I don't even know about this story yet, other than the title and the allusions of the replies, yet I can imagine, sadly, what broadly transpired. These sorts of tragedies seem to be increasing in frequency of late and now, to add to the horror, they're becoming more and more a part of the modern world (or at least, largely, the USA), but it's never anything less than terrible.
I'm staying away from any political or social arguments on this though, though I have some strong opinions on this particular issue, as I rather prefer this place to be somewhere where that's free of that sort of discussion. Obviously this is a 'general' forum and anyone's free to do as they wish, but discussions about politics (or religion) are statistically likely not to end well (especially on the internet) and that sort of thing can breed animosity and drama between players who previously were quite happy when they were mostly chatting about the Simpsons.
We have to have insurance coverage to drive a car, we have to have medical malpractice insurance to practice medicine. I believe that if someone wishes to own a gun, the gun must be registered, made to go through a ballistics test once a year and the owner must carry a $5 million insurance coverage on each weapon they own. If their weapon is used by them or someone else, they are still held accountable becuase it was their gun.
Assault rifles semiautomatic or otherwise should be restricted to law enforcement and that "well-regulated" militia referred to in the constitution. Thr NRA and other gun clibs and groups should be required to certify every gun owner and weapon once a year. I have to register and license my car, so should they.
my thoughts are with the families and the community of Newtown.
We can't imagine their loss and fears.
When in Spring 2012, 22 kids and 6 adults died in a buscrash after their schooltrip. The world sended Tons of messages to the community, can we now do the Same?
I didn't know this happened until I saw this thread, I will check the news later.
Just checked on the Internet and can see the news. But 20 little children dead? Unbelievable and the deed done by a youngster himself, only 20?
Brings back memories of the Dunblane Scotland incident 16 children dead.
This is similar to the Hungerford massacre in the sense that he too killed his mother after she tried to reason with him. He went on throughout Hungerford killing 16 people's dead, 15 others injured, but not at a school.
I cannot understand the mindset of these specific ones who want to kill innocent little children aged 5 and upwards. It beggars belief. Probably the idea is, is to hurt where it hurts the most.
My heart goes out to the families, as I have 4 daughters myself.
There is nothing more chilling than watching your child doing an intruder drill.
I am the photographer for my sons school and their yearbook editor (both volunteer positions) and I photographed them last year when they did their first drill. I was almost in tears thinking about why we even had to do this thing.
Our school sounds the fire alarm while saying a code word over and over. All the kids are instructed to run into the bathroom that is in every class room. The teacher locks and bares the door, they shove their coats against the door so that no light will shine through and huddle together while the teachers get on their cell phones.
They have done this drill so many times that it is second nature to them..
Our school keeps all doors locked, the doors that go back to the classroom (heavy double doors) are also kept locked at all times. It bothers me that they are so "secured" there is even a new private school that went up in our town (we also attend a private school) that was built with security specifically in mind.
What sort of world is this that they even have to do this? We never had to do anything like this when we were in school
By the way, I live in Virginia. Our governor implemented these drills after the tragedy at Virginia Tech a couple of years ago.
There is nothing more chilling than watching your child doing an intruder drill.
I am the photographer for my sons school and their yearbook editor (both volunteer positions) and I photographed them last year when they did their first drill. I was almost in tears thinking about why we even had to do this thing.
Our school sounds the fire alarm while saying a code word over and over. All the kids are instructed to run into the bathroom that is in every class room. The teacher locks and bares the door, they shove their coats against the door so that no light will shine through and huddle together while the teachers get on their cell phones.
They have done this drill so many times that it is second nature to them..
Our school keeps all doors locked, the doors that go back to the classroom (heavy double doors) are also kept locked at all times. It bothers me that they are so "secured" there is even a new private school that went up in our town (we also attend a private school) that was built with security specifically in mind.
What sort of world is this that they even have to do this? We never had to do anything like this when we were in school
By the way, I live in Virginia. Our governor implemented these drills after the tragedy at Virginia Tech a couple of years ago.
Wow, that is chilling, that's a million miles from what I grew up with, or what my niece and nephews will grow up with. (same age category as the children attending sandy elementary) I only hope that some agreement can be made, so this doesn't become the norm, no child should have to practice, quick, run and hide, as psycho is on the loose drill. What a way to awaken them to the world.
I was a mentor at my old high school a few years ago before moving to Connecticut (only a few miles from Newtown) and the security to get into the school was incredibly lax. It was protocol to sign in at the main office of course, but I go could go in and out of any door without question. I think every district should seriously consider the measures that your town has put in place, lissarv.
Horrible tragedy. Beautiful kids and beautiful people were killed by a mad man. Not a good day. I hugged my daughter a lot last night. Terrible. Reading the stories is really tough. And sorry, gun laws in the US are not the issue. A man in China sliced and stabbed 22 kids and 5 adults. Is China going to ban knives? It's the person wielding the weapons, not the weapons. More gun control isn't going to stop people getting guns.
I was a mentor at my old high school a few years ago before moving to Connecticut (only a few miles from Newtown) and the security to get into the school was incredibly lax. It was protocol to sign in at the main office of course, but I go could go in and out of any door without question. I think every district should seriously consider the measures that your town has put in place, lissarv.
I agree.
It broke my heart watching them do this drill but I do believe that every school should have some sort of action plan in place. Unfortunately it took all those students being killed at Virginia Tech for our state to make this part of their drills. We do fire, tornado, and now intruder drills.
