We can't afford to miss this opportunity!

[rainlillie]

We are ranked number 7 in the world, when it comes to deaths by guns. We are ranked higher than counties such as Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

# 1 Thailand: 79.5805

# 2 South Africa: 59.2028

# 3 Colombia: 45.2092

# 4 Slovakia: 45

# 5 Guatemala: 42.0706

# 6 Zimbabwe: 39.6026

# 7 United States: 39.5604


See complete list here: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_gun_vio_hom_hom_wit_fir-crime-gun-violence-homicides-firearms


Every time a tragedy like the one in AZ happens, folks want to talk about the need for gun control. That's a important conversation, but it doesn't do a damn bit of good to talk about it without demanding and seeking change. I do believe if someone is a criminal or mentally unstable, they will find away around laws to get their hands on guns.


Folks who have visited my blog, know the story about my brother in-law who tried to kill my sister, and in the end he took his own life. He was a veteran, and was seeing a therapist because he was suffering from PTSD along with depression. He should not have been allowed to walk into a sporting goods store and purchase a handgun. The gun was purchased one week before the shooting.


As I've stated earlier if someone is determined to get a gun, they'll get one. We have a duty to protect the public and have to enact laws that would make it as difficult as possible for someone who is unstable or a criminal to purchase a firearm. The question is: how do we go about doing that without violating someones right to privacy? Should therapist be required to contact law enforcement officials if one of their patients is showing signs that he/she have violent tendencies and is seeking to purchase a gun?


Should shop owners have a list of folks who are mentally ill and possibly violent? I don't know how we can go about doing this. I do know that we should hang our heads in shame for being ranked number 7 in the world when it comes to homicides by guns. How can a country that claims to be "peace loving" and have the moral high ground be higher than counties that are war zones?


I was commenting on my friend Doug B's blog yesterday and I talked about how nudity is more acceptable in Europe and violence is more acceptable in America.

Remember how outraged parents were because Janet's Jackson's nipple was exposed? Yet those same parents don't mind letting their child watch a movie with someones head being blown off, or letting them play excessively violent video games. Look where the European countries are ranked on the list above and look where we are.


I also think we need to address a subject that most folks don't like to talk about openly...mental illness. There is a stigma in our society when it comes to mental illness. Most family members are embarrassed to address the issue or even seek help for a loved one. Even during the whole health care debate no one talked about mental health care. Families and individuals need to know that they are not alone and that there are services available. They also need to look for warning signs and get authorities involved if they feel that their loved one may hurt him/herself or someone else.


My elderly aunts 50-year-old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties. He's been arrested for petty crimes such as vandalism and disorderly conduct. For the last 20 years she's been fighting the system , trying to find away to get him committed. She's been told that he can't be committed against his will, as long as he takes his meds and doesn't hurt anyone. The problems occur when he goes off his meds.


How can the law ensure that folks such as my cousin will take their much needed meds every day? The answer is they can't. As of now he's being held for vandalism and will be released soon, and more than likely will be living back on the street. The system needs to be revamped and we need some dramatic changes to take place, to not only protect the individual rights , but also protect innocent people in our society. The shooting in AZ is an opportunity for us to make some serious changes, I hope and pray that we won't miss that opportunity.

[William769]

1. and the population of these Countries?

[Statistical]

2. Rates are the only metric that is useful.

Homicides are ~5.0 per 100,000 residents in the US, and are at a 40 year low. That is all homicides not just firearms.

[Marengo]

3. "Lists" held by shopkeepers

Would only increase the stigma and reinforce a second-class status of those struggling with mental illness.

[rainlillie]

4. True, which is why the statement was asked in the form of a question , not as a solution

[slackmaster]

5. Gun dealers have access to a national database of people known to be prohibited from owning firearms

They have to check the background of anyone who buys a new firearm.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics

[JBoy]

6. The list is % of homicides that are by firearms.

So it's independent of population.

The "Murders by firearms per capita data is less dramatic:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir_percap-crime-murders-firearms-per-capita

# 1 South Africa: 0.719782 per 1,000 people
# 2 Colombia: 0.509801 per 1,000 people
# 3 Thailand: 0.312093 per 1,000 people
# 4 Zimbabwe: 0.0491736 per 1,000 people
# 5 Mexico: 0.0337938 per 1,000 people
# 6 Belarus: 0.0321359 per 1,000 people
# 7 Costa Rica: 0.0313745 per 1,000 people
# 8 United States: 0.0279271 per 1,000 people
# 9 Uruguay: 0.0245902 per 1,000 people
# 10 Lithuania: 0.0230748 per 1,000 people

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. More deaths than Ivory Coast and Mexico. HOLY SHIT!@@@