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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFL School Shooting: Suspect Was Ex-Student Identified As Potential Threat Before Shooting (UPDATED)
By Red Painter at Crooks and Liars
https://crooksandliars.com/2018/02/florida-school-shooting-suspect-was-ex
"SNIP........
The Miami Herald is reporting that Nikolas Cruz, age 19, is a former student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland had been identified as a "potential threat to fellow students in the past."
In fact, Math teacher Jim Gard, said We were told last year that he wasnt allowed on campus with a backpack on him. There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus.
But, the Broward County School District Superintendent, Robert Runcie, told reporters that he did not know of any concerns raised about the student. He said We received no warnings. Potentially there could have been signs out there. But we didn't have any warning or phone calls or threats that were made.
So which one is it? The school clearly knew something was up but the administration for the district was unaware? How is this possible?
.......SNIP"
chuckstevens
(1,201 posts)gopiscrap
(23,761 posts)LonePirate
(13,424 posts)BigmanPigman
(51,593 posts)or districts for expelling them instead of the guns and the access and affordability I will throw a fit. Sure, give all kids an A+ and tell their parents that their kids are great students, well liked and set a fine example for others. Then send them home where there is an arsenal at their fingertips. As a former teacher who had "routine" active shooter drills with her first graders I can tell you it is the GUNS! If someone wants to harm others they will find a way but the NRA, Putin and the Religious Right who pay big $$$$ to elected officials make it easy for them to have access to these types of weapons.
Here's a basic equation...
guns+testosterone+$$$$$= death
Sancho
(9,070 posts)This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
For those who want to argue legality, please reference: The Second Amendment: A Biography by Michael Waldman
HopeAgain
(4,407 posts)Nobody needs to own an AR15. Ever.