Boy, 5, shot in his bedroom in NYC

Police are investigating how a 5-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder in his home in The Bronx, New York City, Friday, authorities said.

The boy's mother and father were in their bedroom in Morrisania when they heard a pop noise shortly after 10:30 a.m., police said.

They rushed to their 5-year-old son's room and found him shot.

Police said it was not clear if the boy accidentally shot himself or if his 11-year-old brother accidentally shot him.

The father drove the boy to nearby Lincoln Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

The investigation was continuing.

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How can this be. I thought guns were banned in NY.

  • 46 votes
#1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:15 AM EST

Just enough info to mention child shot, but not enough to figure out how and why, Now that is frustrating. Either way, an irresponsible gun owner, for not having it locked up, and it is illegal to own. Now that should stir up the ire of gun control/restriction/law advocates. While proving how those won't stop any folks who desire to, from breaking such. Because one can't control a brain ultimately.

Sure hope the little fella recovers quickly and other people who read about this will make sure their guns are secure.Of course some still won't take any pro active measures, while others might.

  • 18 votes
#1.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:37 AM EST
Comment author avatardman-353357Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

It never fails. Gun Story leads to a gun nut comment.

As O'l George W. would say, "Mission Accomplished".

  • 16 votes
#1.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:58 AM EST
Comment author avatarNever Stop Asking QuestionsExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Maybe the NRA's strategy is to assume that, after hearing about 30,000 murders per year, that we will ultimately glaze over with these stories.

Solutions are complicated, but, why in God's name can't the NRA at least admit that there is a gun problem in this country?

  • 20 votes
#1.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:55 AM EST

Because it's not a gun problem, it's a violence problem.

  • 40 votes
#1.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:03 AM EST

Never Stop Asking Questions - Really, you like the media totally ignore the times that a gun is used to protect peoples lives.....it is not a gun problem it is a lack of intelligence and a criminal problem.

  • 33 votes
#1.10 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:20 AM EST
Comment author avatarNever Stop Asking QuestionsExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Spoken like a neo-Yosemite Sam, Truett.

You don't blush after making such assertions?

  • 9 votes
#1.11 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:31 AM EST

Why do people insist on repeating stupid remarks? From what I could gather from the story another child has been shot with an unsecured gun.

  • 11 votes
#1.12 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:34 AM EST

TruettCollins

It's not a gun problem? Well you're half right.. I mean, the NRA's Wayne LaPierre had a 'mental' illness that prevented him from going to Vietnam.. and he just recently said "Mental illness is the only problem" The way I see it, the gun violence is a combination of many things, which includes GUNS as well. If there wasn't a gun, the child in question would not have been shot

  • 11 votes
#1.13 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:35 AM EST
Comment author avatarNever Stop Asking QuestionsExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

But for the gun, the boy would not have been shot.

We have a gun problem in this country.

  • 18 votes
#1.14 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:36 AM EST

Did they buy the gun legally? Is there a criminal history with one of the parents? What nut would make it accessible to their kids?? What is the story?

  • 11 votes
#1.16 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:40 AM EST

Why is this national news?

  • 22 votes
#1.17 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:42 AM EST

It's about time and never stop asking:

Do you think if there was a gun ban in this country all the lowlifes, irresponsible gun owners and criminals will turn their guns in?

  • 18 votes
#1.18 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:43 AM EST

Never Stop... the NRA won't admit there is a gun problem because.... there is a PEOPLE problem. We glorify violence in movies (Stallone's latest for instance), in music, on tv and give free passes to criminals who VIOLATE the law.... where did this gun come from in NYC? Don't they have the strictist laws around to PREVENT THIS?

We have cut mental health spending to the point that lunatics just get a few pills and a pillow for a day or two and are sent home.

Will the parents or whoever allowed this child or his sibling access to the gun be demonized, held out as monsters and nuts like Adam Lanza'd mother was? Because I don't think it's legal for kids to own or buy guns anymore is it? And on that.. who will pay for the kid's medical care?

And one last little note... wasn't there a school incident in China a couple weeks before Sandy Hook where a guy used a knife or box cutter on 22 kids????? Lunatics will kill, maim or hurt some way....

But enough on that... pray for the child. Pray for the sibling who may have accidently shot him... and hope the injuries weren't very bad... since NBC didn't go into detail there either.......

  • 5 votes
#1.19 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:48 AM EST

Never Stop Asking Questions -

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/23/houston-man-21-shoots-intruder-during-home-invasion/?test=latestnews

And I know that if not for a gun in the house that my wife was taught how to use she nor my daughter would be with us today. It happens all the time that Guns protect, but people like you want to give free reign to the criminal wanting us to just lay down and allow them to have their way. Now before you go saying that if guns were ban the criminals would not have them....do a little research and tell me just how the ban on drugs is going......

  • 20 votes
#1.20 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:49 AM EST

I agree, Steve. It is because every possible effort to demonize the Second Amendment is taken by the MSM, and it will be easily absorbed by the low information voter.

  • 14 votes
#1.21 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:52 AM EST

ItsAboutTime-3704531 What uniform did Clinton or Obama put on?

  • 10 votes
#1.23 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:05 AM EST

Responsible gun owners MUST be held criminally accountable when their guns are improperly used.

  • 8 votes
#1.24 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:10 AM EST

If you own a gun, it's not a good idea to keep it in your kids bedroom. The iirresponsible, the stupid, the careless should not be allowed to own guns along with the crazy and criminal. One instance of idiocy should lose a person their right to own guns forever. Shoot a skunk at a kids party and it turns out to be a girl instead - no more guns for you, you drunk azz idiot! Your gun accidentally goes off and you hit your neighbor across the road? Take that careless jerk's guns away! Your kids find your guns and shoot each other - no more guns for you!

I"ve owned guns for nearly 40 years and amazingly, not once has it gone off accidentally, nor has it ever shot another person because I treat it exactly like what it is, a gun, a weapon designed for killing.

  • 15 votes
#1.25 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:13 AM EST

How can this be. I thought guns were banned in NY.

You thought wrong.

Why is this national news?

Because every person who has a gun and children at home needs to be reminded how dangerous it can be, to bring a gun into your home.

The chances that your gun will be used to shoot someone that you know is much greater than the chance that your gun will be used to shoot a stranger who is committing a crime in your home. Just saying ...

  • 8 votes
#1.26 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:15 AM EST

Another fine example of "responsible" gun ownership....

  • 10 votes
#1.27 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:20 AM EST

It's simple. If the gun was one of the parents. Put them both in prison for being complete idiots and unfit to even have children.

  • 3 votes
#1.29 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:27 AM EST

How can this be. I thought guns were banned in NY.

Yes, guns are banned in NY; toy guns! Real guns are allowed. I am sorry that this little boy got shot, but that is what happens when gun owners are irresponsible. I certainly hope the parents learned that gun safety is a first priority in the home if they want to keep their boys safe.

  • 4 votes
#1.30 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:31 AM EST

dman-353357

It never fails. Gun Story leads to a gun nut comment.

As O'l George W. would say, "Mission Accomplished".

More like every shooting story leads to some gun grabbing libtard demanding that the government strip Americans of their Second Amendment rights.

As Rahm Emanuel would say, "Never let a good crisis go to waste."

  • 6 votes
#1.31 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:36 AM EST

"Police said it was not clear if the boy accidentally shot himself or if his 11-year-old brother accidentally shot him."

Since they both clearly had access to a loaded gun. Great job, Parents.

  • 11 votes
#1.32 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:41 AM EST

Neverstopasking, I think you make some good, valid and responsible points. however, please use a different analogy. i hate to see anyone sully the reputation of a geat american like yosemite sam. thanks.

  • 1 vote
#1.33 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:44 AM EST
freedsfsDeleted

NEWS should broken in two : STUPID news and NEWS ,

Why in the name of GUNS kids have guns in their bedroom ?(I know the article doesn't say that sarcasm) .

For cry out loud ,why are guns at reach of children ,PARENTS( so called) should pray the price JAIL TIME.........

Here is no room for debating about guns.......

  • 2 votes
#1.37 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:14 AM EST

and if not for a gun in the house my wife and 12 year old daughter would have been raped and most likey dead. Then what would the results have been if not for a gun on these:

Yes gun in the reach of a parents not children.........

  • 3 votes
#1.38 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:16 AM EST

young gang member playing with his gun.

Mom and dad should be so proud.

  • 9 votes
#1.39 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:20 AM EST

Maybe the NRA's strategy is to assume that, after hearing about 30,000 murders per year, that we will ultimately glaze over with these stories.

False.

The number of FIREARM HOMICIDES is roughly 15,000 a year. That includes lawful homicides.

Now, here are some FACTS:

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6089353/ns/health-addictions/t/alcohol-linked-us-deaths-year/#.USZWAvKjKM0

Alcohol linked to 75,000 U.S. deaths a year

Third leading cause of mortality, government study finds

AND:

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1103.pdf

33,808 deaths in 2009 from motor vehicles.

.

  • 6 votes
#1.40 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:22 AM EST
Ashley-69Deleted

bambi@12 - It is an education thing. In our community you could go into any home as I was growing up and see guns hanging on the wall or set in the corner and we never had a problem of kids getting a hold of them. Kids were taught the dangers of guns and the proper use of guns, a gun was not a hidden mystery to try and figure out, and it was understood by the children that they were a tool and they understood their use.

Then I guess you also missed this link......

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/07/02/14-year-old-boy-shoots-armed-intruder-i-home/

  • 5 votes
#1.42 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:32 AM EST

Ashley-69

Obviously not. If you have a gun in your home, you are statistically, significantly more likely to commit murder and to eventually commit suicide (Univ Penn LDI Issue Brief 2003;8(8), 1-4).

If these claims were true then we would be seeing thousands every week..... we don't so next issue.

  • 5 votes
#1.43 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:36 AM EST

Are they WELL REGULATED as prescribed by the Second Amendment?

