posted April 17, 2007 01:33 PM            

Why are resident aliens allowed to purchase guns? What purpose does that serve, are resident aliens going to protect us from the British quartering soldiers in our homes? I mean come ON...What is wrong with this country?

posted April 17, 2007 06:41 PM            

quote:

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Why are resident aliens allowed to purchase guns?

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Ummm, for the same reason that citizens are allowed to......for protection. Not all resident aliens run around shooting up schools; atleast no one in my family (alien or citizen) does that.

posted April 17, 2007 06:44 PM            

Guns have been part of our culture since it's inception, and I'm not aware of any rampages like this in schools and universities over the course of our history, so it seems to be a more recent phenomenon.

I think his nationality shouldn't be an issue. And if he's a resident alien, then he's not illegal and he has the same rights as a citizen (ie; the right to bear arms - or do I completely misunderstand what rights legal non-citizen residents have?).

VT

posted April 17, 2007 07:11 PM            

I have no problem with resident aliens being in the military.

But I don't think the constitution should be extended to include gun purchasing rights for these people. Anything to curb the ability to purchase guns. This doesnt' have to do with discrimination, it has to do with limiting the number of people who can buy guns.

Does anyone want to cite evidence showing that guns saved/protected more lives than took lives?

There's really very little evidence to show that guns save lives, most of the evidence is quite to contrary. Additionally, the constitution was written during a much different time historically. I think the fact the occurence of these events is increasing is an indication that our society has changed, and as a result, the laws need to change.

Alchemist, addressing your statement that school should more closely monitor students. Moniotoring millions of students is virtually impossible. How can they keep tabs on every single person? The problem here is not with keep watch on people, the problem is not with security, the problem is that IT IS TOO EASY TO PURCHASE EXTREMELY DEADLY WEAPONS, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. People don't need a 9 millimiter GLOCK to defend themselves.

posted April 17, 2007 07:41 PM            

But whats wrong with resident aliens having gun? Don't they own huge property where intruders are a threat to them ?

I think guns must be banned for age 21 and below. Or some other age cap.

More strict gun issue policy should be enforced.

posted April 17, 2007 11:14 PM            

If I were President of a University I'd start recruiting, doing background checks, setting up multiple armories, buying safety equipment, non-lethal weapons and diversionary devices. I think a properly trained crew, even without lethal weapons, could take out these crazies faster than a traditional school security response. While some people might think that a lethal response would be more appropriate, I think it would be great to grab these guys alive and force them to account for their actions --take away the easy escape route. I think it's more a more threatening outcome for the prepetrator to consider.

If I were a student right now, I think I'd be tempted to consider my self-defense options.

posted April 18, 2007 01:06 AM              

I am sure that the people who were there were doing everything that they could that they thought would be in the best interests of the students.

When things like this happen you cannot go around blaming people. This is a tradgedy that links with much bigger social issues than 'who wasnt doing their job properly'.