School shootings in America (and a wee bit help with homework!)

[Cucumber]

We're not a homework center, people should be doing it themselves. I'd have no problem if they had said "Can someone edit/look over this essay?", but he's basically saying "Here's the assignment, start it off for me." No. It's your work, your essay, and your opinion, not someone else's opinion that you copied off the internet and than expanded on a bit.

Well, first of all, sorry. I'm deeply sorry that I've hurt your feelings this way. (A small tone of sarcasm)

And no. I am not asking you in ANY way to make my homework for me. That's wrong, we all know that. What I'm doing here is gathering different opinions regarding this topic.
I don't think that I as a single person is capable of mentally imagining every persons perspective on some random topic. I know my opinion, and I know my reasons for thinking this way. I might know your opinion, but I don't know your reasons. If I did, I wouldn't be asking.

If you only thought this way because of my OP was cryptic and not understandable in the way I intended, then I'm sorry for not being able to correctly express myself in English. I'm only a kid, after all.

EDIT: Okay, okay. Forget the "I'm only a kid" part. It does sound kind of retarded on reflection.

 

[Berethond]

I have been assigned by my dear English teacher to scribble down an essay about (You guessed it...) School shootings in America.

We've been assaulted with numerous movies and articles about how America is the violent shizzle. But I'd personally like it if I head the opinions from the average, yet quite intelligent, schmoes from The Escapist.

Basically, my assignment goes like this:
"Write a report in which you describe and discuss school shootings in America. Why are American schools especially in the danger zone when it comes to being attacked with guns by crazy or angry students?"

What do you think?
Discuss, and give me some opinions. =)

We need a lot more school shootings. Only after thousands of children have died in schools will we learn to stop bullying, peer-pressure, and parents not actually caring for their kids. It sounds harsh, but most Americans only learn from their own mistakes and will second guess anyone trying to give them advice or help in raising their children.

Agreed. I wanted to say that but I was afraid people would hate me.

 

[zacaron]

I think the problem with the gun violence in amarica is THERE JUST TOO REDILY AVALIABLE.
when I took a trip down to california (from canada) I went to a firing range one of about 5 within easy driving distance and I was using a pistol to shoot at a round target. looking down two lanes I saw a girl she must have been 6-8 and her father was shooting a shotgun at a human shaped target, this by itself wasnt that bad but then the father handed the shotgun to the little girl and congradulated her when she blew the targets head off.
I was 14 at the time and Im speaking out against myself here but gun shots should not rent guns to kids.
I went in to the shop rented the pistol got some bullets, got a bisic explanation of how to fire/reload and started fireing at the target after I was done I went back to the store purchased a knife and then left.

 

[Helnurath]

Agreed. I wanted to say that but I was afraid people would hate me.

Its the only way most of us Americans will learn. It seems we can only learn things the hard way, for more info, see Hurricane Katrina (Building a giant city in a giant depression in the ground next to the ocean?), Greensburg, Kansas (Being from Kansas, I laughed at them. Morons all of them, earthen homes are virtually immune to tornados. Several friends live in them in Lansing.)

 

[lizards]

because this is a big country with not nearly as strict gun control than others

 

[Ken Korda]

It might be interesting to draw parellels with Finland. The EU state with the highest rate of gun ownership and also experienced one or two school shootings

 

[DragunovHUN]

other countries, such as canada, britain and japan, have strict gun control hardly any gun violence.

Hardly any GUN violence, that's right. However that counts for about shit because nutjobs are still dangerous no matter what tool they use. Remember last year in China when a guy ran a van into a market then jumped out and started stabbing people? 17 victims or so? THen a few weeks later another guy in China ran into a POLICE STATION and STABBED 5 POLICE OFFICERS. China has strict gun control too.

Uh-oh!

 

[Necrophagist]

here's my take on the short answer

america is a country with very little gun control, the vast majority have guns, both legal and illegal. other countries, such as canada, britain and japan, have strict gun control hardly any gun violence. the gun violence at school comes from the lack of control over the guns and their proper storage as parents can and do leave their guns in places that make access to the gun easy for their children who think shooting people is the way to solve the problems

FAIL! Gun control does little to curb gun violence - indeed, it creates a trend of not more gun violence, but more of it resulting in fatalities. Look up the numbers - gun control doesn't work.

