This is a tragedy that beggers belief. I get the debate about landmines that briefly occurred last page but THIS - this is about individuals having access to crazy stuff. I don't care that people want to have guns. People want to do lots of things that are deemed inappropriate or illegal.

Your systems clearly do not work and need revising. If you keep access to guns because it is in the constitution then you need to change the access policy. Clearly the crazies are getting access.

Rhetoric about wanting access vs the number of deaths by guns each year? Please someone present a cohearant argument for why this should remain so becuase so far I have not seen anything that stacks up to my argument of why it should not be so. My argument consists of a number of faces - the faces change periodicaly once another crazy proves my point.

Also, on the previous page, at 12:13, Craig Robinson responded to a post by JB that was posted at 12:15!

How did that happen?

This is by far one of the most tragic events to come out of the United States in recent times. Am still numbed by it days later, mostly becaue of where the murders took place.

If there is a time for Americans who want military grade weapons out of their society this is it. Take to the streets, write to your member of Congress and keep up the pressure. Don't let the lawmakers forget the children and their carers who were murdered. Some positive has to come out of this, things ought to have changed with Columbine. Too many dead, now there are 20 dead children. My 2nd youngest is the same age of the kids who were killed and it is just hearbreaking, it hits home.

If the masses truly want change they have to protest and make their voices heard, my concern is the whole thing being forgotten in a matter of weeks. And the status quo remaining. Obama ought to show some courage and make changes, he doesn't have to worry about being re-elected again in 2016. If he made and bought about lasting and meaningful change he would go down as a much loved President by many. Damn the economy, lives are so much more important. Courage is needed by him to help curb the bloodshed.

Love the comments I've been reading here, does give me hope compared to other sites, particually news sites that allow comments. There are good minded people out there and hopefully poeple around the USA can get together and get some lasting change.

From an outside view, it's almost as if the USA is in a perpetual war against itself. Way too many people dying in needless gun related crime.

Thing is, I've travelled to the USA four times. And have been struck that how friendly most of the people I've met there have been. That you guys are very patriotic, that you love your country, that you are very willing to help out and are welcoming hosts. An enormous amount of good, which is stained by this affair with guns. I don't get it. The picture really doesn't add up for me.

My heart is breaking for those families. Just hope for their sake that something positive can come from this.

Also, on the previous page, at 12:13, Craig Robinson responded to a post by JB that was posted at 12:15!

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We weren't going to brag, but both JB and I are Time Lords.  Well, I'm more like a Time Lord in Training.

I just edited my first post to clarify that I was not endorsing the US gov't argument that we're all for a comprehensive landmine ban as long as we get an exemption for Korea.  When I read JB's response, I realized that it seemed like I agreed with our government's stance on the issue, when I do not.

Apparently, an off duty police officer in San Antonio shot a crazed gun-wielding man at a movie theater Sunday night.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/17/san-antonio-movie-t heater-shooting_n_2315139.html

The off duty officer shot the assailant before he shot anyone (looks like he missed and his gun jammed).  So instead of a deeper reflection on the flaws with our gun laws, I'm just cringing in preparation of the "see, we told you so"s from the gun lobby.

it's not the Wild West, is it

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Sadly, even Wild West wasn't the Wild West.  Gun control laws in the American West are one of the best examples of effective gun control in our history.

But you can't convince that to people who think Clint Eastwood movies are documentaries.  They prefer the "truthiness" of the false American narrative.