Sad week in Orlando

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Don't know if this is right place for this or not. If not, feel free to move.
A few days ago ex-Voice/rising star Christina Grimmie was gunned down after a show.
Then early this morning 50 people were killed & 53 more were injured at a LGBT club by a terrorist.
Both happened in Orlando, Florida. As an audition round watcher of The Voice & fellow LGBTer these tragedies saddens & frustrates me.
Feel free to share your thoughts & concerns here. 🙁

 

[Skanky Vamp]

And could have easily been averted if more thorough measures were taken in 2013/14 when he was initially flagged as a concern.

 

[Blaze]

This is a huge hit for the LGBTQ+ community. I can't quite describe the feeling going through the community right now. All that I can say is that I am deeply affected by this, and my heart is with the victims, and their families. My heart also goes out to my fellow LGBTQ+ members, who are going through a lot today. Many who have to do so in silence.

I would also like to add that this was an act of homophobia. The family of the killer have come forward and confirmed that their son was homophobic, and he did not practice their religion. I've already seen much of the media turn this to a religious and political debate. But is it too much to ask that we mourn the victims first and foremost. This was an atrocious hate crime.

 

[Athena]

This is an atrocious hate crime. I've only just read up on it. I'm just so sad for the innocent victims and families who've lost loved ones, and for the LGBTQ community as a whole. I'm also sad for the Muslim community, who will yet again all be painted as terrorists in the media because of the actions of these minority extremists. Hatred breeds fear and fear breeds hatred.

I don't know who Christina Grimmie is (I don't watch the US Voice), but to be murdered after a show is just horrific. Seriously, what is the world coming to when people can't be safe after a music show, or in a nightclub?!

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Kind of surprised that, after the attacks in Paris, they don't have metal detectors & security by them at concerts/clubs.

 

[Professor Walsh]

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this horrible act of violence.

(HowiMetdaSlayer, I cannot imagine a situation where every club can afford such security measures. Besides, it is impossible to control every little nook and cranny of our societies.)

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Don't know. I'd imagine that most mid to large clubs/venues could afford detectors and proper security.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Don't know. I'd imagine that most mid to large clubs/venues could afford detectors and proper security.

Most of that size have bouncers and wands but that is only good for lawful people. There is no way that would deter him. He called the police before he even set foot in the club, no amount of security would have prevented it. Security at the door cannot prevent terrorist acts.

 

[GwenRaiden]

If someone were determined enough to commit such a heinous act of violence and hatred then nothing is going to stop them, and that's exactly what happened.

The only security which could have done something to prevent such a tradgedy is the federal law enforcement, who apparently let the guy slip through their fingers twice.

To me, now more so than ever, the argument that transgenders in bathrooms are a threat to public safety is laughable.

I not only feel awful for the community targeted but the Muslim communities too, who will no doubt have to deal with the brunt of this insane extremist act.

 

[Priceless]

It was a hate crime, a terrible tragedy and my heart breaks for the friends and families. I cannot even imagine the horror inside that club.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I think too many people are dismissing it as a hate crime when just last week it was said:
"The smallest action you do in the heart of their land is dearer to us than the largest action by us, and more effective and more damaging to them, and if one of you wishes and tries hard to reach the Islamic State, then one of us wishes to be in your place to hurt the Crusaders day and night without sleeping, and terrorize them so that the neighbor fears his neighbor."

The fact this happened during Ramadan is not a coincidence either. I just think by people calling it simply a 'hate crime' lessens with it actually was.

 

[Washburne]

As all shootings it's a tragedy. Thoughts and prayers coming for all over the world. Seem to do a lot of good doesn't it? That might sound harsh and although I don't pray my thoughts definitely go out to the ones affected.

Yes, the problem is more complicated than just banning all guns. If a person wants to harm someone and they're determined enough they'll probably find a way, using explosives, knifes, axes , a rock, scissors or swords (happened in Sweden). Although for the untrained person, unless you can build your own bomb, guns seem to be the most effective ones if you want to cause as much harm as possible and want a specific target. So is there really the need for the average civilian to be able to buy something like this? Being able to use one at a gun ranch or something, sure ok but to have one of your own? From an outside perspective it does seem like you're asking for trouble.

