Why are school shootings a sole unique American problem?

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SomeDisciple

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2021
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#61
in nz, they used to have firearms training for boys aged 12 when they would be conscripted to join the army.
Huh!? how does conscription work in NZ? Is that just like... registration or something? Or are you talking about pre-WW2 stuff?
I guess in the US that dont happen.
Not exactly. We have what we call "selective service" and no one is eligible to be "drafted" into the armed forces until they are 18. And people have not been drafted for decades. I think 16 year olds used to be able to enlist at one point- and I have no doubt that 12 year olds were taught how to use a rifle by their fathers; but I'm pretty sure they weren't compelled to join the military.
Anyone can use a gun?
Ideally everyone would learn how to safely handle and maintain a rifle; or at least all the men and boys. Obviously if there is person who has a history of bad behavior- like violent criminal convictions, they are usually excluded.
Or US people are idiots.
Yes. Some.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,491
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#63
Huh!? how does conscription work in NZ? Is that just like... registration or something? Or are you talking about pre-WW2 stuff?

Not exactly. We have what we call "selective service" and no one is eligible to be "drafted" into the armed forces until they are 18. And people have not been drafted for decades. I think 16 year olds used to be able to enlist at one point- and I have no doubt that 12 year olds were taught how to use a rifle by their fathers; but I'm pretty sure they weren't compelled to join the military.

Ideally everyone would learn how to safely handle and maintain a rifle; or at least all the men and boys. Obviously if there is person who has a history of bad behavior- like violent criminal convictions, they are usually excluded.

Yes. Some.
We have the ROTC in high school nationwide now. These kids work with wooden rifles and can be trained in shooting and go to the range.

I was in the boy scouts and the camp I went to in the summer had a shooting range and they have a merit badge for riflery. Most kids learn to shoot from their parents when they go hunting.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
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#65
Why does it happen in America at a much larger rate than the rest of the world?
Blame the media for going on and on and on about every incident (thus making copy cat incidents a reality), the feckless politicians who refuse to do everything to make schools safe, and the police forces who fail to do their jobs. The shooters are generally nut cases or drugged out characters, whose history is well-know before each incident, but no action is taken.

The politicians at all levels -- local, state, and federal -- had ample funds to design a NATIONAL school safety plan which would be implemented in absolutely every school fifty years ago. But all they did was talk after each incident to show how wonderful they are and how much they care.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,668
1,098
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#66
in nz, they used to have firearms training for boys aged 12 when they would be conscripted to join the army.

I guess in the US that dont happen. Anyone can use a gun?
Or US people are idiots. They create the problem, then blame others for their poor behaviour.
I can't say I can get behind the mandatory military service. That's basically slavery
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#68
Ah okay.
God bless you and your family and may you always be safe and healthy.
I'll admit, as a Canadian, I don't fully understand the issue in the US, where I now live. Of course there are fairly strict limits on guns in Canada. I have no issue with people having a right to protect their family and home. The issue lies in the fact that everyone has that right, unless they are red flagged. This past week a young worker at Wal-mart went berserk and shot his co-workers. Several were killed. He got the gun legally. The last I heard he had no priors. The question becomes how to weed out these people. People that have a mental issue, someone with a grudge. It's not fair to take the rights away from law abiding people. It is a tangle that I honestly don't know how it can be fixed. Without God, people have no hope and life means nothing to them. I don't really know if there is possible change outside of that.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#69
I can't say I can get behind the mandatory military service. That's basically slavery

Both my nephews are in the JORTC I'm so proud of both of them. They are trying already to get the oldest to enlist. I believe they help with college if you do sign up. We have told the eldest to wait and see what happens with Russia before he considers service, for obvious reasons.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,491
6,680
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#70
I'll admit, as a Canadian, I don't fully understand the issue in the US, where I now live. Of course there are fairly strict limits on guns in Canada. I have no issue with people having a right to protect their family and home. The issue lies in the fact that everyone has that right, unless they are red flagged. This past week a young worker at Wal-mart went berserk and shot his co-workers. Several were killed. He got the gun legally. The last I heard he had no priors. The question becomes how to weed out these people. People that have a mental issue, someone with a grudge. It's not fair to take the rights away from law abiding people. It is a tangle that I honestly don't know how it can be fixed. Without God, people have no hope and life means nothing to them. I don't really know if there is possible change outside of that.
I don't think there is any way to eliminate 100%, but there is a relatively simple way to eliminate 80%. In the case of the Walmart shooting it wouldn't have stopped that. But the vast majority of shootings in this country are from gang bangers. It would be a straightforward to eliminate the majority of shootings by anyone with a felony and anyone who can't pass the licensing requirements and to immediately realize you have a problem with someone who has a gun the minute they have to seek help from a mental health professional or have some red flag issue with the police, job or family.

