mojo84 wrote:If you don't know it, why argue about it?
I'll break it down a bit from my point of view:
We're discussing, not arguing. You've shifted the tone unnecessarily as I didn't disagree with you. Arguing would at least require disagreement. You said we don't know if better background checks would have prevented this. I agreed with you, but indicated we may figure that out later. No argument from me.
Be aware - I can discuss an issue - likely either side, fairly dispassionately. I believe discussion is part of what this forum is about.
mojo84 wrote:
Where did I say anything about arming everyone?
"....prepare to deal with them appropriately.."
I assumed that meant we should all be ready to defend ourselves if necessary. You didn't say "arm" anyone - but generally being prepared, in the context of this forum, generally means armed. Totally my supposition, within limited context. My apologies if I got it wrong, no insult was intended.
mojo84 wrote:
I'm sick of people thinking more laws and background check are going to prevent this crap. How about the car the guy drove over there in? He could have killed just as many or more with it.
Since we're picking nits, I never said anything about more laws. I indicated that the current system is fairly ineffective in regard to dealing with mental illness. I did expect to be fairly skewered for suggesting that it doesn't work very well, but the reality is that it's essentially an "honor box" in most cases and I'm not sure such makes sense when dealing with the mentally ill. I'd rather reform it - that is remove it and start over. Not pile on. Glad you asked.
I do think that effective background checks could stop some cases.. not all, but some. In combination with other changes, it could be more effective - but making those changes in a manner that is effective and non-restrictive for most law-biding Americans is tricky.
mojo84 wrote:
The answer is to start eliminating these idiots immediately before they do the damage they want to do. Not create more burden for the law abiding.
See, I attempted to guess in context above and got it wrong, so I'm trying not to jump to a conclusion here... You'll have to tell me what you actually mean.
mojo84 wrote:
People need to use some basic common sense. If it helps one visualise how well more or stricter gun laws would work, look at the thriving illegal drug trade.
I agree that our war on drugs is disgraceful, wasteful, ineffective, and probably immoral in some cases.
I never said more gun laws. I said more effective around the context of mental illness. If that makes things a little more strict than allowing an individual to decide if they're mentally ill or not, I'll stand accused of suggesting a more strict policy, even though I don't have a specific solution.
mojo84 wrote:
I'm getting fed up with the idiocy.
That's OK, mojo, I've been called worse. It is a bit ironic that most of what what we're discussing above we totally agree on. My apologies if I read into your suggestion that we be ready for this stuff as arming everyone.