Yes, I know the shooter also had a handgun but wonder why he preferred this one. It's not like one like it were used only in this case but the likes have been used in a lot of mass shootings.

 

[white avenger]

And, worst of all, the news media does its usual part to encourage a repetition of this sort of thing in the future. If they would simply report that there was a mass shooting on this date, at this location, and that the perpetrator was subdued/killed on sight, rather than turning the tragedy into a circus event, there would be less incentive for the next deranged, suicidal idiot to do the same thing. These people want attention, either to advance their agenda or simply be recognized and remembered. Denying them that, simply by not making their names public knowledge would, I honestly believe, be more of a deterrent than all of the useless liberal rhetoric that we have seen every time something like this happens.

The death of innocent people is a tragedy, regardless of the surrounding circumstances, but glorifying the killer does nothing more than encourage someone else to grab their own moment in the spotlight by doing the same thing.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

So is there really the need for the average civilian to be able to buy something like this?

The average civilian doesn't buy them, but people that go shooting, hunting or use them for home defense buy them. I get tired of people blaming guns for everything. The gun is not to blame.

 

[white avenger]

So is there really the need for the average civilian to be able to buy something like this?

I have no desire whatsoever to get into yet another debate on this subject, but I would like to point out that the Brady Bill banned the sale of so called assault weapons and the manufacture and/or sale of high capacity magazines for a period of 10 years, and it had no effect whatsoever on the number of gun related deaths in this country. The real "need" is to find an effective way of identifying these deranged individuals and stopping them before it goes this far. Denying them one method of fulfilling their goal simply means that they will find another way to do the same thing, or worse.

 

[Mr Trick]

The average civilian doesn't buy them, but people that go shooting, hunting or use them for home defense buy them. I get tired of people blaming guns for everything. The gun is not to blame.

Well then how do they end up in the hands of average civilian (debatable if they are the average civilian but still). Of course the Gun itself is not to blame, but it seems to be a pretty logical argument to say that if Gun access was restricted then America would reduce the number of Gun crimes. This a better education on the subject and alternative outlets for people outside of these activities is the way forward IMO.
 

I have no desire whatsoever to get into yet another debate on this subject, but I would like to point out that the Brady Bill banned the sale of so called assault weapons and the manufacture and/or sale of high capacity magazines for a period of 10 years, and it had no effect whatsoever on the number of gun related deaths in this country. The real "need" is to find an effective way of identifying these deranged individuals and stopping them before it goes this far. Denying them one method of fulfilling their goal simply means that they will find another way to do the same thing, or worse.

Of course, but that still doesn't mean that you shouldn't deny them it. Its a bit like saying you wouldn't stop a rapist because chances are he or should would still find something else bad to do like murder.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

it seems to be a pretty logical argument to say that if Gun access was restricted then America would reduce the number of Gun crimes.

It seems logical to the ignorant and uninformed people that constantly say that and like to drill that idea into the media and anyone else that will listen what statistics disprove it.

 

[Mr Trick]

It seems logical to the ignorant and uninformed people that constantly say that and like to drill that idea into the media and anyone else that will listen what statistics disprove it.

Yes, but if you listen too much to statistics then I find that problemtic also. Statistics are always being twisted or not telling the full story. For basic points statistics can be of use, but they should only be used as starting point. A lot of the time they either misrepresent something or they only tell you a very basic fact about something which is way more complex than that.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

LOL yes, facts are problematic when you are trying to push an agenda. I agree.

 

[Mr Trick]

LOL yes, facts are problematic when you are trying to push an agenda. I agree.

But I'm not trying to push an agenda. I'm a level headed person who has a strong view on this matter. And the problem is you can claim media twisting things all you like. But when there have been so many cases in such a small space of time and with so many deaths then it gets to the point where you have to face up to facts and say that gun control is a big issue. Not to mention I've heard interviews with neive trigger happy Americans who just don't see how there is a problem and feeling like they would be punished if their guns were taken away. But it has nothing to do with them, it has to do with making people safer and that is something which every person should be interested in. Besides which if they don't have a issue personally then it shouldn't matter if their guns are taken away or if access is restricted in general.