# A new record! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [October 2, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804 "2017-10-02T13:09:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/1 "2017-10-02T13:09:00Z")
At least 50 dead, 200 injured in Las Vegas shooting. Just another red-blooded American taking advantage of his Second Amendment freedoms! And not only that, he set a new record for deaths in a mass shooting. What a tough mark for the next guy to try to top, but I’m sure it’ll happen soon enough. Go U.S.A.!
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/2 "2017-10-02T13:12:32Z")
I’m wondering how the NRA and gun nuts will spin this to suggest what we really need are more guns to prevent things like this from happening.
EDIT: Also, CNN has the injured at [400](http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/02/us/las-vegas-shooter/index.html). Many came from the stampede the shooting caused.
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### Author:  [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/3 "2017-10-02T13:13:35Z")
Now, now, guns don’t kill people; it’s those little hard things that come out of them.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/4 "2017-10-02T13:13:58Z")
You may also be pleased to know that the stock prices for gun manufacturers is up in pre-market trading. Ruger is up 4%, and Smith & Wesson up 5%.
Investors clearly know who is really responsible for the tragedy, as MGM stocks are down about 5%. I like hotels that keep gunmen out. Sad!
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### Author:  [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/5 "2017-10-02T13:25:09Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> I’m wondering how the NRA and gun nuts will spin this to suggest what we really need are more guns to prevent things like this from happening.
Yeah, if everyone in the crowd was carrying, then…400 people would be shooting 9mm up 36 floors back at the shooter, and probably killing or injuring dozens more people staying in the hotel. What could go wrong?
Bets the cheetolini won’t even acknowedge that the shooting happened, and that the “T” word will not be uttered by the admin or Faux news?
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### Author:  [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/6 "2017-10-02T13:28:34Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I’m wondering how the NRA and gun nuts will spin this to suggest what we really need are more guns to prevent things like this from happening.
who needs the NRA? just heard a CBS reporter interviewing a man who assumes we need to re-visit arming all the hotel’s security staff. because guns are the answer. ☹
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### Author:  [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/7 "2017-10-02T13:35:52Z")
Hell, let’s arm the housemaids and the bell hops. It’s the only way we can all be safe.
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### Author:  [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/8 "2017-10-02T13:38:08Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> EDIT: Also, CNN has the injured at [400](http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/02/us/las-vegas-shooter/index.html). Many came from the stampede the shooting caused.
Well, that’s _their_ fault. They should have stampeded up 30 stories of hotel wall to charge the shooter!
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### Author:  [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/9 "2017-10-02T13:39:05Z")
But if they took the guns away the nutter would have just killed all those people with a knife, or something…
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### Author:  [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/10 "2017-10-02T13:41:26Z")
[Gun company CEOs are giddy with joy today.](http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gun-maker-stocks-surge-after-mass-shooting-in-las-vegas-2017-10-02)
Stocks way up. At least someone is happy.
[Sandy Hook victim’s mother: Congress to blame in Las Vegas shooting](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/353381-sandy-hook-victims-mother-congress-is-to-blame-for-las-vegas)
> [@](#):
>
> “In America we value guns, flags & fake acts of patriotism over people, pain & real acts of courage,” she wrote.
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### Author:  [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/11 "2017-10-02T13:43:55Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#):
>
> . . . Bets the cheetolini won’t even acknowedge that the shooting happened, and that the “T” word will not be uttered by the admin or Faux news?
Alex Jones will claim the whole thing was staged by actors, just like Sandy Hook.
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### Author:  [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/12 "2017-10-02T13:45:17Z")
I blame those NFL players who take a knee during the National Anthem. It’s that kind of total disrespect for our flag that encourages these shooters.
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### Author:  [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/13 "2017-10-02T13:46:04Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#):
>
> Yeah, if everyone in the crowd was carrying, then…400 people would be shooting 9mm up 36 floors back at the shooter, and probably killing or injuring dozens more people staying in the hotel. What could go wrong?
>
> Bets the cheetolini won’t even acknowedge that the shooting happened, and that the “T” word will not be uttered by the admin or Faux news?
He acknowledged it a couple of hours ago.
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### Author:  [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/14 "2017-10-02T13:51:20Z")
Sadly, for many people the carnage is the price they are all too willing to accept for the “right” to amass a large arsenal and fantasize about someday ending someone’s life.
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### Author:  [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/15 "2017-10-02T13:53:09Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#):
>
> who needs the NRA? just heard a CBS reporter interviewing a man who assumes we need to re-visit arming all the hotel’s security staff. because guns are the answer. ☹
Well… having a trained, practiced, ex-police or ex-military security officer on-site, with a licensed and registered firearm, to provide an immediate response and coordinate with the police and other first responders, is not necessarily the \*worst \*idea.
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### Author:  [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/16 "2017-10-02T13:58:12Z")
My thoughts are with all the injured, who will probably now be bankrupted for needing hospital care. America!!!
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/17 "2017-10-02T13:59:33Z")
> [@Alessan](#):
>
> Well… having a trained, practiced, ex-police or ex-military security officer on-site, with a licensed and registered firearm, to provide an immediate response and coordinate with the police and other first responders, is not necessarily the \*worst \*idea.
Your response reminds me of this:
‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, “Put a fence ’round the edge of the cliff,”
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful,” they said,
“And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.”
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.”
“Oh he’s a fanatic,” the others rejoined,
“Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We’ll support them forever.
Aren’t we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?”
But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ’tis best
To prevent other people from falling.”
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence ’round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
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### Author:  [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/18 "2017-10-02T14:01:24Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> Sadly, for many people the carnage is the price they are all too willing to accept for the “right” to amass a large arsenal and fantasize about someday ending someone’s life.
As a society, we pay a lot of prices for the choices we make. How many died from alcohol-related accidents or the effects of alcohol in the last month? But I figured that this incident would have all of the anti-gun folks climbing out of the woodwork, even those these crazy one-off lone wolf attacks account for only a small percentage of gun deaths.
If this were a thread pitting the asshole who decided it was a good idea to go out and murder 50 people, injuring hundreds more I’d be all over jumping on the bandwagon. Instead, it’s just another stupid wankfest, so I’ll bow out and let you guys get to wanking.
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### Author:  [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/19 "2017-10-02T14:07:03Z")
> [@Alessan](#):
>
> Well… having a trained, practiced, ex-police or ex-military security officer on-site, with a licensed and registered firearm, to provide an immediate response and coordinate with the police and other first responders, is not necessarily the \*worst \*idea.
You’re used to living in a country where there’s an abundant supply of people who know WTF they’re doing with guns. (There’s something to be said for near-universal conscription.) The U.S. has an abundant supply of people who have guns and fantasize about having a chance to be a hero with it.
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### Author:  [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/20 "2017-10-02T14:07:42Z")
> [@Alessan](#):
>
> Well… having a trained, practiced, ex-police or ex-military security officer on-site, with a licensed and registered firearm, to provide an immediate response and coordinate with the police and other first responders, is not necessarily the \*worst \*idea.
It’s not a particularly _good_ idea, though, considering that all this carnage was committed in four or five minutes total by a sniper-style shooter firing out of a hotel room window. By the time your “trained, practiced” security shooter had figured out what was going on and “provided an immediate [_sic_] response”, hundreds of people would already have been injured or dead.
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