I don't think there is any one cause the can be pointed to with the changing values we see today. I believe the biggest cause might be mass media leading children to believe they can do and get whatever they want without working for it and earning their just ends. I don't think the education system More...

In respect to Janes comment I agree that the 'me' generation is part of the issue, they are what you teach them. but gun control is the answer. However, I am tired of discussing that issue here on site with those in america that think it is their god given right to bear arms. I feel sorry every More...

Rosemary - I agree with your opinion on gun control, but that wasn't the point of my message. After all, if guns were not available, these lunatic murderers would probably use a bomb, the components of which are readily available to one and all - anywhere in the world.

Well said, Greg. Values, self esteem, and work ethic should be taught at home. Parents need to be aware of all aspects of their children's lives. Where are they? What are they doing? Who are they with? Who are their friends? What's going on daily at their school? Do I think that was the case with More...

As we in the US debate (endlessly it seems) the pros and cons of gun conrol, I would love some feedback from the Aussies on this article from the Sydney Morning Herald. (Actually, it's just the first few paragraphs - the rest of the article can be accessed through the link at the end)
More...

It's too bad we can't make the hunters use muzzle loading guns. That what was approved in the constitution.

Jane, spot on with that article from the SMH, by the way.
We're not immune here in Australia unfortunately.
While gun control is a good idea, it only controls those who respect the law. The "me" generation do not think laws are made for THEM to observe, only if they can get More...

cynb, the me generation seems to always be getting bailed out of the trouble they get into by their parents who think they can do no wrong. I agree that parents should be a bit more strict on their kids, like teaching responsibility and accountability for their actions.

I think part of the problem is that some of the people in authority sometimes overstep their boundary and try to push the limit of their authority at times.

I have three muzzle loading firearms; a 50 Cal. Hawken, a 32 Cal. Penna. long rifle and a 12 ga. dbl shotgun. They are a lot of fun to shoot, but they are still deadly. In the wrong hands it would make no difference.

you are right jeb, any weapon is dangerous in the wrong hands. but how do you teach control whether it be with firearms are tempers??

All those guns taken out of our society here in australia has meant that so far we have not had a repeat of Port Arthur. reaching for a knife instead makes it difficult to take away the lives of many innocent people in a blink of an eye. we read weekly sometimes daily of these shootings in america More...

Rosemary, is your point anti-gun or anti-American?

Yes Steve, totally agree - and good family values should include parents AND children taking responsibility for the things they do and parents not always bailing out their children. The chant of the "ME" generation seems to be "It's not my fault".

Personally I think if the media put a black ban on reporting such horrific mass killings, it might slow down the rate of these things happening. Guns will always find their way into the wrong hands if one is desperate enough to get one. Not all mass killings are by the ME generation, so give them a fair go.

I agree, Maureen. Two topics have gotten jammed together that don't belong together. One, of course, is gun control (or the lack thereof).

The other is old folks whinging about the younger generation, which has been going on since Plato and before.

Ian & Maureen - of course you're both right. I admit to being a grumpy old woman and a dinosaur. It was refreshing recently to meet Susan and her family and be reminded that teenagers can be lovely, as hers were.
One can get carried away by current events and forget that most people whether young or old are nice, decent, honest and worthwhile.

totally anti-guns and I thought that was obvious

Following is an excerpt from an AP report on the most recent rampage shooting. The third paragraph is what I don't understand. How could anyone, possibly, feel the NEED to slaughter his fellow man? What has happened to our collective conscience?

As word of the shootings rippled More...

Jane is this what society is becoming?

next we'll have to watch out for vigilante groups. and that makes us no better than those who do the shooting if we condone it

First of all, no one should ever have to go through what those students and families have had to go through.

(Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in the US has an arsenal of guns, but if you look only at the news, movies & TV you'd probably think just that.)

My answer is More...

Sheila - that's basically what I said in my first post that started this discussion. There will always be suicides among young people, but now some of them are taking other people with them. They used to think "They'll be sorry. After I'm gone, everyone will miss me". Now it's, More...

Two topics merged , no doubt..yes.But each are closely related. The lenient law that enables the wrong population(me generation) to get hold of the weapon is the matter of concern here.Just debating at the time of the incidence,highlighting the issue and forgetting abt it till another such More...

While the campus murders are committed by young people, many others are (typically) white males in their 30s and 40s.

And I think, Appy, that other topics could just as well be closely related. For example, is the nannification/feminization of America a contributor? In the recent past, a More...

nothing is ever cut and dried with these kinds of things it's always a conglomeration of things and no one knows what a person is thinking when they do these things.

Steve, I'm not sure it even matters what they're thinking, except to (maybe) diagnose the condition in someone else in the future. And that is a very frightening thought for the next generation.

The fact is that there are things out there that stand on their hind legs, wear clothing, More...

Your words are harsh Ian. Things? Not human? These are people, men AND women, who have not been taught to respect the value of life. Some are warped, but others have been warped by media and denial of common human norms in their upbringing. I am certainly not defending anyone who commits an More...

Right. Nothing is anybody's fault. Nobody's responsible for anything. There is no such thing as evil, just misunderstanding.

Just doing my usual Lurking here .LOL
Interesting discussion, pro's and con's for both sides.
Think I'll just sit on the fence for a little while, before I put in my 2 cents worth.

Hi Ian. I wasn't saying that there aren't evil people in the world. There are lot's of them, but there are a lot more people out there who are being warped with false believes and false values. I do strongly believe that MANY people who commit 'evil' actions could have been intercepted before they More...

Ian, Angie, you were right. This should have stayed on the Easy page. We would have more (hopefully) input.

CG, good point, just look at what has been done with misguided people who join "cults". There's not enough that can be said about how people fall under the spell of some really strange people: Post 1923 Germany, Helter Skelter, Jonestown, Waco, the list goes on. Some people don't have More...

Aside from those who fall under the spell of warped individuals, I think that in today's society people are falling under the hope of false expectations. The Internet and mass media seems to have led to many youngsters to believe they can get anything and everything easily. A good relationship, a More...

Just a couple of questions
1. Is there an age limit for buying guns the same as the age limit to learn to drive and if so, should it be raised to say 21?
2. Why do people need to buy rapid-fire guns? Should there be controls over the type of guns citizens can buy as a defence measure. More...

Yes victoria, you are right..Not all of the present generation is mindless.Now the debate is how to curtail the small minority that pose as human but not human, that jeopardize the lives of this in your own words,"genuinely nice, caring people who will take their place in society and More...

Victoria and Appy, I can't speak to the accessibility of guns in the United States. Here in Canada we have the strictest gun laws in the world. Automatic weapons have been restricted/prohibited since the late 1970s and we have a (controversial) gun registry in place that requires even hunting More...

Just to voice an opinion from the perspective of a firearms owner and ex-avid shooter: I have been around sporting weapons all my life and have spent a great deal of my free time, over the years, afield in happy persuit of supper. In all that time, I have never seen an instance where an automatic More...

In Oregon we have concealed carry laws. To get a concealed carry permit, you must go through a background check and are tested on your use, care & handling of firearms. The permits are not permanent - require renewal (recheck) and can be revoked at any time. People who are authorized to carry More...

Many businessmen/women have conceal carry permits and carry. Not knowing who does and who does not carry is good. It stops those who would do harm to the innocent - or at least makes them think twice. This is why I supported the Sheriff in not releasing the names to the press of those who have conceal carry permits.