Does the Florida incident concern you?

[Chisamba]

Let me start out by saying that I understand, logically, that Islamic immigrants does not equate to domestic terrorist,. But in light of the horrible incident in Orlando, do you become more concerned about immigrants from regions of extremist influence?

I feel incredibly sad for the victims and their friends and family .

Yes I realize this will likely become a anti gun thread. I happen to believed people who want to do I'll can find a way to do it regardless of legality.

[Tuffytown]

No, Why would it. He was not an immigrant and per his family was historically not a religious person. He was a homophobe.

I wonder what radicalized him?

Does the California incident concern you?

I should qualify that. It does not concern me in relation to immigrants. It does concern and sadden me in relation to the hateful rhetoric targeted towards lbgt and others that has taken over much of the political discussion lately.

[Code3]

It does not concern me in relation to immigrants. It does concern and sadden me in relation to the hateful rhetoric targeted towards lbgt and others that has taken over much of the political discussion lately.

This. I'm not concerned about immigrants. The vast majority of shootings have nothing to do with Islam or immigrants. Plus my understanding was that the shooter was born in New York.

I worry about hate speech. I worry about easy accessibility to assault rifles.

[Chisamba]

If you mean the" self radicalized" California ok incident,. And the Boston Marathon incident, then yes. They both do.

I can not pretended the fact that the parents came from radical countries makes no difference. In suppose the parentage of Abdu- Salha had nothing to do with it either.

So yes,.

I will say, as an aside, as a Christian it irritates the hell out of me when Christians are stupid and prejudiced and do things that I consider against the real teachings of Christ.

[Chisamba]

I guess that means I still have things to work on. What a relief, imagined how impossible I would beer if I were perfect .

Maybe I should worry more about the American influence

[Tuffytown]

Actually no, I meant the 20 year old white man arrested last night with multiple AR's and bomb making materials headed to the LA gay pride parade.

I reiterate, the immigrants don't scare me, religious extremists of any denomination do.

[Chisamba]

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." -Fred Rogers

[musical comedy]

Actually no, I meant the 20 year old white man arrested last night with multiple AR's and bomb making materials headed to the LA gay pride parade.

With all the coverage going to the Orlando incident, this one isn't getting much attention. It was a bit of a fluke that they caught this guy. He admitted he intended to do harm and he has a record along with other concerning habits with guns.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-m ... story.html

[heddylamar]

Why would immigration suddenly become a concern?

Millions of people have immigrated to the US under less than stellar circumstances. Individuals should not be judged on the actions of the whole, and the whole group should not be poisoned by a handful of individuals.

Bringing guns into the equation, I am more concerned that someone who was investigated *twice* by the FBI wasn't on some sort of watch list. Why was he still carrying a firearm for work? How was he able to buy more?

And why is forcing your views on others somehow okay? Isn't this a basic child/adolescent life lesson?

[Flight]

I think it's the actions that these people (haters from whatever the agenda) are going to that is really disturbing.
Shooting numerous people etc.

[Spiritpaws]

I don't think immigration is the issue, although certain politicians want to make it so.

Who the hell needs to buy an AK-47 except someone with the intention of killing humans. I think assault weapons should be banned.

Ultimately it is hate, and rage that we must stand against.

[Tabby]

I'd like to respond to this thread but you all know what my opinion is so I'll leave it at that. These things make me very sad and the fact that nothing will be done makes me even sadder.

[boots-aregard]

Immigration is a problem only insofar as it gives the fearful an excuse to act out of fear, and gives the haters and excuse to act out of hate. That may not be the case in this instance (Orlando and California).

But I don't know that these folks need an excuse. I think the hateful rhetoric is whipping up folks with little control.

[PaulaO]

The violence against the LGBT community concerns me. A person who has 2 legal semi/automatic weapon opening fire on a club concerns me. The hate that will spew against immigrants and Muslims concerns me. The fact that Donald Trump is making this about himself and his campaign concerns me.

I'll say it right now, my opinion is that all guns, semi/automatic, hand, whatever, should be banned. Police can carry guns, hunters can have rifles, but that is it.

