Open fire

The last few months have passed quietly. No shots have rung out in open places. American civilians
have not been targeted for random acts of gun violence.

Today saw the quiet come to an end. The gunman killed (at first reports) only one person, yet he fired 9 shots. Whether those bullets hit anyone else, is unclear.

With the US nation coming up on the elections, and symbols of hope hanging everywhere, it is so sad that someone has used violence to send out a message of pain.

Not a lot of information was available at the time of writing this. You can read the article here

not counted...but should it be?

I have not counted the latest USA shooting because it was committed 'in family'. It was not an random killing spree. Yet the father of three left his mother-in-law, wife, and three sons dead then took his own life. In notes left for the police, he claims full responsibility for the killing. Media suggest the fact the man was unemployed for several months contributed to his actions.

Read the full story here.

Yet should this be added to our list of shootings? While not done randomly, it appears it was done out of desperation. And in total 6 people were left dead...

Open fire in Finland

Finland has had its second mass shooting in a year. Last year Pekka-Eric Auvinen opened fire in a school. This year it was Matti Juhani Saari's turn. He opened fire at his school, killing 10 people then set fires around the building and shot himself in the head. He died later of the injury.

Finland has the third highest gun ownership rate, coming after the United States and Yemen. Finland allows Police discretion when issuing gun licences. Which means that a simple traffic violation could potentially impede your ability to legally own a gun. However police discretion seems to mostly mean they dictate what sort of firearm you can purchase. For instance, there are certain guns that are appropriate for first time gun owners, and others that are available to those with more experience.

Saari purchased his first gun only a month ago. Apparently a beginner's gun does not come with a remote "off" switch.

Shooting

Perhaps i should have been posting more. There has been lots of developments in relation to gun control. (and at some point i'll update everyone...but i'd do that when i'm not on holidays) There has been little on the front of actual shootings.

Today, we had a shooting in Tennessee.

Gun laws are for celebrities too

50 Cent currently has a restraining order held against him by his ex-girlfriend. This means that he has been ordered (by the court) to surrender all hand guns he owns.

His response from his legal team is that he does not own guns or have access to them.

It sounded like he was a bit offended by the apparent suggestion that he might go out and shoot his ex. But the courts are only holding up the newest federal law about gun control--No person with a restraining order against them is meant to retain access to personally owned guns.

At least 50 can take some comfort in the thought that if he ever has to file a restraining order against a crazed fan, they won't be allowed their guns either.

Not just america

As American continues to enjoy its long bout of relative serenity (at least on the mass killings front), Japan has been shaken by its own mass killing.

A 25 year old man, Tomohiro Kato, ran his car into pedestrians, then jumped out and slashed at them with his knife. 7 were killed while 10 still remain in hospital.

Acknowledging that this is a serious situation, i would like to look at it from a different angle. I would like to look at how the media and culture handle these situations. The reason for this attack is not known but many are suggesting it has to do with the way the youth of Japan are feeling isolated and do not know how to communicate with eachother.

The media reports which happened around the Virginia Tech massacre, say a similar thing. The shooter was unable to take responsibility for his own actions, instead seeing everyone else responsible. He was not able to communicate with his peers and remained isolated because of it.

While the motivations of a killer seem to be universal, the reaction to it, is not. America's individual culture leave the shooter the sole person responsible for the killing. In the Japanese media, society shares a part of the blame. (read the articles to examine the similarities and differences)

I do not know if one of these ways is better than the other. I suspect they are merely reflective of the way the society in these parts of the world work.But perhaps they could both learn a little from the other.

To protect the people, bring more guns

I learned in kindergarten that the best way to end violence was not to perpetuate it. If a kid hits you, unless you want it to continue, don't escalate the problem by hitting his head with the lego box. This simple rule has carried over into my adult life. Violence does not solve violence. Just because you carry a bigger block, doesn't mean that no one is going to hit you.

I suppose that is why it amazes me when the USA pass legislation that allows more people to legally carry guns in public places. Currently, Georgia is working on legislation to allow concealed weapons to be brought into restaurants. But don't worry, only those who don't have a criminal history will be allowed to do this.

Apparently, people don't go on shooting sprees unless they have a criminal history.

Needless to say, i am appalled.