# Stupid Gun news of the day (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 29, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729 "2013-01-29T19:01:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 272
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5421 "2015-08-06T15:43:17Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Theater shooting? The guy had a _ **pellet gun** _ fer Chrissake! The only shooting was him getting his ass shot dead by police. Good point. Thinking about a parallel discussion going on, in which it is asserted that knives are equally dangerous, your reply is informative. THEATER A: Hatchet and airsoft gun = one superficial injury. THEATER B: Handgun =two dead, nine injured. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5422 "2015-08-06T15:53:55Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I agree. There are a number of modern societies where gun ownership is not prevalent that have not become oppressive. How long has it been? Decades? A century? Give it time, people. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5423 "2015-08-06T16:07:10Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > How long has it been? Decades? A century? > > Give it time, people. I see, they just haven’t been Scotsman long enough. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5424 "2015-08-06T16:21:09Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > That simplified version gleans over many excellent points by Lumpy. Comforting /= excellent. > [@](#): > > If there’s one constant throughout history, it is human nature. > [@Bullitt](#): > > How long has it been? Decades? A century? > > Give it time, people. Do you see any inconsistency between those two posts? You invoke the existence of a constant human nature through human history, but tell us that it will change in favor of your view sometime in the indeterminate future. The rest of us are, sadly, forced to live in the real world. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5425 "2015-08-06T16:52:17Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I see, they just haven’t been Scotsman long enough. I couldn’t help but imagine a bunch of our gunintelligent posters running to look up gun ownership statistics for Scotland upon reading your post. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5426 "2015-08-06T17:01:49Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > How long has it been? Decades? A century? > > Give it time, people. Every society with strong effective gun control laws has developed into a free, low-crime, happy, healthy, prosperous, democratic, green, sustainable society… or will at some point. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5427 "2015-08-06T17:14:52Z")
Meanwhile, there is nothing at all oppressive or caste-y about the good old U.S.ofA. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5428 "2015-08-06T17:18:59Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > If there’s one constant throughout history, it is human nature. True. The more people have guns, the more people find reasons to use them on each other. That’s why towns in the Old West banned guns in town, and we seem to have survived that with a minimum of tyranny. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5429 "2015-08-06T17:37:21Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > True. The more people have guns, the more people find reasons to use them on each other. That’s why towns in the Old West banned guns in town, and we seem to have survived that with a minimum of tyranny. Au contraire, look at how poor besieged patriotic Clive Bundy has been treated. And don’t forget Jade Helm! What about people being forced to gay marry? Don’t you consider that tyranny? What about not being greeted properly in department stores during the Christmas season? What about not being allowed to have a white president for 8 years? Tyranny, I say! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5430 "2015-08-06T17:51:02Z")
It isn’t your imagination, [it really is getting worse.](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/04/report-mass-public-shootings-rise/31071301/) > [@](#): > > Mass public shootings have increased in frequency from 1.1 a year to 4.5 a year since the 1970s, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service. > > The report, sent to members of Congress on Friday, found that in the 1970s, mass public shootings killed roughly six people a year and injured two. From 2010 to 2013, there were an average of 33 deaths in mass shootings each year, with 28 additional people injured. > … > > Mass public shootings have increased in frequency from 1.1 a year to 4.5 a year since the 1970s, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service. > > The report, sent to members of Congress on Friday, found that in the 1970s, mass public shootings killed roughly six people a year and injured two. From 2010 to 2013, there were an average of 33 deaths in mass shootings each year, with 28 additional people injured. But … freedom! ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5431 "2015-08-06T19:11:46Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Yes I am willing to compromise. Should I assume that you don’t agree with the NRA on that? ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5432 "2015-08-06T19:45:44Z")
Meanwhile, in rednekkid Idaho (state motto: “We’re not quite as bad as Texas but we’re trying”) [stupid people are still doing stupid things with guns.](http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/08/05/3925260_idaho-woman-gets-probation-for.html?rh=1) Cliff’s notes version; Idaho woman mails fully-loaded Ruger 357 to Connecticut. Gun discharges while being handled by postal worker\*. No serious injuries. Woman says she’s sorry, didn’t know it was loaded, gets probation and community service. Left unsaid is whether she knew it was illegal to send a Ruger 357 through the mail in the first place. Probably not. Stupid. \*“Handled by a postal worker” may of course include being stomped on, flung against a wall or beaten with a hammer all of which the USPS apparently does with _my_ parcels. But still. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5433 "2015-08-06T19:55:04Z")
