Slaughter in the street.

[Gerry]

In Europe a few countries have liberal gun laws, for example Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland. Gun ownership is prevalent in Switzerland.
But it seems there is something wrong with America, so many nuts that misuse their guns. Okay, America is a large country with 300m residents but well.

Other than the military, the only private arms I recall seeing was shotguns and occasional rifle. No handguns.

I think the primary difference is handguns and assault weapons here in the US.

Guns are a pride thing in many European countries. They are almost a work of art. I recall a few people I worked with in Italy having handmade and engraved shotguns in Belgium that they ended up selling for thousands of dollars in the states. I was in Italy where Beretta was located. Same thing - gorgeous craftsmanship and engraving.

The shotguns were for display and hunting, mostly fowl. The rifles I saw in use (or in private hands) all appeared to be WWII era. I just don't recall much about them as I was more impressed with the engraved/collectible shotguns.

[tetrapak]

In Europe a few countries have liberal gun laws, for example Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland. Gun ownership is prevalent in Switzerland.
But it seems there is something wrong with America, so many nuts that misuse their guns. Okay, America is a large country with 300m residents but well.


There are quite a few democracies where far right parties/policies are thriving. Democracy != freedom

Switzerland is a huge exception, but it is still by far one of the safest countries in the world. The only reason for the high weapons / capita is that they have the second largest armed force (after Israel) per capita (and they keep their guns at home - not for collection or for fun shootings, or for personal safety, but as obligation).

Kate, if far right parties would take over, they would lead the army, and average people would have no chance, and anyway, it would mean a civil war where millions could die. A bit utopistic thought in Europe, don't you think?

Murder rate per capita in Switzerland: 0.00921351 per 1,000 people
Murder rate per capita in the USA: 0.042802 per 1,000 people

[Area52]

Like you elect a dictator in a democracy...

Yea, but his ass will be out by 2013.

[katherine]

Kate, if far right parties would take over, they would lead the army, and average people would have no chance, and anyway, it would mean a civil war where millions could die. A bit utopistic thought in Europe, don't you think?

No take over is necessary, because democratic parties in Europe have already embraced many far-right policies. Freedoms have been waning out but I'm getting offtopic

Murder rate per capita in Switzerland: 0.00921351 per 1,000 people
Murder rate per capita in the USA: 0.042802 per 1,000 people

Now it's getting interesting isn't it ? BTW do you have a source ?

[Gerry]

Yea, getting back on topic...

The investigation is ongoing (naturally)...

The possible reasons for these shooting spree are:

over a woman
gang related
drug related
contracted hit

There is a pretty strong presence of MS-13 in this area (Winston Salem) and I am sure it expands up the road a piece to Mount Airy.

The fact that this happened in a parking lot across from the hospital at 230 in the afternoon has got a lot of people worried. There is another parking lot that staff uses and is overflow for the ER that is perpendicular (across the street) to this site.

I am sure people would like to know where all the stray bullets went. Pretty freaky to think this happened in the open and practically in the street.

[tetrapak]

No take over is necessary, because democratic parties in Europe have already embraced many far-right policies. Freedoms have been waning out but I'm getting offtopic


Now it's getting interesting isn't it ? BTW do you have a source ?

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cr...ers-per-capita and Wikipedia has these numbers somewhere also. Note that the countries with worse rates have significantly less GDP / capita as well than the USA. Another note is that the statistics of the Islamic countries can be considered as joke imho. Note 3. many countries are missing (Iran, UAE etc etc). Note 4. it is kind of off topic, although I guess in many cases they use guns for raping, and that is where USA belongs to third world countries as well: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cr...pes-per-capita