You have no idea of what the term "well regulated" means.

firearm suicides are 6 times higher than in other developed countries

Yet, in Japan, there are many more suicides than in the US. Guns are virtually banned in Japan.

Japan comes in at #6, the US at #34.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

.

What regulations do Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, and Spain have that makes them so much safer and provide their young males, specifically, with significantly longer survivals?

France is #24, higher than the US.

Guns are virtually banned in China, they rank at #6.

Your attempt to link firearms to suicide has failed.

  • 9 votes
#1.44 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:37 AM EST

bob johnson-1135406

that of a pot smoking hippie and draft dodger

  • 4 votes
#1.46 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:39 AM EST

Because every person who has a gun and children at home needs to be reminded how dangerous it can be, to bring a gun into your home.

And cars kill twice as many as firearms.

Alcohol is the THIRD leading cause of mortality in the US.

Why doesn't the media "remind" us of that every day????

  • 8 votes
#1.47 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:39 AM EST

It's all the guns fault according to the anti gun loons. Why don't you clowns start railing against cars and booze and tobacco??? They kill MANY more people than guns!! Guns, when used as intended, never hurt anyone. Tobacco, when used as intended, kills MOST of the users! But, don't let FACTS get in the way of your rant.

  • 9 votes
#1.48 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:45 AM EST

guns in america? not a problem. says so in the consitution. just suck up all the carnage, america. besides, you never know when the redcoats will be back for their tea.

  • 1 vote
#1.49 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:00 PM EST

Why is this story national news? Because it fits in with Obama's goal of grabbing all our guns.
Gun owners will never give up their guns. Know what I'm sayin'?

  • 3 votes
#1.50 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:07 PM EST

Obviously not. If you have a gun in your home, you are statistically, significantly more likely to commit murder and to eventually commit suicide (Univ Penn LDI Issue Brief 2003;8(8), 1-4).

REFUTED:

http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcdgaga.html

  • 3 votes
#1.51 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:08 PM EST

but people like you want to give free reign to the criminal wanting us to just lay down and allow them to have their way. Now before you go saying that if guns were ban the criminals would not have them..

And you are making an erroneous assumption. No on is trying to ban all guns. handguns and rifles are fine. Military type guns and magazines need to be regulated. If that means banning them from public purchase, so be it,

HOWEVER, we do need additional deterrents to curtail gun violence, the most important being good mental health care for those that need it. This means new facilities, or old ones; like Creedmore (NY), reopened. We need to have every gun purchase reported and every stolen gun reported. We need stricter background checks and psych evaluations.

Mostly, we need people who own guns to practice safety. Do not let you young children know here you keep your guns and they should be in a locked place with the ammo locked somewhere else. You should have one accessible gun, and only trained members of your family should know where it is kept.

Gun Violence needs to be curtail. It will be impossible to eradicate it permanently.

Why don't you clowns start railing against cars and booze and tobacco???

Why don't you rally against the deaths of hundreds of children who die at the hands of their parents or caregivers before they are three years old?

  • 2 votes
#1.52 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:09 PM EST

Has Wayne LaPierre been arrested yet?

    #1.53 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:10 PM EST

    @ Ashley69;

    Your question asking "What regulations do Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, and Spain have that makes them so much safer and provide their young males, specifically, with significantly longer survivals?" is answered easily. The culture of those countries is very different than here, and they don't have constitutional rights and freedoms as America does. Japan, the holy grail of gun control advocates is a toletarian government that not only controls guns, but controls its people. Here's some education for you: The gun violence in this country is a symptom of cultural and societal issues which are being overlooked by kneejerk politicians and people that don’t make the effort to look beyond the symptoms to try and solve a problem.

    • 5 votes
    #1.54 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:13 PM EST

    did "pete the pistol" wake up ,get off the nightstand then go walking around before "shooting off" a load into the child ??? there is no details explaining why the pistol did this shooting ? i guess the gun fled the crime scene all on its own !!

    • 3 votes
    #1.55 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:20 PM EST

    lynseypug

    Responsible gun owners MUST be held criminally accountable when their guns are improperly used.

    who are you kidding? irrisponsibility is held criminally in all states!

    davey-526272

    The chances that your gun will be used to shoot someone that you know is much greater than the chance that your gun will be used to shoot a stranger who is committing a crime in your home. Just saying ...

    that has to be the most insane comment for a reason not to have a firearm i have ever heard....just saying...

    guns dont jump into ones hand make them point and pull their trigger. PEOPLE do that, and its the criminals doing it unless its a cop, or someone protecting their home and family. Autos with drunks behind the wheel kill. that too is banned(driving drunk) and it hasnt stopped after decades. drug ban in effect for decades longer than drunk driving laws... and banned firearms... make a difference? no. its the people...

    bring your kids up learning how to respect other people and a big change would be made. thats a start. not taking away the rights of law abiding people.

    • 4 votes
    #1.57 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:36 PM EST

    It's about time and never stop asking:

    Do you think if there was a gun ban in this country all the lowlifes, irresponsible gun owners and criminals will turn their guns in?

    ronkonkoma - No, of course not. It would take years to ferret out all the illegal guns in the country. But that does not mean that doing so would not be desirable, or impossible.

    I'll turn it around and ask, of all the guns used in school shootings, robberies, spousal murders and other random acts of violence, how many do think were not originally manufactured and sold legally?

      #1.58 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:52 PM EST

      Get used to this. NBC will do Obama's leg work for him and search out each story and run it all day till they can find another one.

      • 3 votes
      #1.59 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:13 PM EST

      Ashley-69;

      The 2nd Amendment does not state that guns should be "well regulated". It states -- and this is direct from the Bill of Rights:

      "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

      Now, what is a "militia", as defined by the "framers" of the Constitution and "Founding Fathers" of The United States of America? The answer is very simple and extremely easy to find. Just open a history book or dictionary or "ancient" law document from the late 1700s: A militia is comprised of ALL able-bodied males between the ages of 16 and 45 years of age (sometimes up to 60 years). The Militia is called up in times of need, not kept at the ready 24/7365 the way the PAID contract army is kept at the ready. And the Militia is not the National Guard, the formation and maintenance of which is provided for in separate government documents. The National Guard is a State-controlled extension of the Regular, Standing United States Army.

      GUNS are not "well regulated" in the 2nd Amendment -- the MILITIA is well regulated. Your "mistake" clearly shows that you are anti-gun, anti-2nd Amendment, and likely have not actually read the Constitution of The United States of America.

      • 4 votes
      #1.60 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:52 PM EST

      dman-353357

      I'll turn it around and ask, of all the guns used in school shootings, robberies, spousal murders and other random acts of violence, how many do think were not originally manufactured and sold legally?

      Well let's turn it around even more. Of all the knives, baseball bats, clubs, scissors, etc used in school stabbings, robberies, spousal murders and other random acts of violence, how many do you think were not originally manufactured and sold legally?

      Oh, and what about all of the acts of violence committed with only hands and feet? Should they be banned, too?

      • 3 votes
      #1.61 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:57 PM EST

      But for the gun, this child would not be dead.

      • 2 votes
      #1.62 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:00 PM EST

      This is local news. 310,000,000 people in this country. If we didnt have cars in this country there wouldnt be car accident deaths. But can you defend yourself with a car? When you have freedoms like the freedom to keep and carry a gun, some are going to get shot, some on purpose, some by accident. Crime is down by 50% but you never hear Obama or any liberal say that. MSN is a homer for the liberal-feminist. Every story MSN runs has a bias but once you see the direction they're coming from it isn't so hard to understand.

      • 3 votes
      #1.63 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:04 PM EST

      Fancy that, if you publish an article EVERY TIME something happens with a gun in the United States, it looks like there's a lot of gun violence! The world isn't much different than it has been - gun violence is just being published more often.

      • 3 votes
      #1.64 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:32 PM EST

      Well let's turn it around even more. Of all the knives, baseball bats, clubs, scissors, etc used in school stabbings, robberies, spousal murders and other random acts of violence, how many do you think were not originally manufactured and sold legally?

      The Quacked One - I hate it when people don't answer a direct question.

      With the exception of "clubs", which I have never seen for sale in any store, I would imagine 99.99% of them were all purchased legally, and were legally manufactured.

      So what?

      Knives, baseball bats, and scissors, etc, are all practical items, whose primary purpose is not to apply lethal force to another person. The primary purpose of guns is for use as a weapon or as an instrument of hunting. The other uses people site, target practice, collecting, etc, are all auxiliary purposes. Nobody invented guns so they would have something to fire at a paper target.

      In particular, hand guns, and assault weapons are only of use to apply or threaten deadly force.

      I cannot speak to generic "clubs", whatever they may be, but to remove most the items you cite would be a serious handicap to daily life in most American households. But if all the hand guns were to disappear tomorrow, daily life would continue without a blip.

      So, once again, how many of the illegally possessed and used firearms in this country were originally sold legally?

      Does the answer to that question not make it obvious that the very prevalence of guns in our society makes it very much easier for a would-be criminal to obtain one?

      ...still waiting.

        #1.65 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:28 PM EST

        So, once again, how many of the illegally possessed and used firearms in this country were originally sold legally?

        Does the answer to that question not make it obvious that the very prevalence of guns in our society makes it very much easier for a would-be criminal to obtain one?

        ...still waiting.

        I'll hazard the guess the most to all of them were legally purchased.

        Do you know what tool is used and does the most murders? I'll give you a hint - it is not guns.

        Answer is a "claw hammer."

        • 1 vote
        #1.67 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:37 PM EST

        Do you think if there was a gun ban in this country all the lowlifes, irresponsible gun owners and criminals will turn their guns in?

        I'm a responsible gun owner I am not a criminal or lowlife and if there is a gun ban in this country I'm not going to turn mine in either.

