# So have we the Americana public finally reached the level that mass shootings are just a part of life in America like bombings and shootings are in the middle east? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2023, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836 "2023-04-18T07:12:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/41 "2023-04-19T23:39:24Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > There are other things that could make a big difference, like getting rid of laws that permit carrying guns in public. So far, those do not seem to increase the violent crime rate. The gun murder rate is caused mostly by gang/drug gun fights, where since they can’t carry gun legally anyway, they wouldnt carry guns out in public, nor do they. However, you are correct in that there are laws that can help. Biden passed one law that will inhibit “straw man” sales and sellers. More is needed. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/42 "2023-04-19T23:47:52Z")
Within the past half hour or so, I heard someone say on MSNBC that gun ownership was never meant to be about hatred of “others”, or owning the libs. He was right. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/43 "2023-04-20T00:17:51Z")
It would not require repealing the second amendment to vastly improve the situation. It would require a sane reading of it by SCOTUS. The second makes the context of right to bear arms in the context of a “well regulated” militia and seems to be about guaranteeing the states the right to have their own militia. And that was the interpretation given to the amendment for many years until an out-of-control SCOTUS decided otherwise. Now the court has gone further and forbade states from regulating guns. Another point is that from 1984 to 2004 there was a ban on assault rifles. But the law had a 20 year sunset clause (I don’t know why) and the Republican congress declined to renew it. The original law was passed in the context of the assasination attempt on Reagan who strongly supported it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/44 "2023-04-20T01:16:23Z")
Although to be honest, right now Governor DeSantis of Florida is trying to create a state-level militia that answers only to him personally. It will not be in any sense connected to the federal armed forces like the current state-level National Guard is. He is aiming for a Praetorian force he can deploy at will. And that as a miitary force is not subject to any of the various laws that restrict how law enforcement officers and organizations must behave vs citizens, rights, evidence, justice, etc. They will be purely coercive power emanating from the muzzle of a gun. I’m not sure SCOTUS encouraging red states full of red state gun-owners to each form their own state level state-sanctioned armed terrorist gangs is really a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/45 "2023-04-20T02:41:06Z")
And you just know that there are a LOT of ammosexuals who would sign right up. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/46 "2023-04-20T16:44:46Z")
45 posts in and no one has mentioned _Brazil_ yet? One of the best movies where terrorist attacks are considered mundane events. I considered it ludicrous in this respect when it came. Not so much now. Um, what’s the sound? Oh, someone seems to be cutting a big hole in the ceili ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/47 "2023-04-21T19:44:20Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Another point is that from 1984 to 2004 there was a ban on assault rifles. But the law had a 20 year sunset clause (I don’t know why) and the Republican congress declined to renew it. A sorta ban- a ban on selling or importing them. Sure, we could do that again. It wouldn’t reduce the murder rate any, but maybe cut down on the body count on some of the “crazy person open fire with a AR15” type shooting. I am mildly in favor or it, but dont expect a lot. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/48 "2023-04-22T07:13:14Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Were these incidents happening all along, but once upon a time they were local news only? No. These stories go national rather quickly. Even more so 15 or 20 years ago when it wasn’t weekly occurrence. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/49 "2023-04-22T13:54:04Z")
They have been occurring back as far as the 1920s that I know of, albeit rarely. Those tended to be local news. But since, say, the 1980s this stuff is usually national news. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/50 "2023-04-22T15:27:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Considering that [the Middle East and North Africa experienced 23,000 terrorist attacks](https://www.statista.com/statistics/489581/terrorist-attacks-by-region/) during the period of 2007-2022, I think “normalized” is a fair word to use. I don’t. You’re comparing a 15 year period, and including countries that were _at war_. By this token, you may as well say that shootings are normalized in Europe, because there’s been, like, _loads_ in Ukraine. Anyway, in terms of the OP, the answer is no: mass shootings are far more normalized than terrorist bombings in the middle east. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/51 "2023-04-22T22:43:18Z")