There are some public schools that are far too lax. Those worry me and I would never send my child to one but the majority of our schools are very secure.
I kept my son close all day yesterday, he's pretty sick of me about now and has sought refuge from mama smothering in his room lol.
I am just sick over this. I can not imagine the pain the people in this community must be experiencing. It is a life changing event for so many people.
Mental illness sucks. My brother suffered from mental illness. He commited suicide in 2007 and I am grateful that he never physically hurt anyone else.
This incident is horrible, but it is equally disgusting that people use these events to push there political agenda on Gun Control. Take your political views however incorrect they are and shelve it.
This incident is horrible, but it is equally disgusting that people use these events to push there political agenda on Gun Control. Take your political views however incorrect they are and shelve it.
I doubt it's that , I'm sure many people just want to prevent it from re-occurring.
If you read the original post by the OP you will notice there is no talk of gun control. I took from it that he is upset that many people who suffer from mental illness have fallen through the cracks and society has abandoned the families who seek help. He speaks of his own personal turmoil at the loss of his sister. If there was a better system in place, perhaps this type of devastation could be prevented.
It matters not the choice of weapon but the mind set to destroy and if those who are ill with this intention cannot be controlled, then there lies the issue, not the weapon.
If you read the original post by the OP you will notice there is no talk of gun control. I took from it that he is upset that many people who suffer from mental illness have fallen through the cracks and society has abandoned the families who seek help. He speaks of his own personal turmoil at the loss of his sister. If there was a better system in place, perhaps this type of devastation could be prevented.
It matters not the choice of weapon but the mind set to destroy and if those who are ill with this intention cannot be controlled, then there lies the issue, not the weapon.
Switzerland has more guns per person than most countries in the world but has one of he lowest crime rates in the world. The issue is that America gives guns to just about anyone who can say their own name no matter what the mental state they're in. Here in the Uk the last gun problem was 1996. My son was born that year so I remember it. Hopefully like it dd here this will finally spark a change in gun laws in the us as those families just lost a huge part of there life so close to one of the happiest times of the year. RIP
Replies
I'm staying away from any political or social arguments on this though, though I have some strong opinions on this particular issue, as I rather prefer this place to be somewhere where that's free of that sort of discussion. Obviously this is a 'general' forum and anyone's free to do as they wish, but discussions about politics (or religion) are statistically likely not to end well (especially on the internet) and that sort of thing can breed animosity and drama between players who previously were quite happy when they were mostly chatting about the Simpsons.
Maybe not quite as deadly, but you can kill a lot of people with a knife:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-19091840
Assault rifles semiautomatic or otherwise should be restricted to law enforcement and that "well-regulated" militia referred to in the constitution. Thr NRA and other gun clibs and groups should be required to certify every gun owner and weapon once a year. I have to register and license my car, so should they.
We can't imagine their loss and fears.
When in Spring 2012, 22 kids and 6 adults died in a buscrash after their schooltrip. The world sended Tons of messages to the community, can we now do the Same?
Just checked on the Internet and can see the news. But 20 little children dead? Unbelievable and the deed done by a youngster himself, only 20?
Brings back memories of the Dunblane Scotland incident 16 children dead.
This is similar to the Hungerford massacre in the sense that he too killed his mother after she tried to reason with him. He went on throughout Hungerford killing 16 people's dead, 15 others injured, but not at a school.
I cannot understand the mindset of these specific ones who want to kill innocent little children aged 5 and upwards. It beggars belief. Probably the idea is, is to hurt where it hurts the most.
My heart goes out to the families, as I have 4 daughters myself.
I am the photographer for my sons school and their yearbook editor (both volunteer positions) and I photographed them last year when they did their first drill. I was almost in tears thinking about why we even had to do this thing.
Our school sounds the fire alarm while saying a code word over and over. All the kids are instructed to run into the bathroom that is in every class room. The teacher locks and bares the door, they shove their coats against the door so that no light will shine through and huddle together while the teachers get on their cell phones.
They have done this drill so many times that it is second nature to them..
Our school keeps all doors locked, the doors that go back to the classroom (heavy double doors) are also kept locked at all times. It bothers me that they are so "secured" there is even a new private school that went up in our town (we also attend a private school) that was built with security specifically in mind.
What sort of world is this that they even have to do this? We never had to do anything like this when we were in school
By the way, I live in Virginia. Our governor implemented these drills after the tragedy at Virginia Tech a couple of years ago.
Wow, that is chilling, that's a million miles from what I grew up with, or what my niece and nephews will grow up with. (same age category as the children attending sandy elementary) I only hope that some agreement can be made, so this doesn't become the norm, no child should have to practice, quick, run and hide, as psycho is on the loose drill. What a way to awaken them to the world.
I agree.
It broke my heart watching them do this drill but I do believe that every school should have some sort of action plan in place. Unfortunately it took all those students being killed at Virginia Tech for our state to make this part of their drills. We do fire, tornado, and now intruder drills.
There are some public schools that are far too lax. Those worry me and I would never send my child to one but the majority of our schools are very secure.
I kept my son close all day yesterday, he's pretty sick of me about now and has sought refuge from mama smothering in his room lol.
Mental illness sucks. My brother suffered from mental illness. He commited suicide in 2007 and I am grateful that he never physically hurt anyone else.
I doubt it's that
It matters not the choice of weapon but the mind set to destroy and if those who are ill with this intention cannot be controlled, then there lies the issue, not the weapon.