[piedmontfields]

Maybe I should worry more about the American influence

I certainly do! We are a pretty messed up people.

If you look at the recent history of mass killings in the US, what they all have in common is MEN were the killers.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... -s-history

[Tabby]

If you look at the recent history of mass killings in the US, what they all have in common is MEN were the killers.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... -s-history

Not exactly. The San Bernardino shootings were done by a husband and wife.

What they have in common is they all used guns that they should not have had access to if one expect any reasonable measure of safety from this sort of thing. But let's keep blaming immigrants, mentally ill and even men.

[piedmontfields]

Not exactly. The San Bernardino shootings were done by a husband and wife.

Sorry--true. And that was actually quite unusual, although the overall record around violent crimes does point to men most of the time.

Are you invoking the phrase "people don't kill people, guns kill people"?
IME, both people *and* guns can kill people! But guns help people kill more quickly and in a more de-personalized way.

FYI, I am a gun owner, hunter, not a member of the NRA and very much in favor of stringent gun control on most weapons. At the very least, I'd like it to be as hard to buy a gun as it is to get a driver's license!

[Tabby]

I completely agree. And I'd like to see guns regulated in a similar way as motor vehicles with various safety components in their engineering and assembly and limits as to how they perform and degrees of licenses as to who can drive what vehicle with what credentials. Nobody complains that it's too hard to get a license to drive a school bus or that regulated specifications on that bus are too onerous

[PaulaO]

Make getting a gun as difficult as getting an abortion. Show graphic videos, call the parents...

[piedmontfields]

Make getting a gun as difficult as getting an abortion. Show graphic videos, call the parents...

IMO, it should be much easier to get an abortion.

[PaulaO]

Make getting a gun as difficult as getting an abortion. Show graphic videos, call the parents...

IMO, it should be much easier to get an abortion.

Of course getting an abortion should be easier, but it's not. Easier to get an assault weapon than to have control over your own body.

http://www.greenberg-art.com/.Toons/.To ... ign=buffer

[Tabby]

Make getting a gun as difficult as getting an abortion. Show graphic videos, call the parents...

IMO, it should be much easier to get an abortion.

Don't be ridiculous - even the fiercest anti-gun activists aren't asking to make it that hard to get a gun. And considering that graphic videos of these massacres are broadcast almost daily in the news, that tactic doesn't appear to be working anyway. Surprise - it doesn't work for abortion either. Or tobacco (have you seen Canadian cigarette packages these days?).

[Ryeissa]

Ummm he was gay himself so better check facts!
http://nypost.com/2016/06/13/shooter-us ... ting-apps/

[orono]

The article about him being gay looks a little sketchy, but even if it's true it doesn't prove anything. Hitler is said to have Jewish ancestry.

[PaulaO]

Make getting a gun as difficult as getting an abortion. Show graphic videos, call the parents...

IMO, it should be much easier to get an abortion.

Don't be ridiculous - even the fiercest anti-gun activists aren't asking to make it that hard to get a gun. And considering that graphic videos of these massacres are broadcast almost daily in the news, that tactic doesn't appear to be working anyway. Surprise - it doesn't work for abortion either. Or tobacco (have you seen Canadian cigarette packages these days?).

Honey, it's a CARTOON. Lighten up.

[Chisamba]

If you look at the recent history of mass killings in the US, what they all have in common is MEN were the killers.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... -s-history

Not exactly. The San Bernardino shootings were done by a husband and wife.

What they have in common is they all used guns that they should not have had access to if one expect any reasonable measure of safety from this sort of thing. But let's keep blaming immigrants, mentally ill and even men.

Also not true,. There Boston Marathon brothers and Timothy McVeigh used explosives. 911 used air planes .

[Tabby]

Chisamba - the list in that link are the largest mass killings so the Boston Marathon isn't in there. Curiously, 911 isn't in there either and I'm not quite certain why.

PaulaO:

Honey, it's a CARTOON. Lighten up.

The last comment on my quote was about Canadian cigarette packages so on my first glance at this, I read "It's a CARTON, light up"!!!

[PaulaO]

Oooh, I wish I could light up!