Since 1983, Bob Gorrell has been an editorial cartoonist in Richmond, Va. first with the Richmond News Leader and then, starting in 1992, with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. On January 1, 1998, he resigned from the Times-Dispatch to concentrate on syndicated editorial cartoons and comic panel features for Creators Syndicate.
© Creators Syndicate, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.
John Deering by John Deering
Walt Handelsman by Walt Handelsman
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MortyForTyrant said, 4 months ago
There are lots of reasons. But right now the discussion goes “There are lots of reasons, so we can’t do anything”. Universal background checks, limited magazines and a ban on assault weapons can be done. Filling the federal database with mental health issues can be done. Self-restricting on violent games and movies can be done. Parental supervision can be done. Everything can be done, but somebody needs to do it, and if the gun-nuts cry havoc each step of the way Newtown will become daily routine and people will flee the U.S. for safer places. Is that what the NRA wants, so they can have the whole country for themselves and reenact the Wild Wild West?
Gypsy8 said, 4 months ago
@MortyForTyrant
“…… and people will flee the U.S. for safer places…….”
.
That’s not conjecture either. My American sister and brother-in-law are looking at retiring in Canada because they believe gun violence in the U.S. will increase. This is my brother-in-law who packed a hand gun when going on a family picnic. The rest of us wondered if he had something in his past.
NoCents
said, 4 months ago
Regarding violent games and movies – can anyone point to unbiased evidence that they are really a factor? Logically, it would seem that they make the player/watcher numb to the violence and killing. But you can also argue that playing/watching “gets it out of there system” (satiates?) so it makes them not need to do the actual acts. Seems like I have seen/heard evidence that with the vast availability of porn on the internet, sex crimes are down. If true, that might indicate the latter rather than the former.
Rodent50 said, 4 months ago
@MortyForTyrant
Morty,
Gun crime in the US has been declining for years, even as tens of millions of new guns have been bought, including millions of scary-looking-rifles.
The FBI says that in 2007 rifles (ALL rifles, not “assault” rifles) were used to kill 453 people. 5 years later, in 2011, it’s down to 323. (At that rate, if we keep buying enough rifles, we’ll have zero rifle murders by 2025. ;) )
Also, state after state has passed new laws allowing concealed carry. In every case people have predicted, as you just did, the return of the “wild west”. Of course it’s never happened. Crime decreases.
Tell me, please, Morty, why are you so concerned about US politics from Germany?
echoraven said, 4 months ago
@MortyForTyrant
“…and if the gun-nuts cry havoc each step of the way Newtown will become daily routine and people will flee the U.S. for safer places”
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I don’t think people that favor gun control will ever leave. Being able to have an all powerful and benevolent government (like Nazi Germany) is too delicious a lure for the lovers of the lefty Kool Aid whose motto should be “drink, don’t think”.
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Our problems stem from culture, not weapons. The safest place you’ll ever be is at a gun range.
MortyForTyrant said, 4 months ago
@echoraven
First of all: I am German, just as disclaimer. Secondly: please imagine a gun-range where everybody is crazy and/or high and/or stupid. Still the safest place? That’s the U.S., sorry to say so.
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And how on earth do you change the “culture” of people as stubborn as the average U.S. citizen? How many years since the emancipation declaration? When was the last time the KKK lynched a black guy? Change of culture? You’re a dreamer!
MortyForTyrant said, 4 months ago
@Rodent50
Because it’s so bloody well amusing :-(
MortyForTyrant said, 4 months ago
@NoCents
I’m over 45 but I played everything since the original “Castle Wolfenstein”. My personal experience is that you can get into a “zone”. You play for hours and hours and then you go to bed and you hear voices and see things in your dreams and you toss and turn and wake up and don’t know what’s real and what’s not. I wouldn’t trust myself with a gun in such a situation! It goes away within 24 hours after ending/finishing the game, but it is very disconcerting. A buddy of mine once was committed to hospital because he suffered a mild heart-attack in a similar situation.
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BTW: My last such game was Crisis 3. I fought for hours and hours on the bridge/walkway leading to New Yorks Central Station. Exactly were “The Avengers” make their final stand. Amazing! I now feel a deep bond with Captain America…
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PS: Maybe it’s my mind, because a similar thing happens when I play “Battle Isle 3” (strategic, round based war game) for a long time, I start to see the world as hexagonal like in the game. Makes shaving a very difficult task :-)
Gypsy8 said, 4 months ago
@Rodent50
“……..Gun crime in the US has been declining for years, even as tens of millions of new guns have been bought, including millions of scary-looking-rifles……”
.
See if that’s any consolation to the 26 killed at Newtown;
the 49 killed and wounded at Virginia Tech;
the 70 killed and wounded at the movie theatre in Aurora. Co;
the 43 killed and wounded at Fort Hood;
the 19 killed and wounded at Tucson including Gabby Giffords;
etc. etc. etc.
DrCanuck said, 4 months ago
@Gypsy8
Gypsy8 said, “The rest of us wondered if he had something in his past….”
Yeah, people who flee their country often do (nurf nurf).
Gypsy8 said, 4 months ago
@DrCanuck
Is there something you’d like to share? Shall we call Oprah?
onguard said, 4 months ago
@NoCents
OnCents said:“Regarding violent games and movies – can anyone point to unbiased evidence that they are really a factor?”………The shooter at Sandy Hook was a big Gamer (of violent games)………http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sandy-hook-shooter-linked-violent-404576
onguard said, 4 months ago
@Gypsy8
Your attempt at a negative rationalization of a true statement is shameful.
Gypsy8 said, 4 months ago
@onguard
“……….Your attempt at a negative rationalization of a true statement is shameful……..”
.
You make no sense. How is calling attention to the mass slaughterings of innocent people that calls out for something meaningful to be done shameful?
onguard said, 4 months ago
@Gypsy8
Move along….This is America…..enjoy your vacation, spend your money then go home.