> [@SeldomSeen](#): > > Meanwhile, in rednekkid Idaho (state motto: “We’re not quite as bad as Texas but we’re trying”) [stupid people are still doing stupid things with guns.](http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/08/05/3925260_idaho-woman-gets-probation-for.html?rh=1) > > Cliff’s notes version; Idaho woman mails fully-loaded Ruger 357 to Connecticut. Gun discharges while being handled by postal worker\*. No serious injuries. Woman says she’s sorry, didn’t know it was loaded, gets probation and community service. Left unsaid is whether she knew it was illegal to send a Ruger 357 through the mail in the first place. Probably not. Stupid. > \*“Handled by a postal worker” may of course include being stomped on, flung against a wall or beaten with a hammer all of which the USPS apparently does with _my_ parcels. But still. Damn, that’s some heavy duty stupid right there. Someone could easily have been killed or seriously injured. I have to wonder if there weren’t other laws violated. Does Connecticut require background checks (for the recipient)? For that matter does Idaho? I’m not even sure which state’s laws would apply. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5434 "2015-08-06T20:23:21Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Cliff’s Notes version: We need lots of guns to keep Obama from taking them away. Answer the questions, chickenshit. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5435 "2015-08-06T20:24:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Comforting /= excellent. > > Do you see any inconsistency between those two posts? You invoke the existence of a constant human nature through human history, but tell us that it will change in favor of your view sometime in the indeterminate future. > > The rest of us are, sadly, forced to live in the real world. Answer the questions, chickenshit. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5436 "2015-08-06T20:26:59Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > It isn’t your imagination, [it really is getting worse.](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/04/report-mass-public-shootings-rise/31071301/)But … freedom! Answer the questions, chickenshit. Clearly, integrity is an alien concept to you. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5437 "2015-08-06T20:45:45Z")
> [@SeldomSeen](#): > > Meanwhile, in rednekkid Idaho (state motto: “We’re not quite as bad as Texas but we’re trying”) [stupid people are still doing stupid things with guns.](http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/08/05/3925260_idaho-woman-gets-probation-for.html?rh=1) > > Cliff’s notes version; Idaho woman mails fully-loaded Ruger 357 to Connecticut. Gun discharges while being handled by postal worker\*. No serious injuries. Woman says she’s sorry, didn’t know it was loaded, gets probation and community service. Left unsaid is whether she knew it was illegal to send a Ruger 357 through the mail in the first place. Probably not. Stupid. > \*“Handled by a postal worker” may of course include being stomped on, flung against a wall or beaten with a hammer all of which the USPS apparently does with _my_ parcels. But still. From the link. > [@](#): > > While in transit, the package was processed in a distribution center in Springfield, Massachusetts. **A United States Postal Service employee was holding the package when the revolver discharged.** The employee was not seriously hurt, but did receive medical attention for ringing ears and sore hands, according to the release. Modern firearms have firing pin blocks that prevent discharge when the trigger is not pulled. The Blackhawk is a single action. You have to cock the hammer first before pulling the trigger. You can’t get sore hands from a gun firing inside a package. You can if you take it from the package and start playing with it. The woman who mailed it should lose her right to own firearms. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5438 "2015-08-06T21:24:58Z")
I was wondering about that. So the gun had to have been cocked in the package? Wow! The sore hands thing could have gone like this: Doctor: Anything else bothering you? Postal Employee: Well… my hands are a little sore. Note this from the same article: > [@](#): > > Officers searched the package at the center and discovered the Ruger Blackhawk .357 revolver, fully loaded, according to the release. So it doesn’t sound like it had been removed before firing. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5439 "2015-08-06T21:35:32Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I was wondering about that. So the gun had to have been cocked in the package? Wow! > > The sore hands thing could have gone like this: > Doctor: Anything else bothering you? > Postal Employee: Well… my hands are a little sore. > > Note this from the same article: > So it doesn’t sound like it had been removed before firing. In order to search a package, you have to open the package. I have no doubt someone touched the trigger. Maybe someone was trying to uncock it. It’s not going to go off just sitting in a package like that. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729/5440 "2015-08-06T21:42:58Z")
“Officers searched the package”. That sounds like it’s after the fact. It went off while the postal employee was handling it, so the police were called and they searched the package. That’s sure what it sounds like to me. The gun must have been cocked when it was packed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729.md?page=271) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-gun-news-of-the-day-part-1/648729.md?page=273)