        • 2 votes
        #1.68 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:00 PM EST

        Never Stop Asking Questions, apparently you never stop to read articles:

        The father drove the boy to nearby Lincoln Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

        The child is not dead.

          #1.70 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:42 PM EST

          dman:

          I'm sure the majority of them were made and sold legally. If you ban all gun sales, criminals would then buy them on the black market. There would be gun cartels as there are drug cartels. Give them financial initiative and there will be a market. And at that point only the criminals will have them. If every gun was removed from this country, do you think there would not be any more murders? If people were to now kill with knives because there are no more guns to kill, do we then ban all knives from our country? Do you think crime rates would go higher if all guns were removed from our country; as has happened in Australia? The problem is guns getting into the wrong hands. I have no problem with tougher gun laws such elimination of private sales and background checks. The guns I have purchased were all from registered gun dealers. I keep them in a locked safe whenever I am not using them. The NRA teaches gun safety. It's the issue of guns getting into the hands of criminals and the morons that needs to be addressed.

            #1.72 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:25 AM EST

            And cars kill twice as many as firearms.

            Alcohol is the THIRD leading cause of mortality in the US.

            Why doesn't the media "remind" us of that every day????

            Good question.

            Cars may kill 2X as many people as guns, but cars are used much, much, much more than guns. Plus, we have already done a lot to make cars safer. (Can we please license, register, and insure guns??!? Please?) And, cars are much much much more useful than guns.

            As for booze, well, it takes a really long time to kill yourself with booze.

            But, and here is the real reason, gun violence horrifies us. Well, most of us. Not you, obviously. And, we pay attention to what horrifies us.

            For example, how many people are killed each year, by terrorists who hijack commercial airplanes and fly them into buildings? Very very few. But, when that happened on Sept. 11, 2001, well, I think you know how vigorous our response was. Yet, every year, gun violence kills many more than were killed on 9/11/2001. For many people in the US, gun violence represents an on-going, never-ending Sept. 11, 2001. And we want to do something about it.

            Now, do you have the answer to your question?

              #1.73 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:48 AM EST

              davey:

              our response to 9-11 was directed to those who caused the violence. We did not direct it towards those who had nothing to do with it. We didn't shut down the airlines or stopped building tall buildings. Why doesn't the government and police go after those responsible for the horrific shootings. Why not have life sentences for those committing a crime with a gun, whether it be a shooting or a robbery. Why let these scumbuckets out on parole. Why not hold people like these parents of these boys accountable and sentence them to 15 years in jail? Why penalize those who are responsible? I have no problem with registering a gun (as long as there are no fees involved; I would not approve of another tax in disguise). I think anyone who wishes to purchase a gun should have a background check and should have to take at least one course in gun safety. Further courses should be required in regards to what type of gun you buy. I would also have no problem with the elimination of private gun sales.

                #1.74 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:12 PM EST

                I'm sure the majority of them were made and sold legally. If you ban all gun sales, criminals would then buy them on the black market.

                Ronkonkoma Chet, The above is an unsupportable statement, based upon an unrealistic parallel you apparently draw between the illicit drug trade and the demand for guns.

                Without the high-volume, domestic market for hand guns and assault weapons, the manufacturing of such weapons would dwindle to a fraction of its current volume.

                The black market, gun cartel environment you speak of can only exist if there is a ready supply, and guns, unlike cocaine and opiates, cannot be manufactured with a large and very visible manufacturing infrastructure.

                Give them financial initiative and there will be a market.

                Why then, are the countries of Western Europe able to prevent most of their criminals from obtaining guns? In Western Europe, one reads of a mass shooting perhaps once or twice in a decade. Here, such incidents occur several times every month.

                You see the difference?

                And at that point only the criminals will have them

                Some criminals will obtain one, but far fewer will do so because there will be far fewer guns available. This is simple mathematics.

                If every gun was removed from this country, do you think there would not be any more murders?

                Of course not, no more than traffic laws prevent all fatal accidents. But there would be far few murders, particularly those of the mass-shooting variety. Just because we still have people dying in car accidents, nobody is advocating the repeal of all laws regarding speed limits, or dismantling all traffic lights.

                Why does the same logic not apply to guns?

                Do you think crime rates would go higher if all guns were removed from our country; as has happened in Australia?

                According to what statistics?

                According to this site: http://www.aic.gov.au/statistics/violent%20crime.html,

                since 1996, when Australian gun laws were notably tightened, the only violent crime rate which has increased is the rate for assaults.

                Sexual assault, homicide, robbery rates are at or below 1996 levels.

                So, nice try.

                I keep checking out these loudly proclaimed "arm the public" success stories. I've yet to see a country where it has worked.

                  #1.75 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 2:09 PM EST

                  dman:

                  I tried to look up info on your site but was unsuccessful, it said the site was down. I googled the topic and did not find any sites that claim crime rates went down. Here is one site however that claims differently. Now it's possible that the stats may be misleading because I don't know the population of these areas or how many crimes were initially committed.

                  Manufacturing may decrease in this country, but in countries like Russia guns will work their way over here. If there is money to be made, it will happen.

                  In countries where guns were banned, suicides by hanging increased. Should ropes be banned? Once guns are banned, do knives follow suit if there is an increase in murders using them?

                  You did not answer my question about sentencing. Would you support a mandatory 30 year prison sentence for anyone using a gun in the commission of a crime regardless of whether anyone is shot or not? How do these people who use guns get back out on the street again?

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                  AUSTRALIA: MORE VIOLENT CRIME DESPITE GUN BAN

                  April 13, 2009

                  It is a common fantasy that gun bans make society safer. In 2002 -- five years after enacting its gun ban -- the Australian Bureau of Criminology acknowledged there is no correlation between gun control and the use of firearms in violent crime. In fact, the percent of murders committed with a firearm was the highest it had ever been in 2006 (16.3 percent), says the D.C. Examiner.

                  Even Australia's Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research acknowledges that the gun ban had no significant impact on the amount of gun-involved crime:

                  • In 2006, assault rose 49.2 percent and robbery 6.2 percent.
                  • Sexual assault -- Australia's equivalent term for rape -- increased 29.9 percent.
                  • Overall, Australia's violent crime rate rose 42.2 percent.

                  Moreover, Australia and the United States -- where no gun-ban exists -- both experienced similar decreases in murder rates:

                  • Between 1995 and 2007, Australia saw a 31.9 percent decrease; without a gun ban, America's rate dropped 31.7 percent.
                  • During the same time period, all other violent crime indices increased in Australia: assault rose 49.2 percent and robbery 6.2 percent.
                  • Sexual assault -- Australia's equivalent term for rape -- increased 29.9 percent.
                  • Overall, Australia's violent crime rate rose 42.2 percent.
                  • At the same time, U.S. violent crime decreased 31.8 percent: rape dropped 19.2 percent; robbery decreased 33.2 percent; aggravated assault dropped 32.2 percent.
                  • Australian women are now raped over three times as often as American women.

                  While this doesn't prove that more guns would impact crime rates, it does prove that gun control is a flawed policy. Furthermore, this highlights the most important point: gun banners promote failed policy regardless of the consequences to the people who must live with them, says the Examiner.

                  Source: Howard Nemerov, "Australia experiencing more violent crime despite gun ban," Free Republic, April 9, 2009.

                  For text:

                  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2225517/posts

                  Previous Article

                    #1.76 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 3:51 PM EST

                    I tried to look up info on your site but was unsuccessful,

                    I got the same result when I clicked on the supplied link. Just Google "Australian crime rates by year", and it is the top site returned. Note, that this is maintained by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice.

                    I did look at the site you supply, it seems highly politicized and I suspect that some of the statistical truths it supplies are based upon artful selection. But to be fair, if one examines the lower level statistics on my site, it does show a marked increase in sexual assaults, and of physical assaults.

                    However, robbery, both armed and unarmed, while fluctuating upwards around 2001, in 2007 has shows almost the exact same rate as in 1996.

                    Bottom line: I cannot see any strong indication that tightening of gun laws has made crime more of a problem in 2007, than it was in 1996. It is true that the incidence of both rape and assault are up, but unless you can show that concealed carry permits were widely available, and widely used, prior to 1996, I consider it highly unlikely that changes in the gun laws are to blame here.

                    Manufacturing may decrease in this country, but in countries like Russia guns will work their way over here. If there is money to be made, it will happen.

                    Why is this problem not manifest in the countries of Western Europe, in Canada, or in Japan?

                    In countries where guns were banned, suicides by hanging increased. Should ropes be banned? Once guns are banned, do knives follow suit if there is an increase in murders using them?

                    It is not my business how, or whether somebody chooses to kill themselves. While suicide is tragic, if somebody wants to die, they'll always find a way to do it. As to your point about knives, I'll just point out that you have a chance of outrunning a knife-wielding assailant, but it is a rarity that somebody can evade a shooting attack. I've also yet to hear of somebody slaughtering 20 or 30 people while wielding a knife. I'll also note that knifes, as least non-combat knifes have other primary purposes in our society.

                    There are any number of items commonly used in daily life which could, conceivably, be used as a weapon But the vast majority of such items, such as cars, knives, scissors, baseball bats and box cutters have legitimate uses in our daily life. Some, such as cars, are far more tightly controlled than are fire arms. Hand guns and assault weapons are alone in that their primary purpose is as a weapon. Yes, there are people who use them for hobbies such as target practice, but guns were not invented so that somebody would have something to fire at a paper target.

                    For some reason fire arms hold some sanctified position in the American psyche. We keep telling our selves that our society would collapse without them. But other Democratic societies survive without them. Why cannot we?

                      #1.77 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 5:06 PM EST

                      our response to 9-11 was directed to those who caused the violence

                      Please read the Patriot Act. All of our lives were changed by laws that resulted from 9/11.

                      Why doesn't the government and police go after those responsible for the horrific shootings.

                      They do that already.

