Guns have been in American homes for over 200 years but mass shootings have only been a problem for a decade or so...Guns are not the root of the problem, the ability to access a weapon is not the problem, lack of regulation isnt the problem, so I ask again, what is the root of the problem? Even 50 years ago the ability was present to commit mass shootings yet it was not a problem...The answer is much deeper than the what I mentioned

A lot of variables but for me it circles back to poor social environment and poor social conditioning. The Orlando mass shooting was based on hate by all accounts. The Dylann Roof shooting was based on hate. This shooting will more than likely be linked to bullying in high school both physically and mentally which led to his hate and need to kill. 

The only two shootings I don't feel 100% comfortable nor clear on is the Sandy Hook and Las Vegas shootings. A lot of the circumstances, motives and investigations between those two shootings doesn't add up in most cases. But I think 50 years ago the population, demography, social environment and social conditions were a lot less complex but you still had heated issues. 

1968 though you're talking about black and white affairs, Vietnam, the assassination of JFK, etc. Television wasn't the forefront. You had maybe 200 million people in the country compared to the 320-330 million people living in it now. Work was probably more consistent too. 

I think today's social media platforms and the access to so much violence, pornography and random hook ups doesn't help. There's been a tremendous shift in lifestyle. There's more dependency on prescription or over the counter drugs. The identity of what a family used to be and look like has changed. The social constructs and terminologies are just overbearing at times. 

The world has always been a [BLEEP] up place in spurts. Don't get me wrong. Times were tougher at times back then and so forth and each generation tried to approve upon the hardships of the previous one but I now think we're entering this really, really weird age of technology and industries that really begin to devalue and dehumanize all of us. Everyone is locked in 24/7 to their news feeds, their multiple social networking accounts. I experience it here at work now with work emails clearly coming in after hours but it's like an unspoken thing now where you're expected to be available 24/7. Taking work home with you. 

It's never enough. The average person now is way too wired in this country. And the generations to come will be just as bad. The conditions we're now living in are fascinating because for all the good we think it's doing there is definitely something there in the underbelly [BLEEP] us all up. Eventually everything ends. It's cyclical. At least that's what I hope.

I agree with the hate thing, but hate has also been ever present and yet until recently very few mass killings by guns...Even back during the black vs white era, lots of hate, violence, and anger, yet very few mass gun killings even though it was incredibly simple to buy weapons...I remember buying my first shotgun at the hardware store as a teenager without having to have my parents with me, bought my first rifle at the same place...

Youth back in the day, would always find a way to get in trouble and make people hate them, but even though there were guns in nearly every pickup truck on campus, no one went and got them and used them, they simply fought until there was a winner...The very thought of using our weapons never entered our minds, or if someone embarrassed us, or bullied us we either beat the [BLEEP] out of them and went on with our lives, or got our [BLEEP] beat and went on with our lives, without having to grab our guns...

I realize that todays world isnt like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Andy Griffith" I'm not quite that old to have lived when punishments were that simple...If we got in trouble, we got our [BLEEP] beat by our parents and were held accountable for what we did, today's youth are not...I saw 2 different videos of the families of teen age boys who were old enough to work, who both (separately) broke into someones home  and were killed by the homeowners...The reaction of both families when asked how they felt said, "Well how is he supposed to get money he needs for shoes and clothes and stuff he needs?"

---

How did this guy pass a background check? Bringing amo to school, fighting, making terroristic threats?

---

How did this guy pass a background check?  Bringing amo to school, fighting, making terroristic threats?

Not sure. More information is slowly being released regarding all of this. Supposedly the FBI was notified and they sat on some of the information. I haven't really delved into that yet. He was clearly deranged. He was flashing his hardware and making threats on multiple social media accounts and yet nothing was done. Just another aspect of our justice system I can't seem to understand. The laziness or failure to execute is astounding for all the wrong reasons. Of course that's only if it's true that they were indeed contacted.

But it doesn't surprise me anymore. Between the FBI, CIA and NSA. These [BLEEP] programs have failed the American people or inflicted their own atrocities on the American people for decades now. They either get information of a possible terrorist act and literally don't act upon it. Or they do some shady [BLEEP] themselves for personal motives or gains to keep someone quiet for good when they've exposed or leaked something they weren't supposed to. 

