r2i forum

At least 32 lives laid waste in the Virgina Tech shooting today '32 killed' in deadliest US school shooting


Very strict gun control is a must! Let proponents of 'Guns for self-defense' push/lobby for and adopt non-lethal arsenel.

I'm willing to bet that hand guns and other automatic guns will be taken out of civilian hands in the near early future. It is bound to happen, it's best if the law-makers/NRA and the gun loving minority accept that and take necessary actions right now instead of wasting more lives.

Unfortunately, most right wing conservatives oppose gun ban and they form a sizable majority.

While liberals support gun ban, their taxation policies go to the extremes.

US desperately needs a third party that is liberal and at the same time fiscally conservative ( a la Clinton (Bill, not Hillary).

No it is not going to happen. NRA is too powerful. Govt will impose more safety measures on seat belt, car seat, medicines import, food etc. but dare not touch the gun lobby. Some crocodile tears will be shed and nation will move on till next shooting rampage. Watch out for NRA damage control statements. Already Bush has come in support:

"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," spokeswoman Dana Perino said .

Are you sure gun control is the solution to the issue? AK47 can be purchased easily in black market through out the world. Won't there be an illegal market for guns just like drugs? How much has banning drugs helped kids from using drugs?

Clarification: I am not in favor or against gun control. I am just brainstorming here because in most cases I read, a guy takes some illegal drug and legal/illegal gun and goes to the shooting. So, it seems law has no effect whatsoever.

Virginia Tech is a popular destination for desi grad students and most of the killings took place in the Engineering building.
I hope no desis were hurt. It's a sad day for all nevertheless.

Desi_by_Nature;20038Virginia Tech is a popular destination for desi grad students and most of the killings took place in the Engineering building.
I hope no desis were hurt. It's a sad day for all nevertheless.

Let's hope it is not a desi killer, they say the suspect is Asian American.

Folks - When 30 students have died its unfortunate that we are looking that no desi students should have died as if other folks are ok to die. Sorry no offence meant for anyone but I hope the thread goes into meaningful direction of how to avoid such incidents in future rather than questioning whether the victims are Desi or a Suspect is an Asian American.

#7:

I dont think there is anything egregious in stating what #5 did "I hope no desis were hurt. It's a sad day for all nevertheless".

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Regarding gun law, I have an open mind, and here are some thoughts:

Gun ban seems different from gun control. I see references to both in this thread.

Guns are of different types - what types of guns do gun control advocates want controlled?

What are the stats on crime in countries with and without gun control?

It is human tendency to think ban / control / eliminate whenever a tragedy/calamity strikes, even though it may not be rational. Big visible costs assume more salience than they should over less visible costs that add up over time. For example, when Tsunami struck India, there was clamor for investment in advance warning mechanism and MM Singh rightly asked "What is the probability of such an event and does it warrant a huge investment?"

I have full sympathy with any one directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy and personally I would like fire arms to more controlled and restricted.

LoveIndia;20043Folks - When 30 students have died its unfortunate that we are looking that no desi students should have died as if other folks are ok to die. Sorry no offence meant for anyone but I hope the thread goes into meaningful direction of how to avoid such incidents in future rather than questioning whether the victims are Desi or a Suspect is an Asian American.

Same time I see nothing wrong in hoping crime is not made by "Desi" to negative impact on affect whole community.

Similarly it is human nature to show concern for the community because we are not in our native place, ask a desi student who have studied here or in a college hostel far away from home first think comes to mind koi Desi na fasa ho shooting me. It is a fear of what if things go wrong when we are far away in an unkown place among strangers.

Let us pray GOD give strength to families of affected.
-Swadesh

Why do civilians in a society (such as the present day US) need guns?

a) Sports? b) protection? c) exercise one constitutional rights?

Allowing an "average Joe" to own a AK-47 does not really serve (a) and (b); It satisfies point (c) - the constitutional right to bear arm, but the article in the constitution is archiac.