                      Why not have life sentences for those committing a crime with a gun, whether it be a shooting or a robbery. Why let these scumbuckets out on parole.

                      Fine with me.

                      Why not hold people like these parents of these boys accountable and sentence them to 15 years in jail?

                      Well, hate to see a kid lose his parents ...

                      Why penalize those who are responsible?

                      We do that already.

                      I have no problem with registering a gun (as long as there are no fees involved; I would not approve of another tax in disguise). I think anyone who wishes to purchase a gun should have a background check and should have to take at least one course in gun safety. Further courses should be required in regards to what type of gun you buy. I would also have no problem with the elimination of private gun sales.

                      cool

                        #1.78 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 6:49 PM EST

                        davey and dman:

                        It's nice to have a civilized discussion with the both of you in which valid points are made, and I must admit you both make some very valid points. I do agree we have an issue in this country with gun violence. Every day someone is killed with a gun. Is this the fault of the NRA? I think not as they promote gun safety and responsibility. I disagree with their stance that nothing needs to be done, because there are things we can do to improve the situation that would not affect any gun owner's life and could save many other lives. First, there should be a federal stature that anyone wishing to purchase a gun must get a federal permit. In order to get the permit, one would be subject to a full background check similar to what the NYPD requires if you are trying to get a pistol permit in NYC. In addition, you must take an NRA or similar gun safety course. There courses should all be the same; because as it is now,the information presented and length of the course varies state to state. An 8 hour course is certainly more valuable than a two hour course shooting at an apple barrel in some remote area. Once you have the permit, you will be allowed to purchase weapons. Private sales must be registered with the government as long as the purchaser has a valid permit, or banned altogether. There are plenty of gun shops you can buy from and they will have records of the sale. If your gun is stolen or lost, it must be reported within 24 hours of the loss. Anyone caught carrying a gun or possessing a gun without a permit should be subjected to a 10 year mandatory prison sentence. The parents of the kids this story is about may fall into that category. If so, that's the price they pay for possessing an illegal weapon. I would not feel sorry for them if they are breaking the law. Anyone caught using a weapon during a crime should be subject to a mandatory 30 year sentence. This would apply to all citizens, permit holders or not.

                        I think it would be very difficult to take away everyone's guns. But if we can change the laws to promote education and safety, and at the same time penalize those who are breaking the law, I believe we can make serious strides in combating this problem. It should not be cut and dry on either side. We all need to give and take in order to make this work.

                          #1.79 - Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:13 AM EST

                          Every day someone is killed with a gun. Is this the fault of the NRA?

                          Of course not.

                          I think it would be very difficult to take away everyone's guns.

                          indeed

                            #1.80 - Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:38 PM EST

                            This thread borders on ridiculous. Do you still have your guns? Has anyone come to your door to confiscate all your guns? We have a gun violence problem, not a gun problem. Obama is trying to curtail it, not just by banning military type weapons, but through tougher background checks before one can buy a gun. He is also looking into mental health and to provide better medical treatment and facilities to help these people. If you are a responsible gun owner, you would recognize that giving up assault weapons is not going to hurt you. You still will have your handgun and rifle. It would also be wise to practice good safety. Teach your children about the dangers of guns and keep your locked away; unloaded, and in a place your children do not know. Plus lock the ammo somewhere else and do not let the kids know where. If you want a load weapon ready, fine but lock it up securely so your kids can't get their hands on it.

                              #1.81 - Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:43 PM EST

                              huskergal:

                              I agree with your post but hear no feedback about penalizing those who break the law. I think there should be a law which stipulates that any gun used in the commission of a crime should result in a mandatory 30 year prison sentence, with no plea bargaining. We need education as well as tougher penalties to keep the guns out of the hands of criminals. Taking away assault weapons sounds good in theory, but in reality many more people die from handguns than assault rifles. Are you in favor of extremely tougher penalties for those who use guns in the commission of a crime?

                                #1.82 - Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:44 PM EST

                                I agree with your post but hear no feedback about penalizing those who break the law.

                                Can't give feedback about penalization because everything is changing due to the sequester. The cuts and backlogs they are going to cause are going to cripple the justice system. Also any plans for getting good mental health care for those who need it is now a long long ways off.

                                  #1.83 - Sun Mar 3, 2013 9:48 AM EST

                                  So I guess the criminals will be running the show, huh? That's more of a reason for me keeping my guns.

                                    #1.84 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 4:54 PM EST
                                    Reply

                                    The boy's mother and father were in their bedroom in Morrisania when they heard a pop noise shortly after 10:30 a.m., police said.

                                    Pop rocks??

                                    • 3 votes
                                    Reply#2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:19 AM EST
                                    Comment author avatarJacob007Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                    Keep up your daily agenda NBC. Any possible way you can bring up guns right? @ssholes

                                    • 23 votes
                                    Reply#3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:32 AM EST

                                    Jacob007 - you are right on target :D

                                    These lazy libtards at NBC just scan the local media reports for any type of shooting and add it to their NATIONAL news reports so as to continue the constant drumbeat of negative and anti-gun stories. I have some BREAKING NEWS of my own libiots; we just had the gun debate after Newtown...you lost. Deal with it.

                                    • 15 votes
                                    #3.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:46 AM EST

                                    Ummm, if you don't like NBC News, why do you read it and comment on stories? If you don't like what they report, find another news source. I don't care for Fox News, so I don't watch it or read it. Seems rather simple to me.

                                    • 8 votes
                                    #3.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:09 AM EST

                                    A kid got shot. You don't think its news.

                                    • 2 votes
                                    #3.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:34 AM EST

                                    A kid got shot in his bedroom, either by himself or his brother. It was not like he was caught in a barrage of bullets from gang activity. Its not newsworthy.

                                    • 2 votes
                                    #3.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:04 AM EST

                                    Sheila

                                    So to make the news it has to be a gang shooting now. Why is that?

                                      #3.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:13 AM EST

                                      Chicago scorecard 2-22-2013

                                      57 homicides 243 shootings.

                                      Who says we're the second city?

                                        #3.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:19 AM EST

                                        Its just not something that should go beyond the local news, it was an accident. Gang activity, on the other hand, seems to be constantly eroding our society and is worthy of national concern.

                                        • 4 votes
                                        #3.8 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:39 AM EST

                                        A kid got shot. You don't think its news.

                                        No.

                                        Not if two kids drowning every day isn't news:

                                        http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html

                                        Or kids killed by contact sports injuries.

                                        http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/11/teen.heart.deaths/index.html

                                        Although four deaths in two weeks may seem like a lot, it's consistent with the national average for scholastic athletes

                                        • 5 votes
                                        #3.9 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:30 AM EST

                                        @Grandpa-2986035 "A kid got shot,and you don't think this is news" waaahh waaahh ,yeah and other kids got ran over by cars,some get crushed between the wheels of the schoolbuses ,others got stabbed and lots of others choked to death ,but they don't make the news ,even the ones who got molested by parents or even worse the catholic church,they cover up everything that they did to the kids thats unholy up the @sshole ,but those don't make the news

                                        • 3 votes
                                        #3.10 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:29 PM EST

                                        MSNBC, Propaganda at its finest!

                                        • 2 votes
                                        #3.11 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:09 PM EST

                                        BINGO Jacob. You are EXACTLY RIGHT. The ANTI-GUN Media is scraping the barrel for child shootings. This story IS NOT and SHOULD NOT be "NATIONAL NEWS WORTHY."

                                        We had a kid from Chandler, Arizona shoot himself in the hand and leg (one bullet) when he was a kid (hunting accident). He went on to become an NCAA All American wrestler from Arizona State University and an honor student.

                                        No one said diddly squat about that.

                                        The ANTI-GUN Media Freaks are becoming "TRAITORS" to this country by siding with the ANTI-GUN Lobby, foreigners from the ANTI-GUN United Nations and the Chinese Gov't who wants US citizens to be disarmed before they come here to collect on their "collateral properties." YEP, they are beginning to feel like they own this place. Thanks to our corrupt Gov't.

                                        Everyone needs to call the Media Freaks on this issue. Why don't they make every CHILD DROWNING in a swimming pool NATIONAL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????? Pools kill and debilitate more children than guns ever do.

                                        • 2 votes
                                        #3.12 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:06 PM EST
                                        Reply

                                        Well gun nuts, which was the criminal, the 5 year old or the 11 year old? Because, as you constantly tell us, only criminals shoot people.

                                        • 15 votes
                                        Reply#4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:40 AM EST

                                        Leroy, Really? With the little bit of information this pathetic article has I would say the criminal is the gun owner who didn't lock his gun up. Of course it could be the 11 year old got the gun from someone else and was hiding it. Who knows with such little information which is why I wonder why NBC was so quick to post the non-story. Pathetic at best.

                                        Google RC Soles...longtime congressman who supports gun control shoots intruders...

                                        • 16 votes
                                        #4.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:53 AM EST
                                        Comment author avatarA. Friend-3401376Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                        The criminal was the dirtbag ADULT who put a firearm within reach of a child you moron....

                                        • 14 votes
                                        #4.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:47 AM EST

                                        It was the father, didn't act like a responsible gun owner and lock his gun up! Either that or the 7 yo is purchasing illegal firearms at a gun show cause they won't have to pass a background check.

                                        I think a SIGNIFICANT fine for the father would be in order, then if the News Media will over report that, it might get gun owners to be more responsible and HELP REDUCE the number of these type of incidents

                                        • 5 votes
                                        #4.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:57 AM EST

                                        It soumded like an accident. I'm glad the boy wasn't seriously hurt or killed.

                                        • 4 votes
                                        #4.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:30 AM EST

                                        Neither. The father was for not securing that gun. It was a person failing to lock the gun up and therefore it was a person problem. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but policemen shoot criminals every day. Also, law-abiding citizens shoot criminals that break into their houses or attempt to do them harm.

                                        • 3 votes
                                        #4.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:50 AM EST

                                        The Parents.

