Once again music gets the blame

[Ted Jackson]

On 8 Jan 2003 at 9:41, Paul Mather wrote:

> One interesting point raised in the film is that although many other
> countries around the world have much the same circumstances as the USA
> (e.g., availability of guns; bloody historical past; watch violent
> films; play violent video games), for some reason those other
> countries are not killing themselves at the same rate as the USA: tens
> or hundreds of deaths per year vs. many thousands.  In particular, the
> film highlights Canada, which has about the same ethnic mix and guns
> per capita as the USA, yet has only a fraction of the gun deaths (plus
> they don't lock their doors;).
>
> So, the root cause must lie somewhere other than guns or violent
> films, music, and video games: perhaps it is something innately
> cultural, but what?  I don't know, but, like I said, it's thought
> provoking.  Don't buy the fear hype.  Remember, as Sir Paul McCartney
> reminds us, "it's getting better all the time." :-)
>
I think one key factor in the US is the easy availability of gun dealership licenses.
Virtually anyone can become a 'gun dealer' here, even if they aren't in business or
have no intention of ever doing retail business.  An average bloke can buy a
hundred assault weapons if he wants.  Of course you don't have to be a 'dealer' to
own hundreds of guns here, but if you're a dealer, you can get more 'exotic'
weapons...

the analogy to Canada is an interesting one.  I'd like to know what the per capita
ownership is in Canada, and how many multiple weapon owners are there, also how
many are licensed gun dealers...


> Perform a reality check.  The next time someone tells you "it's not
> safe to walk the streets," or "illegal immigrants are flooding the
> country," or similar doom and gloom, ask yourself when was the last
> time you or someone you know was a victim of crime on the street, or,
> if the country is "flooded" with them, why haven't you or anyone you
> know actually met an illegal immigrant personally. :-)
>
Geez, I've met lots of them, though they weren't threatening people.  They were
migrant laborers.  Too damned tired to think of robbing anyone!

theo