How about Winfield, KS in 1903? [Winfield, Kansas - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield,_Kansas#:~:text=On%20August%2013%2C%201903%2C%2030,others%20died%20in%20hospitals%20afterward). ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/52 "2023-04-22T23:36:33Z")
Somewhat related - a pro-gun elected official’s (I meant to note who it was but I think a U.S. Congressman) answer when questioned about gun violence in schools was (paraphrased) “I home school my kids”. I don’t know why these people who are so against common sense regulations don’t just come out and say it. “Yes, its a shame so many people are dying by gunfire but that’s just the cost of freedom.” I truly believe that’s how they think but lack the courage to say so publicly. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/53 "2023-04-23T00:10:36Z")
When I was in USAF we had a jokey saying that was often printed on bumper stickers: > Jet Noise. The Sound of Freedom Which was partly designed to pre-empt whining from the townies about us disturbing their peace. Seems to me some enterprising soul ought to print up some bumper stickers with a picture of an assault rifle and the words > Dead schoolkids. The Price of Freedom Then see how many you sell and do something to cause the buyers to be investigated under the various “too anti-social / psycho to be allowed to have guns” laws that have been passed in some jurisdictions. Call it a honeypot for the deranged end of the ammosexuals. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/54 "2023-04-23T00:18:35Z")
Mods: is “ammosexual” appropriate outside of the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/55 "2023-04-23T00:30:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Call it a honeypot for the deranged end of the ammosexuals. I think the majority of buyers would be pro gun control. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/56 "2023-04-23T00:41:30Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Mods: is “ammosexual” appropriate outside of the Pit? …I think best practice is to report the post if you think it is inappropriate, as moderators are _unlikely_ to randomly stumble across a random post in a random thread. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/57 "2023-04-23T01:29:17Z")
Speaking solely for myself, it still rips my heart out every time. I don’t think I can become inured to this, but never say never. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/58 "2023-04-23T01:50:48Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Mods: is “ammosexual” appropriate outside of the Pit? That’s a good question. Thanks for the criticism. That probably was out of line for here. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/59 "2023-04-23T01:53:02Z")
I’ve definitely heard of people HSing, not because they’re afraid the kids will get shot at school, but (among other things) they don’t want school officials finding out about their own unlicensed arsenals. ---
**Author:** ![Mnemnosyne](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mnemnosyne/32/3347_2.png) [@Mnemnosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnemnosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836/60 "2023-04-23T01:54:39Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > From a pure utilitarian standpoint, I bet progressives would save more lives by being seen as legitimately, honestly pro-gun and using that political strength to improve health care. I think this is absolutely true. Furthermore, I think it would be more effective at preventing gun crime, even, than the ineffectual attempts to actually limit guns. The old comment about ‘guns don’t kill people, people kill people’ is actually true. I mean, it is **also** very true that access to guns makes that killing easier, but if the killing is never something a person attempts in the first place, it doesn’t happen (mostly, accidents are still a thing). If we could deal with the many things causing nonsensical levels of stress on modern people, the gun situation may not be resolved, but far less people would be snapping under that stress, and so we’d have a lot less violence. If we resolved the problems keeping people poor and under economic stress, crime would go down significantly, and a lot of the gang violence would decrease. Really, if we fixed **everything else** about society and left guns alone, we would probably successfully reduce the gun problem far more than otherwise. And another observation: if we did fix everything else, if stress on society were reduced…it would probably be easier to **then** alter or repeal the second amendment and actually enact significant gun control. Because the more stressed they are, the more ‘gun people’ want to cling to things that make them comfortable, like their guns, but if that stress went away, if in every other factor their lives were pretty damn good…they would likely feel a lot less inclined to fight. And yeah, a lot of that stress is manufactured, but a hell of a lot more isn’t and is just a result of the many other problems in society. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-we-the-americana-public-finally-reached-the-level-that-mass-shootings-are-just-a-part-of-life-in-america-like-bombings-and-shootings-are-in-the-middle-east/982836.md?page=4)