                                          #4.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:47 AM EST

                                          You'll never get our guns.

                                          • 2 votes
                                          #4.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:09 PM EST

                                          "its new york" maybe the gun belonged to the kids &not the parents,maybe they didn't own it but the 11 year old got it off the streets or just found it after it was tossed

                                          • 2 votes
                                          #4.8 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:34 PM EST

                                          Give 'em up Taft, you and your family are no match for a fully equipped black helicopter. I'm gonna be the guy who rappels on to your roof from the chopper.

                                            #4.9 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:06 PM EST
                                            Reply

                                            Yet another proud day for gun-lovers!

                                            • 8 votes
                                            Reply#5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:54 AM EST

                                            Are you confused? This just shows that broad gun bans in areas like NYC and NY State don't stop gun accidents.

                                            • 11 votes
                                            #5.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:01 AM EST

                                            Don Harris - Of course gun bans in a specific location (NYC, Chicago, etc.) don't work. It's because guns can be easily carried across city or state lines.

                                            A tragic story. I wish all gun owners would lock their weapons up.

                                            • 6 votes
                                            #5.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:17 AM EST

                                            That's why we need standardized federal laws.

                                            • 3 votes
                                            #5.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:22 AM EST

                                            This just shows that broad gun bans in areas like NYC and NY State don't stop gun accidents.

                                            Check the link below for gun violence ranking: Louisiana leads the list, then Chicago and at number 32 is NY.

                                            http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_gun_vio_gun-crime-gun-violence

                                            http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jan/10/gun-crime-us-state

                                            Very interesting reading.

                                              #5.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:00 AM EST

                                              Of course gun bans in a specific location (NYC, Chicago, etc.) don't work. It's because guns can be easily carried across city or state lines

                                              But isn't that against the law?

                                              • 5 votes
                                              #5.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:29 AM EST

                                              We already have too many law regarding guns.

                                              • 2 votes
                                              #5.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:11 PM EST

                                              Proud parents? OK you boys take 'Uncle' Bookies gun in the other room while your mom & I smoke this crack....

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #5.8 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:20 PM EST
                                              Reply

                                              About 100,000 people a year are shot in the US. This includes suicides, accidents, deliberate criminal shootings, and police shootings. Don't be surprised about this story. Despite the NRA "Eddie Eagle" propaganda and their obstinate refusal to accept a legal requirement to handle and store guns safely, this kind of shooting is common and frequent.

                                              • 7 votes
                                              Reply#6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:57 AM EST

                                              Link? Ive yet to see people actually quote an FBI or DHS or DOJ source for this stuff...

                                              • 4 votes
                                              #6.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:06 AM EST

                                              About 100,000 people a year are shot in the US. This includes suicides, accidents, deliberate criminal shootings, and police shootings

                                              Source?

                                              .

                                              (crickets.........)

                                              .

                                              • 6 votes
                                              #6.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:42 AM EST

                                              #6

                                              You are speaking from your distal alimentary canal.

                                              HERE ARE FACTS. DEAL WITH IT:

                                              http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm

                                              Firearm homicides

                                              • Number of deaths: 11,078
                                              • 5 votes
                                              #6.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:44 AM EST

                                              Here's something else #6 routinely ignores:

                                              http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6089353/ns/health-addictions/t/alcohol-linked-us-deaths-year/#.USZWAvKjKM0

                                              Alcohol linked to 75,000 U.S. deaths a year

                                              Third leading cause of mortality, government study finds

                                              • 5 votes
                                              #6.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:47 AM EST

                                              Steven B, thank you very much for the above true facts.

                                              • 2 votes
                                              #6.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:12 PM EST

                                              It is critical to prevent the knee-jerk, misinformed, media-spoon-fed ignoramuses from being allowed to usurp our Rights.

                                              • 3 votes
                                              #6.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:20 PM EST

                                              #6.1 Link? Ive yet to see people actually quote an FBI or DHS or DOJ source for this stuff...

                                              Since you are not satisfied with the links already given; here at the ones you ask for

                                              http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jan/10/gun-crime-us-state. This is at the risk of repeating myself as these come from the FBI.

                                              http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/crimestats

                                              http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/gun-violence/

                                              A little out of date, but it does give a good picture: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5002a1.htm

                                              I can't find the information you want from DHS so here is the link so you can search: http://www.dhs.gov/topics

                                              Again, out of date. http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/gun_violence/sect01.html. Since the bann on assault weapons expired, deaths have increased. Let's look at new information

                                              http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2012/12/29/should-the-assault-weapons-ban-be-reinstated

                                              http://www.policymic.com/articles/22262/since-the-assault-weapon-ban-expired-there-have-been-27-mass-shootings-in-the-u-s. My opinion, for what it is worth, is that people living in this country live on fear. Ask your self a question - Do you still have you guns or have they been confiscated?

                                              http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/press/view/1028

                                              Well I'm done. I'll bet you are thrilled at this news and that you will not wade through all this information - it is a bit much. As for me, I thank you for challenging me to find the information. Thanks #6.1

                                                #6.8 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:51 PM EST
                                                Reply
                                                Comment author avatarNerf HerderExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                Liberals.. The lowest of all scum

                                                • 7 votes
                                                Reply#7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:59 AM EST

                                                Except for teabaggers.

                                                • 9 votes
                                                #7.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:05 AM EST

                                                No John it's liberals.

                                                • 9 votes
                                                #7.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:48 AM EST

                                                Don't respond to the "trolls," guys! (Troll = person who makes idiotic comment because he's trolling for responses.)

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #7.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:18 AM EST

                                                What's wrong with that? It's amusing to get the teabaggers and gun-lovers frothing at the mouth, and so easy too.

                                                • 2 votes
                                                #7.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:24 AM EST
                                                Reply

                                                Your violent hobby is more important than our children apparently. Thanks to the gun nutz and the NRA, who have no interest in responsible restrictions. Remember them when someone you love is affected by gun violence.

                                                • 12 votes
                                                Reply#8 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:59 AM EST
                                                Comment author avatarA. Friend-3401376Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                It's not a hobby libiot. The Second Amendment is not about hunting or gun collection, it is about self protection....deal with it.

                                                • 17 votes
                                                #8.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:49 AM EST

                                                Remember Newtown! Repeal the 2nd amendment!

                                                • 2 votes
                                                #8.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:25 AM EST

                                                repeal the 13th amendment too

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #8.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:06 AM EST

                                                or the 19th. This touchy, feely, PC America will be the death of us.Sorry Amerika.

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #8.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:25 AM EST

                                                Ol' Boob wants to re-institute slavery. Figures. The last gasp of the crackers!

                                                  #8.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:44 AM EST

                                                  Remember Newtown! Repeal the 2nd amendment!

                                                  HINT: Criminals won't do it.

                                                  .

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #8.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:48 AM EST

                                                  The new slavery will be an equal opportunity employer John N. and it looks to me like you are inviting it upon yourself, not Bob.

                                                    #8.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:23 PM EST
                                                    Reply

                                                    Despite incidents like this, the NRA says we don't need any more gun restrictions. Criminals won't submit to background checks, and stupid parents won't lock up guns, so both background checks and mandatory trigger locks are useless. At least that's NRA logic.

                                                    • 6 votes
                                                    Reply#9 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:15 AM EST

                                                    NRA logic is an oxymoron.

                                                    • 4 votes
                                                    #9.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:45 AM EST

                                                    does not matter what the criminals do the liberals will find someone else to blame for their criminal behavior

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #9.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:07 AM EST

                                                    Mandatory trigger locks render a firearm as only poor club. I have a right to protect me and my loved ones. My weapons are in a safe, save the one I carry on occasion. And yes, I have had multiple background checks. An incident such as this only illustrates stupid...which is incurable. Ignorance, on the other hand is treatable. People like Biden, Bloomberg, liberal politicians and some people on the vine are so very naive to believe if firearms are "outlawed" murders will stop. Hogwash!

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #9.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:46 AM EST

                                                    Despite incidents like this, the NRA says we don't need any more gun restrictions

                                                    The NRA says "Enforce the laws we already have".

                                                    How many prosecutions have there been for people who lie on their Form 4473?

                                                    #9 has absolutely NO IDEA what the NRA does.

                                                    Here's a clue, although I suspect that no facts can sway the minds of those who have already swigged the Kool-aid:

                                                    The NRA is a

                                                    Place to learn firearms safety:

                                                    http://training.nra.org/

                                                    Place for Law Enforcement training and competitions:

                                                    http://le.nra.org/

                                                    Place to see the National Firearms Museum:

                                                    http://www.nramuseum.org/the-guns/featured-guns.aspx

                                                    Place to train for the Olympics:

                                                    http://www.usashooting.org/membership/youth-programs/youthrifle

                                                    Place to go to purchase a WWII M-1 Garand Rifle through the Civilian Marksmanship Program:

                                                    http://www.odcmp.com/

                                                    .

                                                    Instead of blindly bashing an organization you know nothing about, shall we have a real discussion on what seem to be the commonalities and causes of these school shooting tragedies?

                                                    • 6 votes
                                                    #9.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:52 AM EST
                                                    Reply

                                                    Yep - another case where all the idiots will blame the gun.

                                                    Funny - my guns - which are controlled - have never done anything that I didn't want them to.

                                                    We aren't looking at a gun issue - it's a RESPONSIBILITY issue - gun rule #1 - keep them out of the hands that they don't belong in.

                                                    • 11 votes
                                                    #10 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:17 AM EST
                                                    Comment author avatarJohn N-963175Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                    You talk like your guns are people! That's the definition of gun-lover. Go fondle your guns they're safe for another day.

                                                    • 9 votes
                                                    #10.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:20 AM EST

                                                    Irresponsibility is one thing. Irresponsibility and guns is a much more potent mix.

