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Sociopath mass shootings demonstrate need for more, not fewer, guns in hands of citizens and enhanced, armed security at concerts, games. Eliminate soft targets rather than “red flag” citizens

Posted by bubah1mau 1 year ago to Philosophy
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If four or five citizens had holstered/pocketed, loaded semi-auto or revolver hand guns at both the Maine bar and bowling alley, and shooter Card suspected it, he would never have struck. Sociopathic shooters are crazed but clever enough to strike “soft” targets—as they still want to minimize risk to themselves while engaged in acts of self-effacement.

If there were four or five plainclothes security officers with marksmanship certifications armed with semi-auto rifles of their own choice in attendance at the 2017 Las Vegas Aldean performance, Paddock would probably have reconsidered his mass shooting—or at least seen it curtailed before so many people had been shot.

Now we are into the issue of "subjective justice." Attempting to preempt shooters by diagnosis is impossible as mental state is self-governed—and anyone is capable of choosing “insanity.” People with a history of mental illness aren’t necessarily sociopaths and can actually regain reasoning mental health. Maintaining reason and sanity is always volitional—subject to choice—and not automatic or “guaranteed.” Therefore, attempts at “red flagging” individuals to deprive them of weapons—aside from non-citizens—will always be highly problematic.

In my opinion, the 2nd Amendment (along with all other Bill of Rights/Constitutional clauses) should apply only to US citizens, and none should apply to non-citizens. Therefore, “red flagging” non-citizens for weapons possession may be appropriate. Citizens should be immune from “red flagging” regardless of alleged mental state. Only through actual perpetration of crime can criminality be judged and punished. And “mental state” should never be a factor in assessing criminality, only the material facts or evidence of a crime. How can mental state ever be regarded as material or even knowable by any person other than the accused?
SOURCE URL: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/las-vegas-shooting/las-vegas-shooting-deadliest-modern-u-s-history-n806486


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  • Posted by 1 year ago
    In reviewing my comments (above) I would add, necessarily to the sentence, "...and none should necessarily apply to non-citizens." If a foreigner with citizenship of a nation with similar constitutional clauses/protections agrees to respect universality and/or extraterritoriality of US citizens in a similar fashion to its own citizens, then Constitutional protections could reasonably apply specifically to citizens of that nation when present on US soil. How can the US government afford Constitutional protections to citizens of nations that don't afford those same protections to US citizens when on soil of that foreign nation?
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    • Posted by freedomforall 1 year ago
      Other countries have disarmed their people and none, iirc, give Americans 2nd amendment rights even when Americans are legal permanent residents there.
      The people of our closest allies most often consider Americans as crazy to even consider having firearms.
      They have been brainwashed to irrationally have faith in government agents to protect them even when reality proves otherwise.
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  • Posted by term2 1 year ago
    In crowded situations, guns going off can also hit innocent bystanders. I am getting the feeling I should NOT go out unless I really HAVE to. Having to be on guard all the time takes away a lot of the enjoyment of going out
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    • Posted by katrinam41 1 year ago
      One of the first rules of self defense taught to me as a 7 year old was NEVER pull the trigger without situational awareness. My grandfather was talking about rabbits and neighbors, but the same applies to ANY situation where a hurried shot may hit something or someone other than the target. Term2 you are so right about these times taking the joy out of a trip to the store or anywhere else.
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      • Posted by skidance 1 year ago
        I've had some firearms training and will get more. I'm quite aware of the need for situational awareness. What's behind or near your bad-guy target? What about shattered glass from a wayward bullet, or a possible ricochet that could harm an innocent bystander? Yes, I agree that more trained and responsible citizens should carry.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 1 year ago
    I agree. 👍
    Based on my observations, psychologists are irrational quacks.
    They are more likely to cause harm than good by imposing or projecting their own insanities on innocent people.
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  • Posted by katrinam41 1 year ago
    I agree, mhubb. Surely someone was armed in a state with minimal gun control laws on the books. One resident being interviewed said there should be more armed citizens and not less. There should also be fewer soft targets available to ravage.
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  • Posted by 73SHARK 1 year ago
    Historical statistics have shown that when countries such as the Soviet Union and China have outlawed and confiscated citizens' guns, millions of citizens are terminated with extreme prejudice.
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