The problem with school violence is that we in America have created a culture of alienation for our youth. The kids are expected to fit into particular compartments, perform a particular way, score a certain percentage on a test, etc. or they are considered failures. It's the new Sparta, where insufficient children are tossed to the elements and left to whither.

If you have a teenager who has grown up his entire life being told by a religious institution that his sexual preference is evil. That his music is evil. That his clothes make him into a criminal. That his disinterest in sports makes him an outcast. That his lack of interest in pop music makes him a Pariah. That his lack of social skills makes him useless. What do you expect to happen? Americans are so eager, so desperate, to preserve the American Dream that we have slaughtered hopes of so many young people, and this is the result. Senseless violence in an insensitive and senseless world.

I played football in high school, got good grades, listened to all the right music, I was a good looking, sociable young dude, and still I felt alienated. I felt the pressure of the world pressing down on me at all times. It was hard for me, and I can imagine how hard it may have been for kids who didn't fit the social ideal as well as I did.

The problem with school violence in America is social and religious pressures, not gun control or politics. Let's not forget that truism - if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.


... I also suspect that this has something to do with the dumbing-down of the human race as a result of overpopulation, draining the gene pool, and increasing consumption of poisons as a part of our diet. More mercury, anyone?

 

[PumpItUp]

Living in Canada, I don't have much related experience to gun violence, especially in schools. That's obvious. What I do have is the enormous amount of media surrounding the use of guns in America. Everytime there is a shooting (school or otherwise) there is an enormous media storm, even greater if children number among the victims. You might want to consider how the American media (especially TV, cartoons, etc.) have influenced children into thinking guns are cool.

If you only thought this way because of my OP was cryptic and not understandable in the way I intended, then I'm sorry for not being able to correctly express myself in English. I'm only a kid, after all.

This is incorrect. Yes, you are a kid, what of it? Hiding behind "I'm a kid" is like a school shooter hiding behind "They made me do it". It is a flimsy argument.
If you make a mistake, own up to it. You will gain more respect and be less likely to take out your frustrations with a trigger. (Exaggeration, of course, but still...) Children who are mature can take out their frustrations in more constructive and less destructive ways.

School Shootings for the loss.

 

[Necrophagist]

I have been assigned by my dear English teacher to scribble down an essay about (You guessed it...) School shootings in America.

We've been assaulted with numerous movies and articles about how America is the violent shizzle. But I'd personally like it if I head the opinions from the average, yet quite intelligent, schmoes from The Escapist.

Basically, my assignment goes like this:
"Write a report in which you describe and discuss school shootings in America. Why are American schools especially in the danger zone when it comes to being attacked with guns by crazy or angry students?"

What do you think?
Discuss, and give me some opinions. =)

We need a lot more school shootings. Only after thousands of children have died in schools will we learn to stop bullying, peer-pressure, and parents not actually caring for their kids. It sounds harsh, but most Americans only learn from their own mistakes and will second guess anyone trying to give them advice or help in raising their children.

Tell this to someone who lost an innocent friend to a shoot shooting. The people who are gunned down are bystanders with no history of bullying of any sort. Think before you put an idea out there, dude. Look, bullying is a problem, but do you REALLY think that school shootings are the correct response?

I had a girlfriend in high school who, during the course of riding to lunch in the TRUNK of her friend's car, was paralyzed from the neck down when the vehicle was struck by a speeding truck. So is this the kind of thing we need more of to keep kids from riding in trunks? NO. Not up for discussion. She was a great girl, and never really recovered mentally from the accident.

The correct response should be social changes and education. We need to allow out kids to grow up in an environment that supports their development, and doesn't cut them down at every chance.

 

[Siuss]

People in high school are DUMB! We actually had a gun threat my freshman year because guess what? Three girls didn't want to take a test... So they called the police from a cell phone, and told them someone in the school had an assault rifle. So yeah, my reasoning is stupidity has become rampant.