                                                    • 9 votes
                                                    #10.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:22 AM EST
                                                    Comment author avatarMymomdidnotraiseafoolExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                    Johnny, Johnny, Johnny! Today, just for once, could you please stop trying to be such a twat?

                                                    • 8 votes
                                                    #10.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:24 AM EST

                                                    Draconian,

                                                    Exactly right. Now please explain why the NRA has opposed laws mandating gun safety. How can you convince people who don't handle guns responsibly to do so if there are no legal sanctions when they aren't responsible?

                                                    This is the kind of gun control we really need. Handle guns the way you must in order to be safe and shut down the black market that puts guns in the hands of criminals. The NRA opposes both.

                                                    Responsible and lawful gun owners aren't the problem and we need to respect their rights.

                                                    • 4 votes
                                                    #10.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:26 AM EST

                                                    Takes one to know one!

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:26 AM EST

                                                    John N-963175 10.1 - No it is people like you who attempt to give sentient attributes to guns.

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:25 AM EST

                                                    I agree 100%. It's not the gun, it's the irresponsible owner. Now where did he get the gun? At a gun show, from a friend, or some other place where he did not have to pass a background check? Did he previously live in a city/state where he was a legal owner and moved to NYC?

                                                    So my feeling is that by registration and licensing we can limit the number of guns that are passed down from a father to a mentally ill child, (or make your own scenario because this happens in rural America). Also, and it's not an immediate solution, but it will eventually get illegal guns off of the street. Another example; a person who is a responsible gun owner passes and he guns are in the house. A friend tells the wife or children that he will take care of them. Sees a cash cow and sells the guns illegally or to a street person.

                                                    You really have to see the problem here! It's not the guns; it's what happens with guns when they are handled by irresponsible persons.

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    #10.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:26 AM EST

                                                    Get rid of the guns and the irresponsible owners can't kill anyone.

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.8 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:29 AM EST

                                                    John, your comments are idiotic and do not make a whole lot of sense. Please try researching before spewing garbage. Thank you.

                                                    • 7 votes
                                                    #10.9 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:35 AM EST

                                                    John, your comments are idiotic and do not make a whole lot of sense. Please try researching before spewing garbage. Thank you.

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.10 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:36 AM EST

                                                    Oh yes, whatever you say, gun-lover!

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    #10.11 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:37 AM EST

                                                    It was a gun that was fired. Hard to fire a broom. Guess an oven might fire a gun. Certainly it was the gun. You should think before you call someone an idiot.

                                                    • 2 votes
                                                    #10.12 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:40 AM EST

                                                    Hey John - hows the ban on drugs going?

                                                    • 4 votes
                                                    #10.13 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:44 AM EST

                                                    I'm all for the legalization, regulation and taxation of drugs. Glad you are too!

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.14 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:47 AM EST

                                                    be careful John is a computer keyboard commando. he is for the taxation of everything. is it hard to type with one hand in your underwear?

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.15 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:09 AM EST

                                                    So you don't have the courage to answer the point....figures.....go out an lay down and let the criminal do as they will, but how dare we want to defend ourselves.....that is your way of thinking.....how about giving the criminals your address......

                                                    • 2 votes
                                                    #10.16 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:13 AM EST

                                                    The bad guy always has the drop on you, paranoid frightened gun-lover. Just ask Keith Ratliff and Chris Kyle. Oh, sorry you can't the bad guys whacked them. R. I. P.

                                                    • 2 votes
                                                    #10.17 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:20 AM EST

                                                    Is that your paranoid, fear-filled fantasy? Looks like you're from Tex-ass, no "hoods" in Tex-ass. I'm from the south side of Chicago and I never needed a gun to defend me or my family. Now go cower in the bunker with your guns!

                                                    • 3 votes
                                                    #10.20 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:19 AM EST

                                                    No paranoia, simply live in reality....and no I am not from Texas, but I do have enough education and am adult enough to spell it without displaying uneducated adolescent behavior....makes me wonder about your south side education system.

                                                    • 5 votes
                                                    #10.21 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:39 AM EST

                                                    Going by the photo your heart belongs to Tex-ass. If the south side of Chicago isn't reality I don't know what is.

                                                    • 2 votes
                                                    #10.22 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:56 AM EST

                                                    Proving again your lack of education....western clothing is worn throughout the nation, not just in Texas.

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    #10.23 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:34 PM EST

                                                    first time i ever heard anyone equate texas clothing with education. fascinating.

                                                      #10.25 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 8:13 AM EST
                                                      Reply
                                                      Comment author avatarLordPyrincExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                                                      Since everyone else is jumping to conclusions... I say the 11 year old was a wannabe gangbanger. His homies gave him the gun and tol' him that he gotta cap somebody. His younger brother happened to be an easy target.

                                                      • 2 votes
                                                      Reply#11 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:18 AM EST

                                                      "Police said it was not clear if the boy accidentally shot himself or if his 11-year-old brother accidentally shot him."

                                                      REALLY???? It's unclear? Can't piece this together? How about just ASKING the boys WTF happened?

                                                      • 3 votes
                                                      Reply#12 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:21 AM EST

                                                      Because children lie to avoid punishment?

                                                      • 6 votes
                                                      #12.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:25 AM EST
                                                      Reply

                                                      My parents did not need to lock up the guns in our house. My grandfather took a watermelon put on the ground gathered all his grandchildren beside him and shot it with a double barrel shotgun. He then said that could be your head if you play with a gun. That left an indelible impression on my mind and my curiosity about guns was replaced with a real understanding of their power. I was only 5 years old. If a parent can not trust their children to obey them then they should lock up their guns. The parents should be held accountable for child endangerment. They should also be held liable if their children hurt other children or people. If a parent can not control a child then they should have some place they can send them to be disciplined before they hurt someone and wind up with a prison record.

                                                      • 7 votes
                                                      Reply#13 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:21 AM EST

                                                      Then ya'll went to the dump and shot some rats.

                                                      • 2 votes
                                                      #13.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:23 AM EST

                                                      Yeah, shooting rats rules! It rules! It's best when you sneak up on them with the headlights off, and then turn the high beams on and start blasting away. Whoot!

                                                      • 1 vote
                                                      #13.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:27 AM EST

                                                      I learned the use and safety of gun's when I was 12 yrs. old. I taught my children the use and safety of gun's at 12 yrs. old. They were also instructed to leave or call someone, if they were at someones house that started playing with gun's. It's all about the education. I'm getting sick and tired of people not taking or making people responsible for their action's. Although I don't know the whole story, It sound's like neglect on the owners part. Secure the weapons people.

                                                      • 9 votes
                                                      #13.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:17 AM EST

                                                      And then we all went to the dump and shot some rats.

                                                        #13.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:26 AM EST

                                                        Someones got to shoot the rats. It's a lot of fun and also good training.

                                                        • 2 votes
                                                        #13.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:40 AM EST

                                                        Training to kill humans?

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        #13.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:48 AM EST

                                                        Training to kill more rats for most

                                                        • 2 votes
                                                        #13.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:54 AM EST

                                                        John if more rats were killed you would have smaller family

                                                          #13.8 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:10 AM EST

                                                          Yuck,yuck. Good one Boob. You're a regular laugh riot. Now go fondle your gun, you know you want to.

                                                          • 1 vote
                                                          #13.9 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:27 AM EST
                                                          Reply

                                                          I guess NBC doesn't have the courage to report on stories like this one;

                                                          http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/23/houston-man-21-shoots-intruder-during-home-invasion/?test=latestnews

                                                          • 6 votes
                                                          Reply#14 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:49 AM EST

                                                          You know they don't. It doesn't fit their agenda.

                                                          • 5 votes
                                                          #14.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:10 AM EST
                                                          Reply
                                                          • 4 votes
                                                          Reply#15 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:50 AM EST

                                                          Same old lame gun-lover arguments! Difficult to get a high body count with a knife, baseball bat, tire iron, ice pick, etc., etc. So simple with a gun.

                                                            #15.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:33 AM EST

                                                            Too bad, huh, John, since you need a pile of corpses to stand on to try to push your agenda. I bet you're praying for another massacre now, aren't you?

                                                            • 3 votes
                                                            #15.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:26 AM EST

                                                            Well what are we going to do about the pile of corpses? Gun-lovers are content to let the massacres continue. In fact, that is their fantasy, someone invading their territory so they can blow them away.

                                                              #15.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:46 AM EST

                                                              Same old lame gun-lover arguments! Difficult to get a high body count with a knife, baseball bat, tire iron, ice pick, etc., etc. So simple with a gun.

                                                              Or a car.

                                                              Or some fertilizer and diesel fuel.

                                                              Or a gallon of gasoline in a super soaker.

                                                              But, don't let reality stand in your way!

                                                              .

                                                              • 2 votes
                                                              #15.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:03 PM EST

                                                              The logistics of a bomb are complex. So much easier to put on your body armor, grab your AR-15 or Bushmaster, walk over to the school and take out 27 human beings.

                                                                #15.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:24 PM EST

                                                                even better ,just "ban children" !!!

                                                                  #15.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:38 PM EST
                                                                  Reply

                                                                  Here's an article I wrote last year, still very relevant today:
                                                                  http://thelunatic.newsvine.com/_news/2012/07/02/12524132-americans-and-their-guns

                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                  Reply#16 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:51 AM EST

                                                                  Excellent article - everyone in America needs to see this, no matter what their opinion is on gun control.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #16.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:02 AM EST

                                                                  Hey HalfBacked Lunatic,

                                                                  I just read your "article" and was hoping for something more than the usual drival from an anti-gun person. I have to say that I was disappointed. I'll give you some corrections so when you "get some time" to correct it you'll get a few things right in it.

