Is it really this bad??????

[LO1121]

I live in this town and there have been multiple mass murder sprees in Isla Vista. Rodgers was mentally ill and his parents/psychologist/dr were all aware of this fact. They have spoken out on this. However, the community here has been speaking out for gun control laws and is using this very horrible thing as a strong platform to stand on. The thing that strikes me as interesting is how conservative this area actually is in comparison to surrounding areas. The republican count is high, but they are not talking. I don't like how (and btw I'm not a republican) the activists use heart breaking and terrifying events to further their cause. I understand why they do it, but it feels wrong. Especially in a community that should be given space to grieve and be angry and go through the steps required to look forward again. Sorry, I had to post as it's very close to my heart.

[Thorne]

I don't like how ... the activists use heart breaking and terrifying events to further their cause. I understand why they do it, but it feels wrong.

One of the problems which was highlighted after the school shooting in Massachusetts was that the gun rights activists screamed about using these incidents to further the gun control agenda, saying that emotions were too raw for rational discussion. But when things have calmed down, they refuse to have rational discussions because there's no real good reason for them.

The best time for these discussions is in the aftermath of such incidents. It forces both sides to look at the real world consequences of bad gun control laws. Yes, emotions are high, and yes, people are upset. That seems to be the only time that things can get done in this country anymore, though. So I'm fine with using every horrific incident like this to advance serious legislation to CONTROL (not ban) gun ownership.