Violent video games and movies is a useless point to me. I grew up playing the most violent games of the times...Doom and the like...I've never killed anyone (when it wasnt nessesary), nor do I have the desire to.
It's not solely the parents fault though...but, to some degree, I believe it is. Parents instill values into their children, whether they try to or not. It's just the way a human being is.
I believe that people should be educated on the actual statistics, and the reasons behind those statistics and not just rely on what the media has to say. People think..."well, if it doesnt directly effect me, then I dont have to worry about", which is the biggest load of crap, IMO.
To the guy that said, way back in an earlier post..."I think citizens should have access to the same firearms as law enforcement and military"...not to be rude and this just my opinion...but IMO, you fall into the category of people who should not be allowed to possess a firearm. Guns are not toys, nor are they available for you to show your friends and look cool, or tough. You do not need a fully automatic weapon to defend yourself, your home, or your family...it wont do any better than a handgun or a shotgun.
Children die, in this country every year, by shooting themselves or another child for the simple fact that parents are careless...that's plain and simple, if you ask me. Common sense is...dont put a firearm and ammunition within easy reach of child. You want to protect your home and family, you say??...ok then...protect your curious children by being responsible.
I think gun laws, in this country, are becoming (or will become) too strict. Ban the automatics for the common person, yes...have a more through system of allowing who can possess a firearm. But, my question is this...is a shotgun, in the hands of an angry psycho, any less dangerous than a fully automatic weapon?? IMO, I dont think so.
I've worked in SWAT type and anti-terrorist units, as well...to me, someone with a handgun is just as dangerous as someone with a fully automatic rifle.
It's not the firearms that should be restricted...it's that we need better rules and regulations concerning the people that should be able to possess them.
I just recently moved from Chicago, where I read a newspaper article within the past year. A man and his family lived in an upper scale suburb of Chicago. In this suburb, they have a mandatory law, prohibiting ANYONE from owning ANY type of gun, including handguns. One night, a burgler broke in, stole a large quantity of valuables and left (but not before taking the keys to the owners BWM SUV). A few nights later, that same burgler returned, intending to steal the SUV...and, he returned with a pistol.
The homeowner owned a handgun, even though he wasnt supposed to. He confronted the burgler, right outside his own daughters bedroom and when the burgler saw the homeowner had a firearm, he fired a shot at the homeowner and then tried to get away. The homeowner shot him in the leg (intentionally), incapacitating him and then called the cops.
When the police arrived on scene, not only did they arrest the burlger, but they also arrested the home owner for possessing a firearm. Now, do you think that's right? Say that homeowner didnt own that firearm and was unarmed, while the burgler still had his own pistol...things would have certainly been different.