colander. The colander is empty. Put the colander in the sink. Now you've got a colander full of water. Chicago is a colander.

Wrong. Chicago is the perfect (and by perfect, I mean worst) example of what happens when you deny the right of self-defense to law-abiding citizens.

Chicago is the perfect (and by perfect, I mean worst) example of what happens when you deny the right of self-defense to law-abiding citizens.

Nah, Chicago is the perfect example of why letting your citizens arm themselves is a mistake.

Trump is correct. The only legally bought gun involved the event was the one used to shoot the shooter. Take that away, and the death toll would have been higher.

But facts are one thing, talking points another...

But facts are one thing, talking points another... yes it is true that removing full auto semi auto weapons from the public has a dramatic reduction in the number of mass shooting massacres

It is the guns stupid. Japan has 30.000 suicides a year, lots of mental cases out there. But no

mass shootings. Zero. Why would that be, oh let me see, could it be SATAN? No, but is the

handiwork of Satan buddy the NRA. Guns are the reason mass shootings are so high in the USA

and that is the only reason.

The United States has 270 million guns and had 90 mass shooters from 1966 to 2012.

No other country has more than 46 million guns or 18 mass shooters

The top-line numbers suggest a correlation that, on further investigation, grows only clearer.

Americans make up about 4.4 percent of the global population but own 42 percent of the world’s guns. From 1966 to 2012, 31 percent of the gunmen in mass shootings worldwide were American, according to a 2015 study by 

A 2015 study estimated that only 4 percent of American gun deaths could be attributed to mental health issues. And Mr. Lankford, in an email, said countries with high suicide rates tended to have low rates of mass shootings — the opposite of what you would expect if mental health problems correlated with mass shootings.

America’s gun homicide rate was 33 per million people in 2009, far exceeding the average among developed countries. In Canada and Britain, it was 5 per million and 0.7 per million, respectively, which also corresponds with differences in gun ownership.

More gun ownership corresponds with more gun murders across virtually every axis: among developed countries, among American states, among American towns and cities and when controlling for crime rates. And gun control legislation tends to reduce gun murders, according to a recent analysis of 130 studies from 10 countries.

This suggests that the guns themselves cause the violence

If guns were banned in the US mass shootings would reduce. It really is that simple.

Really? That will automatically stop all violence from those who want to do us harm?

I didn't claim it would stop all violence, but a gun on bans would obviously reduce gun violence. Or do you think that banning guns would somehow increase gun violence?

easy access to gun is the major factor to causing all these killings. whoever do not believe so, time to

wake up.

Ban all automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Ban them now

More gun ownership corresponds with more gun murders across virtually every axis: among developed countries, among American states, among American towns and cities and when controlling for crime rates. And gun control legislation tends to reduce gun murders, according to a recent analysis of 130 studies from 10 countries. unfortunately from pressure from the NRA, Congress funding for the study on gun violence is banned. cant have those statistics from foreign countries confirmed by US academics also.

We're kind of stuck with trucks and knives, them being useful for purposes other than mass murder. Yes, but now that’s become the weapon of choice these days,

cant take a truck into a Wallmart , Church, school or hotel room. try that massacre with a knife and see how quickly your stopped. US homicide rate per capita is around 33 per million, thats 6~7 times higher than other developed countries with strong gun control laws. why is that !? is it that Americans are genetically more violent than other countries or is it something to do with the number of weapons easily available!?

cant take a truck into a Wallmart , Church, school or hotel room.

Nope, but you can take it onto crowded streets in cities like Nice and kill 87 with nearly 500 injured.

Nope, but you can take it onto crowded streets in cities like Nice and kill 87 with nearly 500 injured. and yet the vast majority of massacres are still with guns. around 90 people a day in the US are killed by guns.

Highest per capita rate of any first world country. Ban trucks from society your economy would stop, ban guns and you've got a safer society, common sense really

The desire to kill 26 people, mostly children, is obviously a demonstration of a mental problem.

The ability to kill 26 people demonstrates a problem with a ready access to rapid fire, highly deadly firearms.

