Guns Rule OK?
17/04/07 13:19 | Personal
Gun Shop
Once again, America and the most of the world are in shock during the aftermath of what was America's worst criminal shooting yesterday. Thirty two people at the Virginia Tech University were killed as a gunman rampaged across the campus. Questions will inevitably be asked about the authorities handling of the situation but one thing is certain, there will be a re-opening of the same old tired gun debate that has raged for years and seen countless lives lost during the time it has continued. It is doubtful if anything will come of the debate as the all powerful pro-gun lobby will once again dig in and put forward the most ridiculous arguments in favour of gun ownership.

I was shocked to hear one such argument put forward by a pro gun lobbyist interviewed on the BBC news last evening. He stated the belief that if the students had all been armed, the gunman would not have been able to carry out the crime to the extent he did. While I might be tempted to concede that the gunman might have been shot earlier, how many others would have been caught in the crossfire? It is a ridiculous argument and one that does not hold up to logical examination.

As a European, I find it almost inconceivable that an individual can buy weapons so easily and use them so often, as the citizens of the US. It is possible for one individual to own literally scores of weapons and ammunition without any stringent check into the person's background or need. They are not only weapons confined to personal protection but many are classed as military assault weapons and have devastating firepower. Why would anyone need these unless they have something seriously wrong with their outlook on life?

We all know the tired old argument put forward about the individual's right to bear arms, but surely there must also be a right to be able to study and plan for the future, in what is normally a quiet University, without the possibility of being killed.
If you are in any doubt about that premise then I suggest you ask the families of the victims!!

(It is reported that around 30,000 people die from gunshot wounds in the United States every year and there are more guns in private hands than in any other country)
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