If you are required to have liability insurance with a gun and to show proof of insurance when you buy ammo or guns or other items related to guns the insurance company would be notified immediately in the event you are buying something and with their computer system they could flag an account if there is a red flag. In addition you can get a discount on your insurance if you give them access to your mental health records.

Once you do this you have company with massive resources and a financial interest in preventing a liability with a shooting.

But even more if a person with a felony has a gun they now have two violations: gun without a license and a gun without insurance. Also it becomes much more difficult for them to buy ammunition since they don't have proof of insurance. Also the people the gangs use to buy guns for them couldn't do it again. No insurance company is going to be on the hook when one of these guys wants to buy 25 guns.

Then when there is a shooting it will be much easier to trace the gun. Right now we don't have computerized registry of guns because it is thought to violate the constitution. However, all the various insurance companies could. So you have a shooting, you do the study on the bullet and casing, then you subpoena all the insurance companies to check their records and find the gun. You would know within hours.

Also when they do trace the gun back to one of these mules they will say the gun was stolen. Well if you have insurance you would have to advise the insurance company immediately. Some guy buys 25 guns and then a week later tells the insurance company that all 25 got stolen? That is that, no insurance company will work with this guy again and they will identify the gun shop as being a store used in supplying guns for gangs.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,668
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#71
Both my nephews are in the JORTC I'm so proud of both of them. They are trying already to get the oldest to enlist. I believe they help with college if you do sign up. We have told the eldest to wait and see what happens with Russia before he considers service, for obvious reasons.
I imagine a lot of people are probably hesitant to enlist right now seeing as how we are on the verge of world war III
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,491
6,680
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#72
I imagine a lot of people are probably hesitant to enlist right now seeing as how we are on the verge of world war III
But why? Our world leaders like Pelosi and Biden love us. Not all of us of course, not the domestic terrorists that voted for Trump, or those that question Biden, but the good people.

Screen Shot 2022-11-26 at 1.48.01 PM.png
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,668
1,098
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#73
But why? Our world leaders like Pelosi and Biden love us. Not all of us of course, not the domestic terrorists that voted for Trump, or those that question Biden, but the good people.

View attachment 245900
The redness of this red herring is really red
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,767
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#74
said a carnal unbeliever?:unsure::):coffee:
 

Moses_Young

Well-known member
Sep 15, 2019
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#76
I can't say I can get behind the mandatory military service. That's basically slavery
Probably the first time I have fully agreed with you. Forcing someone to do something against his will is slavery. Or rape. Or some other similar crime. I don't know how anyone can think differently.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
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#77
WW2 would have ended far differently had there not been a huge war effort with conscription against the demonic evil of Hitler, Tojo, Mussolini.
 

Moses_Young

Well-known member
Sep 15, 2019
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#78
WW2 would have ended far differently had there not been a huge war effort with conscription against the demonic evil of Hitler, Tojo, Mussolini.
I don't think the ends justifies the means. Using slavery to win a "righteous war" is no more justified that using rape to "fill the Earth" and subdue it. (No offense intended, though, friend. I have much respect for your perspective).
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
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1,098
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#79
Yep, from what I read in the Bible the blood will be waste deep
Maby but none of that speaks to my original point that probably the reason people are hesitant to enlist right now is the whole not trying to die thing
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
36,491
6,680
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#80
Maby but none of that speaks to my original point that probably the reason people are hesitant to enlist right now is the whole not trying to die thing
Previously you had a choice and if there was subscription and you refused you would go to jail. I suspect prior to this upcoming war they won't waste time and will simply execute you.