So I'm quiet, shy and introverted..

[OceanMist]

Hello. I just wanted to point out that he didn’t have an automatic weapon. What he had was a semi-automatic rifle. This type of rifle shoots one round per trigger squeeze. Every time you pull the trigger only one round fires. An automatic rifle (machine gun) will fire continuously with one trigger pull. That means a person could pull the trigger and fire all rounds inside the magazine in one continuous stream. The movie theater shooter had a semi-automatic rifle, and the Vtech shooter had two semi-automatic pistols. It is very hard to get a machine gun in the US. You have to have a Class 3 license which involves you having to fill out a lot of paperwork, background checks, and you have to pony up some money also.

I didn't know they are were semis, my bad. I must have heard the automatic and not heard the semi.

Oh well, it's not like somehow these incidents weren't as bad just because these guys had semi-auto weapons as opposed to auto weapons.

I guess people will find a way to kill eachother no matter what kind of gun they can get.

 

[OceanMist]

You have likely already heard this argument, but don't forget that the whole point of the second amendment is to allow the people to protect themselves from their own government and authority, if need be. Only allowing authority figures to have those weapons would completely nullify and contradict the purpose of that constitutional right.

I could understand that if we were living in Syria or something, but here in the USA, I'm not concerned about the police busting in my house and capping me with a pistol. I am comfortable with all authority in my country, and I am extremely proud of our military and I know they are ready to fight for me rather than use force against me.

The problem with this situation is everyone keeps bringing up rights. What about the victims' rights? The minute you give someone the right to carry a weapon, it's the same time you give them the right to kill someone.

I have a problem with giving all these people the right to make that giant decision of using a lethal weapon of a gun's force. There are too many idiots in the USA, way too many idiots.

The problem isn't the police, military or authority. The problem is the people shooting up schools, drive-by shootings and now apparently movie theaters. It's the civilians that are the problem.

 

[cowboyup]

In regard to this shooter "lacking empathy"....

I watched "Through The Wormhole", an episode about evil.
One neuroscientist hypothesized that it is popular to assume mass killers lack empathy, it is not true. Empathy is in all of us, it depends on how we utilize it - in cases of serial killers, mass murders, random shootings, people assume these evil ones lack any emotion/feelings for another human. These people can tap into their reservoir of empathy and bring it up when advantageous to their situation - otherwise, they bury it.

Granted, this was one person's take on it...

*hope this makes some kind of sense. Hard for me to express what I am trying to say today - my mind is all over the place can't concentrate.

 

[Everett]

In regard to this shooter "lacking empathy"....

I watched "Through The Wormhole", an episode about evil.
One neuroscientist hypothesized that it is popular to assume mass killers lack empathy, it is not true. Empathy is in all of us, it depends on how we utilize it - in cases of serial killers, mass murders, random shootings, people assume these evil ones lack any emotion/feelings for another human. These people can tap into their reservoir of empathy and bring it up when advantageous to their situation - otherwise, they bury it.

Granted, this was one person's take on it...

*hope this makes some kind of sense. Hard for me to express what I am trying to say today - my mind is all over the place can't concentrate.

Not completely true. Sociopaths lack empathy, that's how they can use people like tools and not feel guilt over what they've done. There are many different medical definitions of sociopathy because it's so hard to define, but the common factor between all the definitions is that sociopaths lack the ability to feel guilt/empathy. Most con artists can be defined as sociopaths because they wreck others' lives for their own personal well-being and need for stimulation.

 

[cowboyup]

Not completely true. Sociopaths lack empathy, that's how they can use people like tools and not feel guilt over what they've done. There are many different medical definitions of sociopathy because it's so hard to define, but the common factor between all the definitions is that sociopaths lack the ability to feel guilt/empathy. Most con artists can be defined as sociopaths because they wreck others' lives for their own personal well-being and need for stimulation.

^ Yup, and that is what I was taught in my criminal profiling/criminology classes - but like I said, it was one person's opinion on the matter and I tend to side with the fact that there are a few *holes* or *kinks* that need to be worked out in his theory, lol!

A debate that could go on and on, right?

 

[Everett]

^ Yup, and that is what I was taught in my criminal profiling/criminology classes - but like I said, it was one person's opinion on the matter and I tend to side with the fact that there are a few *holes* or *kinks* that need to be worked out in his theory, lol!