The inability and unwillingness of the nominal leader of the US to understand such a simple issue is very disturbing.

ban guns and you've got a safer society, common sense really

Nope. Quite the opposite, actually.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/jlpp/Vol30_No2_KatesMauseronline.pdf

A big read, yes. So let me spare you some time and cut to the conclusion

the bur‐ den of proof rests on the proponents of the more guns equal more death and fewer guns equal less death mantra, espe‐ cially since they argue public policy ought to be based on that mantra.149 To bear that burden would at the very least require showing that a large number of nations with more guns have more death and that nations that have imposed stringent gun controls have achieved substantial reductions in criminal violence (or suicide). But those correlations are not observed when a large number of nations are compared across the world.

America just doesn’t understand that banning guns makes for a safer society.

You can only really pity them at this point. And hope no one you know gets shot.

strangeland:

America just doesn’t understand that banning guns makes for a safer society.merica just doesn’t understand that banning guns makes for a safer society.

I don´t understand it either. Can you explain? With facts, rather than talking points?

I don´t understand it either. Can you explain? With facts, rather than talking points?

Sure.

Fact: People can't shoot each other if they do not have access to guns

Fact: Take away guns, people cannot shoot each other

Fact: Australia took away the guns, and almost no one shoots each other

Fact: Americans will try to claim these are not facts.

Strangerland- those are useless opininated talking points WilliB asked you not to give.

Heh, typical right-winger. I don't like that fact, so I'm going to pretend it's not a fact. But this opinion, it's a fact!

Well this argument is over and I’ve seen the light!

I can not argue with these well- researched peer reviewed facts!

I humbly retract my previously cited Harvard study.

So would most politicians be for increasing mental health care funding (that was cut during the Reagan years ) ? You have to wonder.

Highest per capita rate of any first world country.

Does Russia count as a first world country these days ? They have a higher murder rate than the US. Otherwise I think this is true...

A big read, yes. So let me spare you some time and cut to the conclusion dont need to conclude anything, statistics clearly show Americas homicide rate by firearms is far higher than any country that has strict firearm control laws. 30% of all world mass murders by firearms are done in America, a country with just 5% of the worlds population. No murders wont stop if they ban guns, but to insinuate that the presence of guns prevents violent crime is false

The US homicide rate is minuscule compared to African, South American and Caribbean rates. oh ok now where comparing countries with constant civil wars and third world countries where corruption and poverty is high.

Fact: Australia took away the guns, and almost no one shoots each other

Strangerland - Actually Australia today has basically the same amount of guns today as it had at the time of Port Arthur massacre.

Australians own as many guns as in 1996:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-14/australians-own-as-many-guns-as-in-1996/4463150

oh ok now where comparing countries with constant civil wars and third world countries where corruption and poverty is high.

wtfJapan - So you would agree then that there are other factors that are much more important in determining homicide rates than gun ownership?

Highest per capita rate of any first world country. Ban trucks from society your economy would stop, ban guns and you've got a safer society, common sense really

wtfJapan - So in other words a trivial difference, I mean at most the difference on a per capita rate for gun deaths is 10 per 100,000 or one hundredth of one percent. So the USA has hundreds of millions of guns and sells billions of rounds of ammunition to civilians each year and as a result it increases the morality of the entire population by one hundredth of one percent on an annual basis.....Then you factor in that the USA is actually average when it comes to the overall suicide rate and that it is only the overall homicide rate where the USA is really leading the pack. The gun homicide rate of the USA is 3 per 100,000 or three thousandths of one percent. So again the USA has hundreds of millions of guns in circulation and sells billions of rounds of ammunition to the civilian population and as a result of that it increases the populations mortality from homicide by a rate of three thousandths of one percent.....

When you talk about banning guns are you also talking about banning guns for law enforcement and the military? If not then would it be fair to say that you could ban private ownership of trucks and only allow public ownership of trucks? If so then couldn't you still have an economy if you allowed public ownership of trucks but banned the private ownership of trucks?