It's not even a "tin foil hat" theory or "conspiracy theory" at this point anymore. Their incompetence is publicly known now. The system does need to be looked at though. Or at least the punishments and fines need to be very, very harsh on sellers not abiding by the law as it stands today. I am not a gun nut or guru by any means. So you won't catch me on here throwing terms around like semi automatic, fully automatic, etc. Won't even waste my time in that area. 

I am a big believer in protecting our amendments. Especially the 2nd and 4th amendments. It does piss me off a bit that a lot of other countries across social media platforms (HAHA... made a big fuss about this yesterday and yet here I am this morning and I can barely put my phone down) like to chime in and throw their two cents into the topic. Scotland this. Australia that. Sweden this. 

And it's frustrating because I am a fan of statistics and analytics. And at times it does boil down to numbers for me. So when I see countries with a little over 5 million, 25 million and 10 million people most of which are from the same race or religion. It's just funny to me. You're literally comparing tiny little ants of mostly one color and one creed to this giant [BLEEP] melting pot of freedom and opportunity we call the United States of America. And somehow because their laws work or have worked in a tiny, tiny, tiny [BLEEP] scale it'll somehow translate into success over here. 

Which we all know it won't. There's just too much [BLEEP] going on over here all at one time. When you have 300M+ people living in it. And they're mostly crammed into the cities closest to the oceans or ports. And then you have people scattered in the middle. It's different everywhere you look and go. It's hard to explain. But hopefully some of you on here get it. And I don't mean any disrespect to our friends from across the pond or in the land down under.

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

A lot of variables but for me it circles back to poor social environment and poor social conditioning. The Orlando mass shooting was based on hate by all accounts. The Dylann Roof shooting was based on hate. This shooting will more than likely be linked to bullying in high school both physically and mentally which led to his hate and need to kill. 

The only two shootings I don't feel 100% comfortable nor clear on is the Sandy Hook and Las Vegas shootings. A lot of the circumstances, motives and investigations between those two shootings doesn't add up in most cases. But I think 50 years ago the population, demography, social environment and social conditions were a lot less complex but you still had heated issues. 

1968 though you're talking about black and white affairs, Vietnam, the assassination of JFK, etc. Television wasn't the forefront. You had maybe 200 million people in the country compared to the 320-330 million people living in it now. Work was probably more consistent too. 

I think today's social media platforms and the access to so much violence, pornography and random hook ups doesn't help. There's been a tremendous shift in lifestyle. There's more dependency on prescription or over the counter drugs. The identity of what a family used to be and look like has changed. The social constructs and terminologies are just overbearing at times. 

The world has always been a [BLEEP] up place in spurts. Don't get me wrong. Times were tougher at times back then and so forth and each generation tried to approve upon the hardships of the previous one but I now think we're entering this really, really weird age of technology and industries that really begin to devalue and dehumanize all of us. Everyone is locked in 24/7 to their news feeds, their multiple social networking accounts. I experience it here at work now with work emails clearly coming in after hours but it's like an unspoken thing now where you're expected to be available 24/7. Taking work home with you. 

It's never enough. The average person now is way too wired in this country. And the generations to come will be just as bad. The conditions we're now living in are fascinating because for all the good we think it's doing there is definitely something there in the underbelly [BLEEP] us all up. Eventually everything ends. It's cyclical. At least that's what I hope.

I agree with the hate thing, but hate has also been ever present and yet until recently very few mass killings by guns...Even back during the black vs white era, lots of hate, violence, and anger, yet very few mass gun killings even though it was incredibly simple to buy weapons...I remember buying my first shotgun at the hardware store as a teenager without having to have my parents with me, bought my first rifle at the same place...

Youth back in the day, would always find a way to get in trouble and make people hate them, but even though there were guns in nearly every pickup truck on campus, no one went and got them and used them, they simply fought until there was a winner...The very thought of using our weapons never entered our minds, or if someone embarrassed us, or bullied us we either beat the [BLEEP] out of them and went on with our lives, or got our [BLEEP] beat and went on with our lives, without having to grab our guns...

