Why is it easy for Americans to go into a shooting rampage? Is it because firearms are allowed?

Question

Or because the society needs some kind of treatment? I mean, look at Columbine shooting, and then another one committed by a Korean student, not to mention some incidents that did not make into headlines.

Answer 1

That's a good question, and like all complex issues there are several contributing factors. First, you should recognize that other countries have had similar incidents (Germany and Australia come to mind), despite a much more restrictive environment on firearms. The U.S. tends to dominate news, and so gets the greater publicity.

I don't believe the answer is primarily because firearms are allowed. Let's go back to 50 years ago when a significantly greater percentage of homes had firearms in them - and mass killings like Columbine were unknown. Or - let's look at Switzerland, where the majority of military age males are required to keep a true assault rifle (full-auto capability) and ammunition in their home. No mass killings there that I'm immediately aware of.

In my opinion (OK, it's just my opinion!) the greatest blame goes not to the 2nd amendment, but the 1st. We allow movies, TV, and a host of video games to celebrate violence without consequences, and parents hook their kids up to the electronic babysitters for hours on end. Over the past 40 years there have been over 200 studies that document the effect of violent movies/TV on the aggressive behavior of children, but nothing is done about it. There is enough documentation that you can confidently say that exposure to violence on TV increases violence in juveniles.

Then there's the copycat factor...the media say they carefully consider the facts and public interest...and then gleefully fill the airwaves for weeks with coverage of every mass killing - thereby giving the deranged perpetrators exactly what they wanted, and encouraging the other idiots out there.

Another contributing factor is that our society has decided that we shouldn't lock up crazy people - they need to be integrated into the community, blah, blah, blah. I retired from a medium sized police department after 31 years, and I can tell you without equivocation that our society pretty much offers absolutely no way of controlling the mentally ill. Warehousing was cruel, no doubt - but it did protect society, and at least provided housing and food for the insane.

Sorry, I probably gave you more than you wanted!

Answer 2

Many blacks have been in this country far longer than the more recent immigrants, and black culture over the years actually has become the mainstream culture. For example, certain music styles, such as Jazz, and rock and roll, were created by blacks and became part of American culture. You mention Italians and Irish. Italians do hold on to their culture, think about all the pizzerias, that is considered an "American" food, yet they created that, then what about certain stereotypical Italian names, such as Joey, Maria, etc, they are not ostracized because of it. My point is that all the cultural groups in America have contributed to what you consider "mainstream" American culture. Each culture also has bad or negative aspects to work on and improve, but you seem to think that if a black person experiences racism, its because they have a "unique" name, speak Ebonics or dresses like a thug. Do you honestly think that a well dressed, well spoken, well educated black person never will experience it? No matter how much you assimilate, if someone does not like a black person, it will not matter.

Answer 3

Yes. It is because firearms are allowed. But even if they weren't I'm sure they would find ways to get guns. Just like drugs.

I think it could be because society is so ****** up now-a-days.

Answer 4

no, its because we use the honor system. the student at VT legally was not allowed to buy a gun, he lied on the paper he filled out. no one fact-checks those papers. we trust people to not lie.
and also because parents do not watch their children. many of the school shootings have had guns used that the shooters parents owned.
we also have a huge issue with illegal gun sales.

Answer 5

the virginia tech shooting was by someone who had was known to suffer from mental illness. parents just need to try and pay more attention to their kids, and to teach them that solving their problems with violence will just get their @sses locked up in jail. it would also help if they hid their weapons, and made sure that their kids couldn't get at them.

Answer 6

No, it is because the 2nd amendment is being violated and citizens cannot carry guns.

Answer 7

Why are you asking such a question? E-mail me if you want to discuss this.