At least eight people have been shot in an Orlando, Florida

Overheal wrote: »

Thats not the point im trying to argue. Of course the US has its own mounting problems. But there you go again putting it back on the US dismissing any self-responsibility of Europe.

While we're on the subject im reminded of this Thriller of a thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055327321

It never makes it to Post 3 before someone is pointing the Burden of Responsibility squarely on American Culture. About 200 posts later though we do get the full police report and 911 call audio which clearly indicated the Irishman in this scenario was indeed at fault here and clearly out of his senses. Though admittedly that thread went on a lot more intelligently than most, and we actually discussed the individuals in the case, not just guns this and Columbine that.

I wasn't responding to anything you said. I was just saying in general. This is also my first post in this thread so it's not here i go again with anything. The fact is this happened in the US. Which is why i said it's a problem in the US. I never said it wasn't a problem elsewhere.

Manic Moran wrote: »

This is a valid statement which I do not argue. What I, and I presume Overheal, objects to is the apparent continued disbelief that this is a problem which is applicable to countries other than the US as well.

But when people say it's a problem in the US in this thread it is relative to the event. Which occured in the US. Just because they never mentioned that it's also a problem elsewhere doesn't mean they aren't aware.

Manic Moran wrote: »

So what was his conclusion?

Ah his thesis was a psychological one. I was just stating that a lot of unknown ones in the US were fresh in my mind because i spent a good few hours looking them up after it. It also wasn't just focused on the US. It was worldwide. I think the biggest spree shooting he cited was in Japan or something. Some Asian country anyways.

Manic Moran wrote: »

This is true, but you also have such incidents in Europe which also don't make the mass media, for the same reasons. (Lack of a large kill tally, mainly) The shooting at Athens school this year is a case in point. Certainly doesn't seem to have garnered any attention on Boards. The only reason I heard about it is that I'm half Greek with relatives in Athens.

I imagine a lot don't make the media due to the language barrier as well. News stories are more accessible when they don't need to be translated. I actually heard of the Athens school shooting. I seen it on the BBC drop down menu thing on firefox and i was on the other side of the world. I tend to watch Spanish news a lot and they seem to cover more things than Irish or British media do in regards to events around Europe. So i agree that a lot doesn't seem to make it here.

Manic Moran wrote: »

Most likely. But I'm not as convinced that there aren't as many spree killings. USians tend to use firearms because they're handy. Europeans tend to be more creative. I can't recall any flamethrower spree killings in the US offhand.

NTM

Well yeah i'd agree that it's the ease of access to guns that makes them a popular choice for murder in the US. I've lived there for over 4 years and it's hard not to be around them at times. I think you are referring to the Austrian fella killing his parents or something with a flamethrower. That's not really a spree killing. Other than a gun there isn't much other weapons that i reckon a lot of people would feel comfortable performing an act of multiple killings with.

Other than a gun there isn't much other weapons that i reckon a lot of people would feel comfortable performing an act of multiple killings with.

Because when you've gone insane and have started killing everyone, a comfortable weapon is the first thing on your mind.

Like I said earlier, I've known people who have been killed by Claw Hammers. For some killers it doesnt always have to be pretty, as long as it gets the job done. Though im sure I wouldnt say no to a fireaxe or a chainsaw either. I could also think of a few ways to put a car battery to good use.

Overheal wrote: »

Because when you've gone insane and have started killing everyone, a comfortable weapon is the first thing on your mind.

Like I said earlier, I've known people who have been killed by Claw Hammers. For some killers it doesnt always have to be pretty, as long as it gets the job done. Though im sure I wouldnt say no to a fireaxe or a chainsaw either. I could also think of a few ways to put a car battery to good use.

The thing is most people who perform these acts have premeditated everything and have carried out dry runs. This is scientifically proven by US psychiatrists and indeed worldwide specialists. Weapon selection is just as important to them as the act. I could go into reporting on results found such as attacks with knives, hammers, etc which are more personal attacks and usually occur with the death of just one intended target. But it would take a lot more than a reply here to outlay the findings behind such studies. Also remember i am talking about spree killers. Not a random murderer. Shít i've been trained to kill with my hands. But for me to randomly kill people for whatever motive i think i'd lean more towards a gun for speed and effectiveness.

Overheal wrote: »

Sure. but youre in Ireland. Youll have to think of something else. Armored tractor being my first preference

I grew up in the North. I've seen guns on a daily basis in my childhood. I've also lived in the US, Guatemala and Colombia. Not to mention i was born in El Salvador. So it's not like i wouldn't have a gun mentality. And guns are easy to get here if you know where to get them.