 

[Hath]

Would anyone consider the possibility that perhaps people aren't as violent as we think we are? That perhaps media attention just makes us think we are worse than we really are?

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violence.html

 

[paragon1]

It's true. Guns are easily obtained in the United States. Of course, even if guns were banned here, it doesn't mean someone couldn't get their hands on one if they wanted to. Its a question of geography, Japan and the UK are small island nations. This means it would be relatively easy to stop something from getting in. Australia (please feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken on this) has people largely confined to the coasts. America, on the other hand, has massive borders with Canada and Mexico, as well as very long shore lines. We can't stop tens of thousands of immigrants crossing both borders (the 9-11 hijackers came through Canada, the worlds longest unguarded border), so what makes you think we could stop guns?
Besides, we have a thing called the second amendment which was intended to legitimize local armed militias. It was meant to be a safeguard against federal oppression of states. Also, incidents like Columbine seem more frequent because the media is much faster and more far flung, which means we may just be hearing about the sorts of things more. Finally, I would like to point out that you don't need a gun to kill a lot of people. Wiki Pee-Wee Gaskins if you don't believe me.

 

[wordsmith]

Lets break it down:
"Why are American schools especially in the danger zone when it comes to being attacked with guns by crazy or angry students"

"Why american schools?"

"why are schools a danger zone?"

"Why are they a danger zone for violence?"

"Why are guns used for violence"

"Why is violence used by crazy or angry students"

You now have your outline, do a couple paragraphs on each, grab a point or two from each paragraph and use it to make your conclusion.

My thoughts?

"Why american schools?"
They are more populated and more diverse in student backgrounds, making any situation more likely to occur.
"why are schools a danger zone?"
Schools are a proving ground for people growing into maturity. Risks are taken that would not usually be taken for popularity, and this has an influence on the wellbeing of the student. The more risk you take, the better you look, the more praise you get.
"Why are they a danger zone for violence?"
Angsty teen 1 vs angsty teen 2 = violence. Look at animalistic "young male" behaviour. Fighting to be the Alpha of the pack, challenges etc.
"Why are guns used for violence"
Crowd control. One bullet in the ceiling usually tells people you mean business. Cover the other angle too, non-gun related crowd control. To paraphrase Wanted: "I prefer knives. They never jam, they never run out of ammo and they don't make a sound."
"Why is violence used by crazy or angry students"
Oooh, I know this one... Same reason it's used by crazy or angry adults?

 

[Helnurath]

I have been assigned by my dear English teacher to scribble down an essay about (You guessed it...) School shootings in America.

We've been assaulted with numerous movies and articles about how America is the violent shizzle. But I'd personally like it if I head the opinions from the average, yet quite intelligent, schmoes from The Escapist.

Basically, my assignment goes like this:
"Write a report in which you describe and discuss school shootings in America. Why are American schools especially in the danger zone when it comes to being attacked with guns by crazy or angry students?"

What do you think?
Discuss, and give me some opinions. =)

We need a lot more school shootings. Only after thousands of children have died in schools will we learn to stop bullying, peer-pressure, and parents not actually caring for their kids. It sounds harsh, but most Americans only learn from their own mistakes and will second guess anyone trying to give them advice or help in raising their children.

Tell this to someone who lost an innocent friend to a shoot shooting. The people who are gunned down are bystanders with no history of bullying of any sort. Think before you put an idea out there, dude. Look, bullying is a problem, but do you REALLY think that school shootings are the correct response?

I had a girlfriend in high school who, during the course of riding to lunch in the TRUNK of her friend's car, was paralyzed from the neck down when the vehicle was struck by a speeding truck. So is this the kind of thing we need more of to keep kids from riding in trunks? NO. Not up for discussion. She was a great girl, and never really recovered mentally from the accident.

The correct response should be social changes and education. We need to allow out kids to grow up in an environment that supports their development, and doesn't cut them down at every chance.

