Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

America’s Gun Madness, as Seen From Europe
NY Times ^ | OCT. 7, 2015 | MIRA KAMDAR

Posted on 10/07/2015 6:28:55 PM PDT by TroutStalker

PANTIN, France — My mother lives near Roseburg, Ore. Her part of the world isn’t often in the news in France. But when I woke up last Friday morning, the mass shooting on the Umpqua Community College campus in Roseburg had made the French morning television news. There was video of a landscape I know well, of distressed local citizens, and of President Obama delivering his solemn remarks.

Viewed from France, everything about the United States looms large. Still, the numbers the newscasters ticked off — more than 300 million guns in circulation, mass shootings occurring at a rate of nearly one per day, thousands of victims of gun-related deaths — were shocking in their magnitude.

Guns are highly regulated in France. Hunting is a popular sport, but a hunting license is required before a rifle can be purchased. Guns can be bought for use at firing ranges, but only after an application has been filed and approved by the police. All gun buyers must provide a medical certificate of mental and physical fitness to own a weapon, and all guns must be registered. It is illegal to possess military-grade weapons. That the Oregon shooter, Christopher Harper-Mercer, was equipped with five handguns, a semiautomatic pistol and several magazines of ammunition — all purchased legally — is unimaginable here.

*

Terrorists in Europe typically obtain their weapons illegally, and arms trafficking, a serious problem, is growing worse. In 2012, France increased fines and jail terms for possession and trafficking of illegal guns, but it’s unclear if that has had much effect.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-120 next last
To: TroutStalker

“In 2012, France increased fines and jail terms for possession and trafficking of illegal guns, but it’s unclear if that has had much effect.”

Wow, do you think that perhaps the type of person who is willing to commit the more serious crimes *using* a gun isn’t really deterred by the lesser penalties for *having* a gun? Dumbasses.


61 posted on 10/07/2015 7:31:53 PM PDT by PLMerite (The Revolution...will not be kind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MarMema
sad but true
62 posted on 10/07/2015 7:34:21 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

“...thousands of victims of gun-related deaths — were shocking in their magnitude. “

If you’re scared of America, stay in Europe where you’ll be “safe.” We promise not to come over there with our big scary guns to bail your sorry asses out of the next jam you get yourselves into.


63 posted on 10/07/2015 7:34:42 PM PDT by PLMerite (The Revolution...will not be kind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

Remember France is the home of the “unarmed security guards” (aka first to be executed) during the attack by the terrorist on the magazine.


64 posted on 10/07/2015 7:36:02 PM PDT by RetiredTexasVet (Arrogance + stupidity + Muslims refugees = an 8th century 3rd world European Union utopia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Da Coyote

Sums it up quite succinctly.


65 posted on 10/07/2015 7:36:03 PM PDT by Jagdgewehr (It will take blood.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

That’s why Europe sucks.


66 posted on 10/07/2015 7:36:13 PM PDT by stevio (God, guns, guts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker
The fact is Ms. Kamdar is that you live in France, which is not the same as the United States. Your country is known for it's retreats, surrenders and white flag waving.

You compare France with the US, but if the US wanted to be France, we would all move there. But we don't. We want to be the US.

And you might want to look over you shoulder at the hundreds of thousands of so-called refugees flooding into Europe. You might change your tune about guns when you have to defend yourself from the invading hoards from the Middle East. Good luck with that.

67 posted on 10/07/2015 7:38:13 PM PDT by HotHunt (`)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: minnesota_bound
Europe, home of WW1 and WW2 and unknown numbers of wars before.

Yes, Europe certainly has a sordid history. Weren't the Germans disarmed before Hitler could run amok? I know there were attempts on his life, but can you imagine how history could have been changed, if one person would have blown him into next week? Wait till the muzzies pick them off a few at a time. Screw the Euro weenies. I lived in Europe long enough to know, that I would rather be somewhere else.

68 posted on 10/07/2015 7:38:44 PM PDT by Mark17 (Heaven, where the only thing there that's been made by man are the scars in the hands of Jesus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

2nd Amendment bump for later.....


69 posted on 10/07/2015 7:39:18 PM PDT by indthkr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

I’ve got two words for the author of this bilge. Charlie Hebdo.


70 posted on 10/07/2015 7:41:29 PM PDT by Flick Lives (One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast. -- Heinlein)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WENDLE

Go home, troll.


71 posted on 10/07/2015 7:43:20 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear (I'm fed up.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

did not mention switzerland/swiss model where everyone owns a full auto rifle.

only a stupid american ex-pat living in france could write such an article. only a stupid american paper such as the NYT would publish such an article.


72 posted on 10/07/2015 7:43:42 PM PDT by SteveH
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bryanw92

circulation puts me in mind of Newspapers or Blood Supply...


73 posted on 10/07/2015 7:52:10 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ("Never, Never, Never, Give Up," Winston Churchill ><>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: minnesota_bound

Indeed and we are fools if we go over there again and bail them out.


74 posted on 10/07/2015 7:59:38 PM PDT by ColdSteelTalon (Light is fading to shadow, and casting its shroud over all we have known...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

Armenia, Ukraine, all of occupied Europe under Hitler, and Stalin in Russia again after WW2.

Victim disarmament continent.

Remember, Hitler didn’t initiate gun control in Deutchland, it commenced with the “liberal” Weimar republic.


75 posted on 10/07/2015 8:04:02 PM PDT by grumpygresh (We don't have Democrats and Republicans, we have the Faustian uni-party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Bookmarked for theft


76 posted on 10/07/2015 8:08:33 PM PDT by ExGeeEye (The enemy's gate is down...and to the left.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: kitchen

http://chicagoist.com/2015/10/05/_americas_mass_shooting_problem.php

http://shootingtracker.com/wiki/Mass_Shootings_in_2015


77 posted on 10/07/2015 8:10:50 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker
Terrorists in Europe typically obtain their weapons illegally, and arms trafficking, a serious problem, is growing worse. In 2012, France increased fines and jail terms for possession and trafficking of illegal guns, but it’s unclear if that has had much effect.

At the rate things are going in Europe in a few short years French citizens will be clamoring to join the NRA..

78 posted on 10/07/2015 8:11:32 PM PDT by GOPJ (Democrats want gun legislation? Fine. Pass a Bill outlawing 'gun free' zones.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TroutStalker

Why aren’t they concerned about America’s Abortion Madness.

Here we have a Political Party that supports Abortion up until the moment of Birth, and beyond if they don’t get caught.

I most of Europe, Abortion is restricted to the First Trimester without any “special circumstances” for having an Abortion after that time period. Very restrictive compared to the United States.


79 posted on 10/07/2015 8:20:48 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (Missing Tagline. Reward for return.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 21twelve

bfl

Is that from ONE source...or many? Just wondering.


80 posted on 10/07/2015 8:24:17 PM PDT by goodnesswins (hey..Wussie Americans....ISIS is coming. Are you ready?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-120 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson