8 year old shoots 7 year old.

[Major Robert Dump]

LOL it wasnt sweden, it was a swedish article on something that happened in the states. Look at the picture

[Just A Girl]

Yah But they are handy for killing / wounding people huh

So am I but you can't ban me.

I doubt a 7 year old would take you to school and shoot their freind with you.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Guns don't kill people; 8 year-olds kill people.

May I quote that for my signature?

[Lentonius]

ooh, in the U.S

well that explains everythinglol

[AggonyDuck]

What I find interesting is that the father apparently kept the gun loaded, because I don't believe that an 8-year old would go and load it on his own...

[Ianofsmeg16]

and 8 year old shoots a seven year old?

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world...

[Goofball]

May I quote that for my signature?

I would be humbled and honoured if you did.

[Vladimir]

ooh, in the U.S

well that explains everythinglol

Or Switzerland:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060125/...NlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[Watchman]

...
...so where's the punchline ?

[ajaxfetish]

Guns are bad M-kay.

Exactly. How are you supposed to win the war if your troops can't even fire in the rain? This is why I'm more excited about revisiting Medieval instead of moving on to something like Napoleon. I'll be waiting for stories about school macings, and kids stealing their parents' swords and hacking at each other.

Guns are a tool. They can be used safely or dangerously. Banning guns will not stop violent crimes from happening (especially as the criminals are the most likely to break a law about not having a gun). After all, the father was already breaking a law in having the gun as a convicted felon. If guns were banned generally he may well still have had it.

Ajax

[Lazul]

"Guns are a tool"

Sure but unlike an axe for example, its only designed to Kill.

Its not like go grab your chaingun and head out into the forest to take down a few trees. Then you go home and put handgranades in the tree to make firewood.

[Ja'chyra]

"Guns are a tool"

Sure but unlike an axe for example, its only designed to Kill.

Its not like go grab your chaingun and head out into the forest to take down a few trees. Then you go home and put handgranades in the tree to make firewood.

Of course they're designed to kill, doesn't mean that that's how they will be used, where do you draw the line? Bows? Hunting knives? Kitchen knives? Knitting needles?

I have no problem with people owning weapons so long as they are responsible enough to make sure they are safe.

Anyway, as a wise man once said "Guns don't kill people, wappers do"

[Lazul]

Well, kitchen knifes are not designed to kill but to be used in the kitchen. So thats no issue.

Bows?... well, can be used as hunting weapon, but I think atleast in Sweden that is forbidden since it will make the animal suffer more.

Knitting needles?... well, if your a Knitter....

Thing is, a 9mm pistol has no usefull purpose except killing people, its what its designed to do.

Concerning hunting tho, In sweden your allowed to have a hunting rifle if you have a license. Well I think thats ok, but thats about the only area people need rifles or guns! To hunt!

[Adrian II]

Excellent! Then we can execute the little bugger!

Don't forget the parents and siblings have a responsibility too. Execute the whole family, I say. And the neighbours for good measure.

[Kralizec]

Thing is, a 9mm pistol has no usefull purpose except killing people, its what its designed to do.

Concerning hunting tho, In sweden your allowed to have a hunting rifle if you have a license. Well I think thats ok, but thats about the only area people need rifles or guns! To hunt!

Technicly, the purpose of a 9mm is not to kill but to incapacitate. Death is often only a logical consequence. Policemen are trained to fire at non lethal areas if convenient.

I just don't understand why the hell people would want to have a 0.50 magnum for self defense. "oh look, that drunk guy came at me so I defended myself by blowing his intestines out through his backside"

[doc_bean]

Don't forget the parents and siblings have a responsibility too. Execute the whole family, I say. And the neighbours for good measure.

In certain african areas anyone who was within a certain radius of the murder site at the time of the murder gets detained until the trial. Maybe the US should take note ?

[Vladimir]

Bows?... well, can be used as hunting weapon, but I think atleast in Sweden that is forbidden since it will make the animal suffer more.

What the hell happened to you people?! You bring us the Vikings and now this? Talk about turning over a new leaf. (just kidding but OMFG the irony) I suppose Sweden supports assisted suicide for animals that are near death?

Nice spin ajaxfetish.

[Redleg]

Those who often argue for gun control or against often resort to using emotional appeal and strawman arguements to make their point.

The 8 year old unfortunately got access to a weapon that was not properly cared for by his parents, the parents did not teach the child that the gun was not a toy, but a weapon, and finally it seems that the father was in violation of the current law for owning a weapon.

The situation here is not an arguement for stronger gun control in the United States, but for proper enforcement of the current gun laws of the nation and the state.

Making new laws that are stronger will not change anything if the current law is not enforced.

[Vladimir]

If a law is not enforced it's not truly illegal.

[Lazul]

What the hell happened to you people?! You bring us the Vikings and now this? Talk about turning over a new leaf. (just kidding but OMFG the irony) I suppose Sweden supports assisted suicide for animals that are near death?

We are still brutal jerks and rape others women from time to time... I promise. Personally I dont care much for how animals are hunted.

assisted suicide for animals? what do you mean? Someone who doesnt help a dying animal to die quick is just stupid. If they are in a great deal of pain they should be killed.

[English assassin]

Making new laws that are stronger will not change anything if the current law is not enforced....