I realize that todays world isnt like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Andy Griffith" I'm not quite that old to have lived when punishments were that simple...If we got in trouble, we got our [BLEEP] beat by our parents and were held accountable for what we did, today's youth are not...I saw 2 different videos of the families of teen age boys who were old enough to work, who both (separately) broke into someones home  and were killed by the homeowners...The reaction of both families when asked how they felt said, "Well how is he supposed to get money he needs for shoes and clothes and stuff he needs?"

Good points. Hate has been around forever. Long before gunpowder and firearms were invented mankind had sticks and stones and blades and bows. That didn't seem to slow anybody down from kicking [BLEEP] and taking names when they wanted to for multiple reasons. My dad said the same thing. He had rifles, shotguns and pistols growing up and he grew up relatively poor. "We used our [BLEEP] hands and fists back then to handle disputes when words could no longer suffice... like men...". That's what he said. And I believe him. 

I saw that video too. I think it was down in Dade County. That was CRAZY. Play stupid games and you win stupid prizes...or die. Family values are dwindling down each decade. I blame technology to an extent. 10 - 15 years ago I could drive down San Pablo on a Saturday or Sunday and that elementary park would be flooded with kids riding or running around the track, playing basketball, playing soccer or football and now every weekend when I get back with my dad from fishing it's a ghost town year round. 

Saddest [BLEEP] I've ever seen man. I was born in 1988. I'll be 30 in April. I grew up during an interesting era where video games were still in the 16 bit phase and Mortal Kombat was the big burden of Government to get off store shelves. Fast forward to now. THAT was a joke in comparison to the [BLEEP] kids can access on TV through Youtube, Twitch, Xvideos, etc. It can't be a coincidence that a rise in violence, suicide, STD's, depression, drug dependency, illegal activity and so forth have sky rocketed as technology has sky rocketed. 

Whether it's programming or not. There needs to be a tighter emphasis on family values again. Parents need to educate their children on the difference between reality and fantasy. I think that's a start.

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

I agree with the hate thing, but hate has also been ever present and yet until recently very few mass killings by guns...Even back during the black vs white era, lots of hate, violence, and anger, yet very few mass gun killings even though it was incredibly simple to buy weapons...I remember buying my first shotgun at the hardware store as a teenager without having to have my parents with me, bought my first rifle at the same place...

Youth back in the day, would always find a way to get in trouble and make people hate them, but even though there were guns in nearly every pickup truck on campus, no one went and got them and used them, they simply fought until there was a winner...The very thought of using our weapons never entered our minds, or if someone embarrassed us, or bullied us we either beat the [BLEEP] out of them and went on with our lives, or got our [BLEEP] beat and went on with our lives, without having to grab our guns...

I realize that todays world isnt like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Andy Griffith" I'm not quite that old to have lived when punishments were that simple...If we got in trouble, we got our [BLEEP] beat by our parents and were held accountable for what we did, today's youth are not...I saw 2 different videos of the families of teen age boys who were old enough to work, who both (separately) broke into someones home  and were killed by the homeowners...The reaction of both families when asked how they felt said, "Well how is he supposed to get money he needs for shoes and clothes and stuff he needs?"

Good points. Hate has been around forever. Long before gunpowder and firearms were invented mankind had sticks and stones and blades and bows. That didn't seem to slow anybody down from kicking [BLEEP] and taking names when they wanted to for multiple reasons. My dad said the same thing. He had rifles, shotguns and pistols growing up and he grew up relatively poor. "We used our [BLEEP] hands and fists back then to handle disputes when words could no longer suffice... like men...". That's what he said. And I believe him. 

I saw that video too. I think it was down in Dade County. That was CRAZY. Play stupid games and you win stupid prizes...or die. Family values are dwindling down each decade. I blame technology to an extent. 10 - 15 years ago I could drive down San Pablo on a Saturday or Sunday and that elementary park would be flooded with kids riding or running around the track, playing basketball, playing soccer or football and now every weekend when I get back with my dad from fishing it's a ghost town year round. 