                                                                  #1 in 1791 as still is the case "well regulated" doesn't mean to have oversight. Since you've lived in Switzerland (and you seem to be an expert on that country) you know that a "well regulated" clock movement is called "well regulated" due to its design to "work correctly" not that someone comes by from time to time to correct it. So, a "well regulated militia" is one that is practiced and ready. That means when you are called into action you are familar with the proper use of your weapon and have proper ammo and supplies to keep that weapon functioning. Your opinion on what the founding fathers that wrote the constitution meant isn't what matters. Many of them wrote about what they thought, so instead of injecting your opinion on the subject just ready what they thought.

                                                                  #2 Since you're an expert on living in Ecuador also you then also know that the Quito has been "less than safe" for years now. It's mostly pick-pocket, purse/jewlery/electronic snatching, but there are many reports of tourist being kidnapped, shot and rapped in Ecuador. Trust me I'm not saying that none of these things don't happen to people in the USA, but I have walked in Central Park well after dark and didn't feel unsafe there. But, I wouldn't venture to far out after dark in many areas of Quito. So I don't know where you were in Ecuador or what centry that was, but you observation doesn't hold true today.

                                                                  #3 "Guns don't kill, people kill" You state that it is very difficult to kill someone with your hands. I'm not sure where you get your information, but you are very wrong. Although I've also never tried to kill someone and don't plan to, I do know how to do it with my bare hands and it's not that difficult.

                                                                  #4 "Your not going to take away my freedom" Well what you propose will do that! Just ask the jews that lived in Germany in the 1930's if taking away the guns that they could have defended themselves with took away their freedom. I'll bet you'll get a Heck YES from each and every one of them. To bad we can ask 6 million of them for an answer.

                                                                  #5 The biggest flaw you made is... The second admendment is about protection of the country. This even means replacing the government by force if need be. This is not an "anti-government" idea as you assert, but a God given right as many of this countries founding fathers did. Again, read what they thought and you'll understand why they put strong limits on the federal government of our republic. But I know it's far easier to think that you sir are smarter than they were, but you are not! Nor are any of our current elected servants. Although by today standards Jefferson, Washington ect. might not have knowledge of our modern way of life they were very educated men that struggled with doing what was best and not always what was best for themselves.

                                                                  Ok, no that I've pointed out some of your flaws, what do I think the solution is...

                                                                  #1 If you want to own a gun and you should be responsible enough to make sure that it's not used by your children without proper supervision. And if you can't do this then you should be held strictly accountable for it's improper use.

                                                                  #2 If you own a gun then you should get training on how to properly handle it. The NRA does offer this service as do many other organizations. We could hire former combat troops to teach classes in every city in America. Many of them would love to teach what they have learned and it would provide them a job since many of them returning and leaving the military are finding it hard to find one today.

                                                                  #3 We as a nation should do something similar to what your beloved Switzerland does. Maybe not the mandatory 2 years of military service, but a voluntary program where people willing could go to the local amory once a month and get specific civil defense training. This would make us a nation more prepared for any type of emergency be it natural or otherwise.

                                                                  • 3 votes
                                                                  #16.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:03 AM EST

                                                                  Lunatic, I also forgot to mention that as you stated in your "article" all rights do come with responsibility. So, you were/are right about that. So with the right to own a firearm/weapon/gun comes the responsibility to take proper care of it. This includes making it unavailable to people that shouldn't have unsupervised access to it and making sure it's in "well regulated" condition when needed.

                                                                  And again for Switzerland... What is so different about Switzerland than the USA? Is it the education level? The employment level? The level of personal responsibility? I haven't put the time in to study this but from my limited time in that country in the past I would hazard to guess that income, education and personal responsibility are all higher than in the USA so perhaps that is why they are different in many ways than we are.

                                                                  Ok, I did a little research here's an article that will explain some of it for you.

                                                                  http://world.time.com/2012/12/20/the-swiss-difference-a-gun-culture-that-works/

                                                                  If we could transform our economy from the constant stagnation that we've been experiencing for nearly 13 years now into a growing economy and stop the illegal flow of weapons, drugs and people from coming across our borders many of our crime would go away as well. Many of the crimes committed today are a direct result of these. But instead we have kneejerking politicians making round the country tours trying to convince people they "know whats best" for all us unwashed masses.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #16.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:27 AM EST

                                                                  Lunatic., I agree with everthing you wrote and it is a great article. Everyone should read it. I would just like to add, that socio-econmic conditions in this country are also contributing to gun violence.

                                                                  I believe the father of these two boys should not be allowed to have ANY gun, because of his irresponsibilty for causing injury to one of his sons by allowing easy acess to a loaded gun.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #16.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:07 PM EST
                                                                  Reply

                                                                  Even in America children (that includes most elected officials) should not play with guns. Arrests will follow--it's NYC. ©2013

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  Reply#17 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:54 AM EST

                                                                  How did either kid get hold of a gun? The parents are to blame. They should have taught the kids to leave the guns alone. Firearm safety is necessary if you have kids. Kids can be taught safe handling of a fire arm. I was safely handling firearms at 11. Scouts went to the National Guard armory and practiced.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  Reply#18 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:04 AM EST

                                                                  Wade...

                                                                  It's the BRONX.... 11 year old kids HAVE been recruited into gangs there. 11YO kids in gangs DO have guns stolen from other gangbangers. The parents might not have even known about the gun(s).

                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                  #18.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:16 AM EST

                                                                  Eleven year old kids make excellent drug mules, are frequently drafted. Until we know more about this incident, I'll not jump to any conclusions. Likely the NYC press will stifle the story...bad for tourism. Bad press about Bloomberg's town isn't allowed.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #18.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:01 PM EST

                                                                  OK, I've read enough comments to notice one thing. Everyone seems to assume that the gun belongs to the parents, who didn't secure it. All things considered, there is a distinct possibility that the parents had no knowledge of the gun. The 11 year old could have gotten it from other sources. Hell, for all we know the 11 year old could have been engaged in some other illegal activity, such as selling drugs (yes, it happens all the time) and gotten the gun from a "business associate". There's just not enough information in the article to make any assumptions.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #18.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:44 PM EST
                                                                  Reply

                                                                  When I come here and read the comments made by gun enthusiasts constantly name calling, it makes me wonder about their maturity. Just saying. Now y'all can jump on this post but keep in mind, I haven't said whether I'm a gun owner or not. What I will say is when a group of people come online and use this forum to blatantly insult it does little to further the cause...ya might say you're shooting yourself in the foot. ;)

                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                  Reply#19 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:04 AM EST

                                                                  americandaughter

                                                                  I agree.

                                                                  • 2 votes
                                                                  #19.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:42 AM EST

                                                                  I disagree, most of the name calling comes from the anti 2nd, anti gun crowd.

                                                                  • 3 votes
                                                                  #19.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:07 PM EST

                                                                  name calling comes from big bad azz people that are tough behind a computer screen, say things like heres my address come kick my butt, cause they know the person wont get on a plane,drive to their state or city blah blah blah, keyboard warriors, so these types are feeling safe behind that little screen

                                                                    #19.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:17 PM EST
                                                                    Reply

                                                                    10 Pro-Gun Myths, Shot Down

                                                                    Fact-checking some of the gun lobby's favorite arguments shows they're full of holes.

                                                                    —By Dave Gilson

                                                                    | Thu Jan. 31, 2013 3:01 AM PST

                                                                    By cutting off federal funding for research and stymieing data collection and sharing, the National Rifle Association has tried to do to the study of gun violence what climate deniers have done to the science of global warming. No wonder: When it comes to hard numbers, some of the gun lobby's favorite arguments are full of holes.

                                                                    Myth #1: They're coming for your guns.
                                                                    Fact-check: No one knows the exact number of guns in America, but it's clear there's no practical way to round them all up (never mind that no one in Washington is proposing this). Yet if you fantasize about rifle-toting citizens facing down the government, you'll rest easy knowing that America's roughly 80 million gun owners already have the feds and cops outgunned by a factor of around 79 to 1.

                                                                    Myth #2: Guns don't kill people—people kill people.
                                                                    Fact-check: People with more guns tend to kill more people—with guns. The states with the highest gun ownership rates have a gun murder rate 114% higher than those with the lowest gun ownership rates. Also, gun death rates tend to be higher in states with higher rates of gun ownership. Gun death rates are generally lower in states with restrictions such as assault-weapons bans or safe-storage requirements.

                                                                    Myth #3: An armed society is a polite society.
                                                                    Fact-check: Drivers who carry guns are 44% more likely than unarmed drivers to make obscene gestures at other motorists, and 77% more likely to follow them aggressively.
                                                                    • Among Texans convicted of serious crimes, those with concealed-handgun licenses were sentenced for threatening someone with a firearm 4.8 times more than those without.
                                                                    • In states with Stand Your Ground and other laws making it easier to shoot in self-defense, those policies have been linked to a 7 to 10% increase in homicides.

                                                                    See our full special report on gun laws and the rise of mass shootings in America.

                                                                    Myth #4: More good guys with guns can stop rampaging bad guys.
                                                                    Fact-check: Mass shootings stopped by armed civilians in the past 30 years: 0
                                                                    • Chances that a shooting at an ER involves guns taken from guards: 1 in 5

                                                                    Myth #5: Keeping a gun at home makes you safer.
                                                                    Fact-check: Owning a gun has been linked to higher risks of homicide, suicide, and accidental death by gun.
                                                                    • For every time a gun is used in self-defense in the home, there are 7 assaults or murders, 11 suicide attempts, and 4 accidents involving guns in or around a home.
                                                                    43% of homes with guns and kids have at least one unlocked firearm.
                                                                    • In one experiment, one third of 8-to-12-year-old boys who found a handgun pulled the trigger.

                                                                    Myth #6: Carrying a gun for self-defense makes you safer.
                                                                    Fact-check: In 2011, nearly 10 times more people were shot and killed in arguments than by civilians trying to stop a crime.
                                                                    • In one survey, nearly 1% of Americans reported using guns to defend themselves or their property. However, a closer look at their claims found that more than 50% involved using guns in an aggressive manner, such as escalating an argument.
                                                                    • A Philadelphia study found that the odds of an assault victim being shot were 4.5 times greater if he carried a gun. His odds of being killed were 4.2 times greater.

