Well, Americans are not the only violent. Turns out he was Asian, South Korean national:
TheDude says strict gun laws will never prevent anyone from buying them illegally. I can go buy one now for $200...anywhere. Most gun owners use them responsibly.
It's not an exclusive US thing since we had 2 in Canada, the last one in Montreal 2006 in September.
There is no simple way to answer why such things happened. He definately was a desparate man, however he is not the only one.
I would say, that due to huge publicity of such tragedies in the past, people copy certain behaviors and plant strange ideas in their heads.
In times of desparation and isolation, people look for all kinds of outleats, not always the wisest ones. However, if it wasn't so easy to obtain the gun, over 30 peolple could have been alive today. Bowling for Columbine comes to mind.
majoring in english, loner, undergraduate from korea, they are still gathering information on what/why. the first story I heard was he was argueing with his girlfriend.
The big question that usually arises from a school shooting is "where did the assailant get the gun". Usually it is from home, or a friend/relative. Doesn't anyone lock these up!
March 98 Jonesboro, Arkansas 11 and 13 year old cousins lure students outside w/false fire alarm and open fire, after one of the boys was jilted by a girlfriend. 27 shots fired, 4 girls and a teacher killed.
May 1998 Oregon 15 year old kills 2 classmates and his parents. Says voices in his head instructed him.
April 1999 Littleton, CO Klebold and Harris kill 12 other students, a teacher, and then themselves in a detailed, carefully planned assault.
April 1999 Taber, Alberta 14 year old shoots 2 students with a 22 rifle, killing one and wounding the other.
May 1999 Conyers, Georgia 15 year old opened fire at school with a 22 rifle, shooting 6 people. Boy was taking medication for bi-polar disorder.
November 1999 Deming, New Mexico 13 year old boy shoots 13 year old girl in back of head in a school lobby. Girl was hospitalized and later was taken off life support.
March 2000 Mt. Morris, Michigan 6 year old boy kills 6 year old girl after a playground scuffle. Boy found gun at home, with 3 bullets inside.
None of these incidents should have ever happened. There are many reasons why they did. Availability of guns, lack of supervision (parents have the responsiblity to pry into their kids business!), ignoring warning signs, violence on television-video games-movies, lack of education so teachers know what to watch for in potential assailants, lack of ample school security, and the list just goes on.....
The big question that usually arises from a school shooting is "where did the assailant get the gun". Usually it is from home, or a friend/relative. Doesn't anyone lock these up!
The streets. You can buy hand guns cheap. I doubt that they'd let a Korean national purchase a hand gun
He's only been in the US since 92. So, still Korean...to me anyway.
Which means he came to the USA as an 8 year old....at an age when you are most impressionable/want to fit in........so by now well steeped in the American ways......to me...he would sound/act/be a USA national.
He decided to mimic the previous gun disasters which now are an irregular but all too common event in American life.
they found a receipt in his pocket for a hand gun purchased in march
As a legal permanent U.S. resident, Cho had the same rights as a citizen for the purposes of buying and possessing firearms. In Virginia, a green card holder must establish that he has been a resident of the state for at least 90 days by providing a valid photo ID plus documentation such as a utility bill or lease...
The state's firearms purchase eligibility test lists 16 questions that all must be answered "no" for the purchase to go forward Since 1993 it has been illegal for any person not a licensed firearms dealer to purchase more than one handgun within any 30-day period. The state does not maintain registration lists of firearms owners.
Err.... guess they did let him. Opened mouth...inserted foot.
Which means he came to the USA as an 8 year old....at an age when you are most impressionable/want to fit in........so by now well steeped in the American ways
Good point. But, I was raised in the American ways. I'm a good lad :)
deep down... most americans fear that one day the brits will say "ok... you had your fun... now its time to give the colonies back... they dont belong to you and you seem to have made a bit of a mess"... this is why the average american feels an overwhelming right to keep and bare arms... its obviously not to protect themselves from the indians anymore... duh...
There are already in US, many gun laws that are on the books, but NOT BEING ENFORCED. Lawyers for anti-gun lobby are making up more and more laws that people are not aware of, that will take more of our rights away.
Our telephone books in US boast the thickest part of the pages are LAWYERS.
Take the cars off the road, they kill more people than do guns! :(
Hard to say If more restricted access to guns would be good for America because there are so many of them that criminals would still have them, but in Poland I think that very limited access to guns shouldn't be changed.
I think that very limited access to guns shouldn't be changed.
same in ireland too. though i dont think the gun control would solve all these issues here. This guy could find a gun as we all could no doubt, if we REALLY wanted
Sorry, but the government is going to use this terrible slaughter as another good excuse to ban handguns. Most licenced handgun owners are responsible, and God fearing. With crime in our country escalating, the public has to protect itself, that is why private homes keep loaded handguns. What is the crime rate in Switzerland?
It is a national tradgedy. Our hearts go out to those innocent victims. However, the school must take part of the responsibility because of the 2 hr. lapse of warning the rest of the students.
This is the truth. Because human beings are not perfect. People don't start taking action until directly or indirectly affected to the core of their being.
at the end of the day, its down to the individual.
their profile, their upbringing, education, experiences, genetics, habits etc.
it is sure to say some are found more often in one place than another but i think that just means the gov't should take a more involved and interested role in trying to remedy the situation.
I wouldnt blame to US citizens or a society at large for the actions of the few or the one