Saddest [BLEEP] I've ever seen man. I was born in 1988. I'll be 30 in April. I grew up during an interesting era where video games were still in the 16 bit phase and Mortal Kombat was the big burden of Government to get off store shelves. Fast forward to now. THAT was a joke in comparison to the [BLEEP] kids can access on TV through Youtube, Twitch, Xvideos, etc. It can't be a coincidence that a rise in violence, suicide, STD's, depression, drug dependency, illegal activity and so forth have sky rocketed as technology has sky rocketed. 

Whether it's programming or not. There needs to be a tighter emphasis on family values again. Parents need to educate their children on the difference between reality and fantasy. I think that's a start.

agree but how do you force family values on people? When violent movies and video games are tools parents allow their children to watch and play non stop so they are occupied and not bothering them, there is a problem, but how can you alleviate that? How can you force parents to actually spend quality time with their kids? How can you make kids like to emulate and glorify Rappers less who "sing" about killing cops, killing people who disrespect them, taking what they want from anyone, jacking cars, robbing and looting? "Music" today is all about glorifying "thug life" and gaining materialistic items...Technology depends on what you are grouping in that term...The ability to find anything you want in seconds via the internet is both a blessing and curse, but how do you make todays youth turn the tide back into a civilized group of kids who have morals and values?

---

Good points. Hate has been around forever. Long before gunpowder and firearms were invented mankind had sticks and stones and blades and bows. That didn't seem to slow anybody down from kicking [BLEEP] and taking names when they wanted to for multiple reasons. My dad said the same thing. He had rifles, shotguns and pistols growing up and he grew up relatively poor. "We used our [BLEEP] hands and fists back then to handle disputes when words could no longer suffice... like men...". That's what he said. And I believe him. 

I saw that video too. I think it was down in Dade County. That was CRAZY. Play stupid games and you win stupid prizes...or die. Family values are dwindling down each decade. I blame technology to an extent. 10 - 15 years ago I could drive down San Pablo on a Saturday or Sunday and that elementary park would be flooded with kids riding or running around the track, playing basketball, playing soccer or football and now every weekend when I get back with my dad from fishing it's a ghost town year round. 

Saddest [BLEEP] I've ever seen man. I was born in 1988. I'll be 30 in April. I grew up during an interesting era where video games were still in the 16 bit phase and Mortal Kombat was the big burden of Government to get off store shelves. Fast forward to now. THAT was a joke in comparison to the [BLEEP] kids can access on TV through Youtube, Twitch, Xvideos, etc. It can't be a coincidence that a rise in violence, suicide, STD's, depression, drug dependency, illegal activity and so forth have sky rocketed as technology has sky rocketed. 

Whether it's programming or not. There needs to be a tighter emphasis on family values again. Parents need to educate their children on the difference between reality and fantasy. I think that's a start.

agree but how do you force family values on people? When violent movies and video games are tools parents allow their children to watch and play non stop so they are occupied and not bothering them, there is a problem, but how can you alleviate that? How can you force parents to actually spend quality time with their kids? How can you make kids like to emulate and glorify Rappers less who "sing" about killing cops, killing people who disrespect them, taking what they want from anyone, jacking cars, robbing and looting? "Music" today is all about glorifying "thug life" and gaining materialistic items...Technology depends on what you are grouping in that term...The ability to find anything you want in seconds via the internet is both a blessing and curse, but how do you make todays youth turn the tide back into a civilized group of kids who have morals and values?

That's the million dollar question man. I really don't know how you can force anyone to do anything honestly. Not without at least mandating it through force. Which will only make the situation worse and that's not the American way, at least not on our soil and not openly. It's really up to the individual to make that happen. It starts with the mother and father. And unfortunately anybody can have children these days. 

I am glad I am catching myself now before it's too late. I've literally found myself mentally trying to break away from my phone. Yelling at myself internally "Put it the [BLEEP] down!". It's addictive. A blessing and a curse like you perfectly put it. Not to sound too cheesy but I guess it really does come down to that old saying of "With great power comes great responsibility". And today's generation is TERRIFIED. [BLEEP] TERRIFIED of responsibility. 

Nobody wants to pick something up heavy and move it around anymore. Physically and metaphorically. I am guilty of that from time to time. But we owe it to our country and we owe it to our society and we honestly owe it to our future and our children and grandchildren's futures. Something has to give. Before we bottom out as a society.