A debate that could go on and on, right?

It would make sense if sociopaths could tap into their hidden empathy and utilize it to manipulate others. The Stanford Prison Experiments come to mind; even normal people are able to suppress their emotions to the point of being monsters. Maybe sociopaths are just regular people who prefer living the way they do over living the mundane and menial lives like the rest of society.

 

[A Many Splendored Thing]

I didn't know they are were semis, my bad. I must have heard the automatic and not heard the semi.

Oh well, it's not like somehow these incidents weren't as bad just because these guys had semi-auto weapons as opposed to auto weapons.

I guess people will find a way to kill eachother no matter what kind of gun they can get.

Who needs a gun? I think a gun is the wimps way to murder. *point* *click*

Maybe they could empathize more with the person if they had to actually commit to it.

I could understand that if we were living in Syria or something, but here in the USA, I'm not concerned about the police busting in my house and capping me with a pistol. I am comfortable with all authority in my country, and I am extremely proud of our military and I know they are ready to fight for me rather than use force against me.

The problem with this situation is everyone keeps bringing up rights. What about the victims' rights? The minute you give someone the right to carry a weapon, it's the same time you give them the right to kill someone.

I have a problem with giving all these people the right to make that giant decision of using a lethal weapon of a gun's force. There are too many idiots in the USA, way too many idiots.

The problem isn't the police, military or authority. The problem is the people shooting up schools, drive-by shootings and now apparently movie theaters. It's the civilians that are the problem.

You can never stop people(criminals) from getting them. At least giving civilians something to protect themselves with if they choose is acceptable.

In regard to this shooter "lacking empathy"....

I watched "Through The Wormhole", an episode about evil.
One neuroscientist hypothesized that it is popular to assume mass killers lack empathy, it is not true. Empathy is in all of us, it depends on how we utilize it - in cases of serial killers, mass murders, random shootings, people assume these evil ones lack any emotion/feelings for another human. These people can tap into their reservoir of empathy and bring it up when advantageous to their situation - otherwise, they bury it.

That makes me think of shows or movies with a villain. He's high and mighty when he has the power, but begs for his life when he has the gun pointed at him; of course, then he gets the gun again and acts all high and mighty.

Perhaps it's not real, but I would assume it happens. These people would know what it feels like in the victims situation, but they wouldn't care.

 

[PhillyFlyersGrl]

Not completely true. Sociopaths lack empathy, that's how they can use people like tools and not feel guilt over what they've done. There are many different medical definitions of sociopathy because it's so hard to define, but the common factor between all the definitions is that sociopaths lack the ability to feel guilt/empathy. Most con artists can be defined as sociopaths because they wreck others' lives for their own personal well-being and need for stimulation.

I agree with you here..I think people can lack empathy. And I think they can "fake it" to their advantage. But I don't think its genuine..just an act.

 

[PersonaChaotica]

Well hehe it has crossed my mind a few times. The link between that. There is a difference between hurting a fly (insect, animal) and hurting a human though. Not saying of course that you would go on a killing spree. If you are a material for such a behavior you would know. So don't worry about it, since I'll presume that you're not. judging by your avatar, you look calm and loving!

 

[PhillyFlyersGrl]

It was just an expression.."not hurting a fly" I wouldnt hurt a person either.
Social Phobia makes you care what other people think and makes you a bit paranoid. So when you here these nut jobs described the same way you would be..for me at least it makes me cringe. I don't want us to be looked at as possible criminals because we are shy or introverted, quiet etc. Like some kind of stigma..

 

[razzle dazzle rose]

Does anyone else cringe when something bad happens and people most of the time describe the person as "quiet, loner" etc?

Yeah, I do resent that. But I can see how they come to those conclusions and it makes sense. The loners are more prone to those kinds of acts. Male loners especially.

A few days before the shootings, I called a mental health access center. She asked me if I wanted to hurt myself or wanted to hurt others. They always ask me that.

I have wanted to hurt myself and have in the past. Sometimes I want to hurt other people but the feeling is fleeting. I don't know how someone can go do such atrocities though. What is it that snaps? I can't imagine the horror those people went through that night. I already avoid banks; now I will avoid movie theaters too.