                                                                    Myth #7: Guns make women safer.
                                                                    Fact-check: In 2010, nearly 6 times more women were shot by husbands, boyfriends, and ex-partners than murdered by male strangers.
                                                                    • A woman's chances of being killed by her abuser increase more than 7 times if he has access to a gun.
                                                                    • One study found that women in states with higher gun ownership rates were 4.9 times more likely to be murdered by a gun than women in states with lower gun ownership rates.

                                                                    Myth #8: "Vicious, violent video games" deserve more blame than guns.
                                                                    Fact-check: So said NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre after Newtown. So what's up with Japan?

                                                                    Myth #9: More and more Americans are becoming gun owners.
                                                                    Fact-check: More guns are being sold, but they're owned by a shrinking portion of the population.
                                                                    About 50% of Americans said they had a gun in their homes in 1973. Today, about 45% say they do. Overall, 35% of Americans personally own a gun.
                                                                    • Around 80% of gun owners are men. On average they own 7.9 guns each.

                                                                    Myth #10: We don't need more gun laws—we just need to enforce the ones we have.
                                                                    Fact-check:
                                                                    Weak laws and loopholes backed by the gun lobby make it easier to get guns illegally.
                                                                    Around 40% of all legal gun sales involve private sellers and don't require background checks. 40% of prison inmates who used guns in their crimes got them this way.
                                                                    • An investigation found 62% of online gun sellers were willing to sell to buyers who said they couldn't pass a background check.
                                                                    20% of licensed California gun dealers agreed to sell handguns to researchers posing as illegal "straw" buyers.
                                                                    • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has not had a permanent director for 6 years, due to an NRA-backed requirement that the Senate approve nominees.

                                                                    This article has been updated.

                                                                    • 4 votes
                                                                    Reply#20 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:09 AM EST

                                                                    There are over 6,000,000 Concealed Carry Permit holders in the United States. How many of these commit gun crimes? I have yet to here a report that addresses this. I assure you without checking, every high profile shooting in the last 2 years was not at the hands of a licensed C.C. permit holder.

                                                                    • 5 votes
                                                                    #20.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:41 AM EST

                                                                    Fact checker you didn't list where you got your facts.

                                                                    • 5 votes
                                                                    #20.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:12 AM EST

                                                                    Drunk driver kills pedestrian, ban alcohol and cars (sarc). It's the human factor and its imperfections and failures Ban inanimate objects like guns while ignoring the real issue, focus on the human factor, it is the root of the problem. Obama wants the easier way to make political points.

                                                                    • 3 votes
                                                                    #20.3 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:43 AM EST

                                                                    @ bob johnson....

                                                                    Check out Dave Gilson of Mother Jones (Jan, 31, 2013)

                                                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                    @ Tad-401841....

                                                                    What the heck does Obama have to do with this article??

                                                                    Why does "your kind" always have to insert Obama's name into every fart or booger going thru your one-cell brains and sorry, pathetic lives?? If you can't please your boyfriend, by getting a hard-on-- you blame Obama. Why?

                                                                    If you have excessive snot running down your nose, you blame Obama. Why?

                                                                    • 1 vote
                                                                    #20.4 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:44 AM EST

                                                                    How eloquent of you CDJ55! 20.4 reads like a note passed in fourth grade! (You booger-brain, I'll get you at recess)

                                                                    • 2 votes
                                                                    #20.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:13 PM EST

                                                                    @C_D_J55.

                                                                    Really, you're citing Mother Jones as a reputable source? Go take another bong hit!

                                                                    • 1 vote
                                                                    #20.6 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:48 PM EST

                                                                    C_D_......... You must be high on ANTI-GUN peace pipe smoke.

                                                                    Your conclusions are sheer conjecture. You have ZERO consideration for the future and "UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES." Your statistics are woefully inaccurate. So, are your statistics from a city, a county, a state, the nation, the UN, some other nation OR the world??

                                                                    Which ones??????????????

                                                                    Myth #1... You have NO CLUE if "confiscation" will or can become a reality. It happened in Great Britain. It happened in Australia. The UN wants it. The US Gov't is involved in it. Ask Hillary.

                                                                    Myth #2... Where's your source of information? Your statements are unfounded. Maybe you should check in on Chicago... or is that place your "minor exception?" Are you from never never land?

                                                                    Myth #3... Sources? U R unfounded again.

                                                                    SEE OUR????????? Typical ANTI-GUN vomit... same as ANTI-AMERICAN vomit... traitor crap???

                                                                    Myth #4... You are completely IGNORANT here. In case you didn't know,... the FBI, CIA, city Police, county Sheriffs, state Troopers and any other law enforcement group in the USA does not keep comprehensive statistics on POSITIVE OUTCOMES from gun deployments.

                                                                    They only keep detailed reports from thorough investigations "when crimes, damage, injury or the likes occur with a gun" No one knows how many times the presence of guns on private citizens have deterred crime.

                                                                    Funny how you ANTI-GUN FREAKS tend to ignore stuff like that. Funny how banks employ armed security (NOT police) to foil robberies.

                                                                    Funny how you ONLY INCLUDE "mass shootings" in your twisted statistics.

                                                                    Myth #5... There you go again fool. You have NO CLUE how many times a gun presented at the door changed the mind of rapists, thugs, etc etc etc "especially in rural areas."

                                                                    Ask Moms who have saved their lives and those of her children from scum-bag thugs and would-be rapists. With home invasions on the rise in Greatt Britain, Australia and USA how can you say guns can't help as citizens adjust to these new threats? YOU CAN'T!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                    Myth #6... Your stats are NOT nationwide. Funny how that matters ain't it???

                                                                    Myth #7... "One study found???" You are making things up!!! It is obvious.

                                                                    Myth #8... YOU LOSE AGAIN.... Japan’s crime rates have always been ridiculously low, for reasons that have nothing to do with the possession of guns. The issues are cultural. And they can only be replicated in the United States by making the country more Japanese, in ways that liberals would positively hate, rather than by banning guns. Japan's murder rate has everything to do with immigration policy and almost NOTHING to do with gun ownership... http:// frontpagemag . com

                                                                    Myth #9... Sources Bub!??? Even if your 45% / 35% statistic were correct there are still a vast majority of Americans who DO NOT want US gun-owners to have anything less than what we already have. To put it simple... Americans will keep their 2nd Amendment and will remain WELL ARMED regardless of % gun owners. YOU LOSE AGAIN.

                                                                    Myth #10... Wrong again. WHAT INVESTIGATION???? You are simply making up percentages to suit your argument.

                                                                    So, put it up there wise guy. If you're going to use stats to make your case, quote your sources... like I did on Japan.... and then trace it back on Japan's history.

                                                                    • 1 vote
                                                                    #20.7 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:43 PM EST

                                                                    C_D: saw the same information else where and totally agree with you. Most people with guns tend to be more aggressive with their little friend on them. I grew up with guns, and still think most people don't have the brains to be smart about them.

                                                                      #20.8 - Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:30 AM EST

                                                                      Zannie84,

                                                                      "You Think?????????????" "You saw?????????????" You and C_D— will fit real well into the sheep herd of passivity. That's fine with us.

                                                                      When and if all hell breaks loose on the streets the both of you will come crawling to those of us who were born to preserve this nations Constitution and it's properly installed Amendments.

                                                                      It's either that or cow-tow to gangs, rogue cops and fearless criminals who no longer worry about an armed citizenry. Both of you are pathetic.... and YES, we will probably protect your cowardly lives.

                                                                        #20.9 - Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:30 AM EST

                                                                        Screw u, I have a brain and don't need you to save me. And guess what, if the nuts come out to destroy the country, I will be the first one to say "drop the drone on them". You people are a blight on this country

                                                                          #20.10 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:09 PM EST
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                                                                          Shotgun Joe Biden strikes again...the 11 year old got scared by some noise he thought was an intruder and rips off a round to scare away the intruder...Shotgun Joe Biden wasn't specific about aiming...Shotgun Joe said just let it rip...so the little kid was unfortunate to catch the bullet...but the good news is no intruder came in the house...

                                                                          • 1 vote
                                                                          Reply#21 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:18 AM EST

                                                                          Dee

                                                                          Every comment I read from you gets dumber.

                                                                          • 1 vote
                                                                          #21.1 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:38 AM EST

                                                                          @Grandpa-2986035

                                                                          Every comment I read from you gets dumber.

                                                                          Those who live in glass houses...

                                                                          • 1 vote
                                                                          #21.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:51 PM EST
                                                                          Reply

                                                                          Hopefully the little guy is ok and learned a valuable lesson. "Don't Play with Guns"

                                                                          • 1 vote
                                                                          Reply#22 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:19 AM EST

                                                                          It's horrifying to think about how much worse this could have been. The gun's owner needs to serve prison time.

                                                                          • 2 votes
                                                                          Reply#23 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:23 AM EST

                                                                          @redmoth

                                                                          The gun's owner needs to serve prison time.

                                                                          And the gun's owner is? Was it stolen? Oh yeah, we don't know.

                                                                          But of course, in your opinion someone needs to go to prison!

                                                                            #23.2 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:55 PM EST
                                                                            Reply

                                                                            Stupid parents! You can own a gun, but you do NOT leave it accessible to children or anyone else!

                                                                            • 2 votes
                                                                            Reply#24 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:35 AM EST

                                                                            Sounds like more bad parenting, These jerks had a loaded gun (or a gun with bullets easily available) in an apartment with small children. To bad the kids didn't accidentally shoot them - they would probably have wound up with more responsible people taking care of them.

                                                                            • 1 vote
                                                                            Reply#25 - Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:36 AM EST
                                                                            freedsfsDeleted
                                                                            Reply
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