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

agree but how do you force family values on people? When violent movies and video games are tools parents allow their children to watch and play non stop so they are occupied and not bothering them, there is a problem, but how can you alleviate that? How can you force parents to actually spend quality time with their kids? How can you make kids like to emulate and glorify Rappers less who "sing" about killing cops, killing people who disrespect them, taking what they want from anyone, jacking cars, robbing and looting? "Music" today is all about glorifying "thug life" and gaining materialistic items...Technology depends on what you are grouping in that term...The ability to find anything you want in seconds via the internet is both a blessing and curse, but how do you make todays youth turn the tide back into a civilized group of kids who have morals and values?

That's the million dollar question man. I really don't know how you can force anyone to do anything honestly. Not without at least mandating it through force. Which will only make the situation worse and that's not the American way, at least not on our soil and not openly. It's really up to the individual to make that happen. It starts with the mother and father. And unfortunately anybody can have children these days. 

I am glad I am catching myself now before it's too late. I've literally found myself mentally trying to break away from my phone. Yelling at myself internally "Put it the [BLEEP] down!". It's addictive. A blessing and a curse like you perfectly put it. Not to sound too cheesy but I guess it really does come down to that old saying of "With great power comes great responsibility". And today's generation is TERRIFIED. [BLEEP] TERRIFIED of responsibility. 

Nobody wants to pick something up heavy and move it around anymore. Physically and metaphorically. I am guilty of that from time to time. But we owe it to our country and we owe it to our society and we honestly owe it to our future and our children and grandchildren's futures. Something has to give. Before we bottom out as a society.

agreed...no one really likes to do much of anything anymore other than stare at their phones and work them keys, or wear those controllers out including grown men and women

---

I agree with the hate thing, but hate has also been ever present and yet until recently very few mass killings by guns...Even back during the black vs white era, lots of hate, violence, and anger, yet very few mass gun killings even though it was incredibly simple to buy weapons...I remember buying my first shotgun at the hardware store as a teenager without having to have my parents with me, bought my first rifle at the same place...

Youth back in the day, would always find a way to get in trouble and make people hate them, but even though there were guns in nearly every pickup truck on campus, no one went and got them and used them, they simply fought until there was a winner...The very thought of using our weapons never entered our minds, or if someone embarrassed us, or bullied us we either beat the [BLEEP] out of them and went on with our lives, or got our [BLEEP] beat and went on with our lives, without having to grab our guns...

I realize that todays world isnt like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Andy Griffith" I'm not quite that old to have lived when punishments were that simple...If we got in trouble, we got our [BLEEP] beat by our parents and were held accountable for what we did, today's youth are not...I saw 2 different videos of the families of teen age boys who were old enough to work, who both (separately) broke into someones home  and were killed by the homeowners...The reaction of both families when asked how they felt said, "Well how is he supposed to get money he needs for shoes and clothes and stuff he needs?"

Good points. Hate has been around forever. Long before gunpowder and firearms were invented mankind had sticks and stones and blades and bows. That didn't seem to slow anybody down from kicking [BLEEP] and taking names when they wanted to for multiple reasons. My dad said the same thing. He had rifles, shotguns and pistols growing up and he grew up relatively poor. "We used our [BLEEP] hands and fists back then to handle disputes when words could no longer suffice... like men...". That's what he said. And I believe him. 

I saw that video too. I think it was down in Dade County. That was CRAZY. Play stupid games and you win stupid prizes...or die. Family values are dwindling down each decade. I blame technology to an extent. 10 - 15 years ago I could drive down San Pablo on a Saturday or Sunday and that elementary park would be flooded with kids riding or running around the track, playing basketball, playing soccer or football and now every weekend when I get back with my dad from fishing it's a ghost town year round. 

Saddest [BLEEP] I've ever seen man. I was born in 1988. I'll be 30 in April. I grew up during an interesting era where video games were still in the 16 bit phase and Mortal Kombat was the big burden of Government to get off store shelves. Fast forward to now. THAT was a joke in comparison to the [BLEEP] kids can access on TV through Youtube, Twitch, Xvideos, etc. It can't be a coincidence that a rise in violence, suicide, STD's, depression, drug dependency, illegal activity and so forth have sky rocketed as technology has sky rocketed. 

