Out of the Blue - Blue's News Comments

Out of the Blue
[Apr 21, 2003, 08:42 am ET] – Share – Viewing Comments

Here's an unpleasant anniversary I ran across while doing a bit of poking around in the archive: Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of the school shootings in Columbine High School, which took place on April 20, 1999. :(

Stories of the Day:	Who needs proof? Thanks Mike Martinez. Why TiVo Owners Can't Shut Up (NY Times free registration required).
Wild Science:	Ancient village found under Illinois soil. Thanks Mike Martinez.
Media of the Day:	DJ Format. Thanks Mike.
Auction of the Day:	John Carmack's Ferrari Testarossa. Thanks Jeff Wilson.
Follow-up:	Tattoo of Trogdor. Thanks Gojo. A tribute to TROGDOR!!!

View : : :

Post Comment

Search Log In

Search Log In Post Comment

56.

Re: Bowl O Drama
Apr 22, 2003, 23:39

Wowbagger_TIP

56.

Re: Bowl O Drama Apr 22, 2003, 23:39

Apr 22, 2003, 23:39

Wowbagger_TIP

and what I was asking for when I asked for evidence was something to back the claim "there is no evidence to support the idea that having a gun makes it more likely for a gun to be used against you." Just because the vast majority of gun use is by people defending themselves does not render the claim that "gun ownership makes it more likely the gun will be used against you" false.

Well, I meant exactly that, but perhaps I should have said "no credible evidence" instead. There have been studies, such as the Kellerman study, that attempted to prove that you are more likely to be harmed if you posess a gun, but they have been shown to have used a very flawed methodology and were therefore quite misleading.

All I can say is that I'm glad I don't live in the US, as I've never heard of anything even close to being as bad as some of the claims made in that article (which seems well backed up with sources) happening in Canada.

Well, it's not exactly the kind of thing that police departments and governments like to brag about, ya know? There have been other similar cases here as well. Someone actually looked up the relevant law in another discussion I had and showed that the police are not legally obligated to put themselves at risk to defend civilians. Some may do so, but I wouldn't want to bet my life or my family's lives on it. Would you?

If I went to a high school I wouldn't be afraid because a student might have a gun and go postal.

Neither would I. School shootings are exceedingly rare. They just get a massive amount of media attention when they happen.

Perhaps that's naive, but I have never seen anything happen in my society to make me believe that my safety was ever in jeopardy. So I don't see why owning a gun is necessary, or even desirable, to provide for my safety.

Hopefully you'll never be a victim. But then it only takes one time. I hope I never have to defend myself against an attacker. But if it ever does happen, I'd rather be as prepared as possible. I only get one life.

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." -- Bertrand Russell (I think...)