Social changes and education that will never come, because the vast majority will not listen or do not care because it has not happened to them. I have lost three friends in my life to violence originating from problems with schools, and what happened, what changed? Nothing. The way are society works has to change completely, you wanna really solve the problem? We had a program in Kansas called ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ANYTHING and First things First. It was simple, you see you take the problem (bullys) kids out of the school system, and put them into a special school for all of the little troublemakers and you treat them as if though they are in prison (body searchs every morning, heavy police officer presense, etc). After these kids get a taste of what one possible outcome is of the path they are heading down, they change or they stay in that school. They enacted this 2 years before I hit ninth grade, my sister had gone to the same school for 3 months and quit to go to a better school in Missouri. When I started high school, everything had changed, we had little to no violence. The school itself would be lockdowned every single day after each class had started, and if you didnt have a pass from a teacher to be out of class it was a 3 day suspension. Get 2 of those and you would be EXPELLED from the school district.
Our government is COMPLETELY reactionary, it does nothing to prevent anything aside from terrorists getting into the country.

 

[Jimmyjames]

The reason there are school shootings: Guns are too easy for kids to get.

Problem is, when our Constitution was written, the "right to bear arms" was written in at a time when we had recently fought a very bloody revolution with..... you guessed it, my UK brethren. The founding fathers of America wanted to give the people a way to protect themselves in the (at the time) very wild frontier of North America. Also, it was thought that people should have the means to keep their government in check. The idea of people having guns was a way to ensure that they have the means to fight the government if need be. The phrase "for the people, by the people" is key. America was never to be a monarchy or dictatorship.

Nowadays the ideal is somewhat outdated, as it is unlikely the people could ever go to war with the government and get anywhere close to winning. Instead, "the right to bear arms" has become a huge industry with lobbyists, the NRA, and businesses making HUGE money from the sale and trade of weapons in our country. It is no longer a "right", it's an institution and an industry.

 

[wordsmith]

Instead, "the right to bear arms" has become a huge industry with lobbyists, the NRA, and businesses making HUGE money from the sale and trade of weapons in our country. It is no longer a "right", it's an institution and an industry.

I'm sorry but it has to be said...

Better the right to bear arms than the right to arm bears!

 

[Necrophagist]

The reason there are school shootings: Guns are too easy for kids to get.

Problem is, when our Constitution was written, the "right to bear arms" was written in at a time when we had recently fought a very bloody revolution with..... you guessed it, my UK brethren. The founding fathers of America wanted to give the people a way to protect themselves in the (at the time) very wild frontier of North America. Also, it was thought that people should have the means to keep their government in check. The idea of people having guns was a way to ensure that they have the means to fight the government if need be. The phrase "for the people, by the people" is key. America was never to be a monarchy or dictatorship.

Nowadays the ideal is somewhat outdated, as it is unlikely the people could ever go to war with the government and get anywhere close to winning. Instead, "the right to bear arms" has become a huge industry with lobbyists, the NRA, and businesses making HUGE money from the sale and trade of weapons in our country. It is no longer a "right", it's an institution and an industry.

Correction - the Constitution calls for a well-regulated militia, being necessary for the survival of the Free State, the right to bear arms shall not be infringed. You can deconstruct it down (many have done so) but it boils down to this: The right to bear arms in America is a basic part of our governmental system, and it is designed to provide for the common defense. Bearing arms, according to the constitution, is to keep the government in check and the power of firearms in the hands of the people.

Street violence is an unfortunate result.

However, without a constitutional amendment revoking the right to bear arms, it is absolute, as the Constitution represents the Supreme Law of the Land in America and cannot be changed by statutes or State laws. Ergo, gun control is unconstitutional.

 

[EXPLICITasian]

School shootings are not caused but simply "being able to obtain guns". We cannot focus simply on how a shooting happened but WHY. All school shootings are caused by a person who's either a social outcast or someone who has been bullied or tormented. People who have grown to hate their school surrounding so much the only possible solution in their mind its to kill before it kills them.

And people trying to ssay that stricter gun laws will stop violence are retarded as well, it will only increase the amount of illegal guns being sold (which are more dangerous and will only cause more gang related violence in the country). Besides kids could not have obtained the guns legally anyway... so changes the law wouldn't affect the kids from getting guns would it now?