OK, well that's true.

So what should be done that isn't being done now, since 8 year olds shooting 7 years olds is obviously unacceptable? How do you stop an irresponsible felon getting hold of a gun in a country where there are more guns than people and no idea where on earth they are (since registration would obviously be contrary to human rights, or the bible, or something, I forget what).

Edit: actually, forget it. So long as they don't have ICBMs I don't care.

[Vladimir]

assisted suicide for animals? what do you mean? Someone who doesnt help a dying animal to die quick is just stupid. If they are in a great deal of pain they should be killed.

Hopefully you took my post as humor and not an attack. I agree with the above. Anyone that believes hunting a deer with an arrow is cruel has no idea how cruel nature can be. Our laws are an attempt to impose some order on *our* nature but again, they need to be enforced as swiftly and severely as society allows. Anyone who gives a gun to a felon knowing he can't legally own one should get the same sentence as the other.

[Reenk Roink]

More proof that society is going downhill...

Why didn't he use a sword?

[Goofball]

Those who often argue for gun control or against often resort to using emotional appeal and strawman arguements to make their point.

And some of those who disagree with gun control call every argument in its favor an "emotional appeal" or a "strawman."

Matter of fact, they do the same thing when discussing abortion. Or religion. Or the war in Iraq. Or gay marriage. Or...

Well. You get the point.

I'm not mentioning any names though...

[Redleg]

And some of those who disagree with gun control call every argument in its favor an "emotional appeal" or a "strawman."

LOL - the hateful comments toward those in favor of arming the populace are just what I called them, same as the hateful comments toward those that are in favor of gun control. Which was what the comment was directed at. Provide a logical arguement for gun control and I will discuss the information provided - discuss it in the way this thread is going, well you get what you get.

A prime examble is the discussion we once hade about weapons. Your arguement initially was against all weapons - however when we discussed it - you actually modified your opinion on it. Emotional appeal does not change people's opinions on this type of subject. Logical and facts is what normally helps people reach a informed decision.

Matter of fact, they do the same thing when discussing abortion. Or religion. Or the war in Iraq. Or gay marriage. Or...

Well you do have a tendency to resort to strawman and emotional appeal when you discuss abortion, religion, and gay marriage. So I guess indeed the shoe fits you very well doesn't.

Well. You get the point.

That most of your arguements are just that.

On a serious note - I was directing the comment at both sides of the discussion. The situation occured because of irresponsible parents and the failure to enforce the current gun laws. Notice that the dig is on both sides for allowing yourselfs not to see that the issue contains the problems that both sides desire. Gun Control and responsiblity. If the current laws were enforced to the standard that they were written - then maybe such circumstances would not happen. If such things continue to happen then stronger laws would need to be looked at. However inadequate enforcement of the current laws does not equate to needed to make new law. Enforce what is there already to see if it will actually do what it (the Law) was designed to do.

Ask the following questons which I did not see in the article.
Where did the father purchase or get the weapon?
Why was it not in a place where the child could not get it?
Why was it loaded?

There are a ton of other questions that need to be asked and answered. The authorities are doing the right thing in arresting the parents for their lack of responsiblity. The authories are doing the right thing in charging the child - to allow the state to handle his well being since the parents obviousily failed in this instance.

I'm not mentioning any names though...

Neither did I, but it seems to have struck a chord with you nethertheless.

[Ironside]

Hopefully you took my post as humor and not an attack. I agree with the above. Anyone that believes hunting a deer with an arrow is cruel has no idea how cruel nature can be. Our laws are an attempt to impose some order on *our* nature but again, they need to be enforced as swiftly and severely as society allows.

IIRC hunting with bows is forbidden because the arrows is designed to bleed the target to death. That particular hunting technique isn't that common in nature. Problems of getting away a second shot if the first one miss is also supposed to be an issue.

But I haven't studied the issue carefully. I don't hunt, I don't care.

[rory_20_uk]

A 9mm to incapacitate??? If the other guy's got a gun, then suddenly you need to kill. Giving everyone the right to have one doesn't help that, does it?

If people must have their guns due to whatever rights were present 200 years ago, doesn't it make sense that there might be some stringent controls on getting hold of one? Background checks, a permanent register, fines if guns not reported stolen - y'know the whole "responsible owner" bit with teeth to penalise those that aren't.

I would have to say that I am mentioning chemically or gas powered creations that fire projectiles. Bit long winded, but I'd hate for someone to think that I am talking about knitting needles...

[Redleg]

A 9mm to incapacitate??? If the other guy's got a gun, then suddenly you need to kill. Giving everyone the right to have one doesn't help that, does it?

True - but in a free society everyone should have the right, just like the other rights that most democratic governments guarntee their citizens.

If people must have their guns due to whatever rights were present 200 years ago, doesn't it make sense that there might be some stringent controls on getting hold of one? Background checks, a permanent register, fines if guns not reported stolen - y'know the whole "responsible owner" bit with teeth to penalise those that aren't.

You have hit the crux of the issue in my opinion. The current laws are not enforced in a uniform and consistent manner

[Rodion Romanovich]

I would be humbled and honoured if you did.

Expect to see it when my signature returns in a week or so from now

[Vladimir]

Remember that there are two ways to eliminate crime: Get rid of all laws or kill off all the people.