Whether it's programming or not. There needs to be a tighter emphasis on family values again. Parents need to educate their children on the difference between reality and fantasy. I think that's a start.

I think there are plenty of families who still hold family values. This isn't to say that when I go to restaurants I don't see a family of 4 all on their phones sometimes but I also see parents who have the coloring books out. My family is one of them. I have a 2 year old and the last thing I'm gonna do is throw a tablet in front of his face to get him calm.

I think things are changing at a rapid pace because of technology. In the 70's and 80's, things didn't evolve this quickly. I think it's becoming harder and harder to keep up with these changes. I don't think technology is bad because eventually, this young generation will find a cure for cancer by using technology. I mean they already have the ability to find a marker in someones DNA that detects breast cancer before it happens. I think parents of this young generation just need to keep better tabs on what their child is viewing online. Back when I was in school, if a kid was being bullied at school, it stopped when they went home. Now, they are bullied at school and then online when they go home. There's no break. It's constant.

I'm 32 so I grew up like you did. I was outside until it was dark and then played a little Mario Kart on N64. It's different now and I don't think different is bad. I just think it's incredibly hard to keep up with it and educate kids on it. Once you educate them on one thing, something new comes up.

---

Good points. Hate has been around forever. Long before gunpowder and firearms were invented mankind had sticks and stones and blades and bows. That didn't seem to slow anybody down from kicking [BLEEP] and taking names when they wanted to for multiple reasons. My dad said the same thing. He had rifles, shotguns and pistols growing up and he grew up relatively poor. "We used our [BLEEP] hands and fists back then to handle disputes when words could no longer suffice... like men...". That's what he said. And I believe him. 

I saw that video too. I think it was down in Dade County. That was CRAZY. Play stupid games and you win stupid prizes...or die. Family values are dwindling down each decade. I blame technology to an extent. 10 - 15 years ago I could drive down San Pablo on a Saturday or Sunday and that elementary park would be flooded with kids riding or running around the track, playing basketball, playing soccer or football and now every weekend when I get back with my dad from fishing it's a ghost town year round. 

Saddest [BLEEP] I've ever seen man. I was born in 1988. I'll be 30 in April. I grew up during an interesting era where video games were still in the 16 bit phase and Mortal Kombat was the big burden of Government to get off store shelves. Fast forward to now. THAT was a joke in comparison to the [BLEEP] kids can access on TV through Youtube, Twitch, Xvideos, etc. It can't be a coincidence that a rise in violence, suicide, STD's, depression, drug dependency, illegal activity and so forth have sky rocketed as technology has sky rocketed. 

Whether it's programming or not. There needs to be a tighter emphasis on family values again. Parents need to educate their children on the difference between reality and fantasy. I think that's a start.

I think there are plenty of families who still hold family values. This isn't to say that when I go to restaurants I don't see a family of 4 all on their phones sometimes but I also see parents who have the coloring books out. My family is one of them. I have a 2 year old and the last thing I'm gonna do is throw a tablet in front of his face to get him calm.

I think things are changing at a rapid pace because of technology. In the 70's and 80's, things didn't evolve this quickly. I think it's becoming harder and harder to keep up with these changes. I don't think technology is bad because eventually, this young generation will find a cure for cancer by using technology. I mean they already have the ability to find a marker in someones DNA that detects breast cancer before it happens. I think parents of this young generation just need to keep better tabs on what their child is viewing online. Back when I was in school, if a kid was being bullied at school, it stopped when they went home. Now, they are bullied at school and then online when they go home. There's no break. It's constant.

I'm 32 so I grew up like you did. I was outside until it was dark and then played a little Mario Kart on N64. It's different now and I don't think different is bad. I just think it's incredibly hard to keep up with it and educate kids on it. Once you educate them on one thing, something new comes up.

Agreed. I am aiming for that balance too on my end and I want to instill those very same values within my own family when the time comes. But like you said. Once you get done resolving one thing out comes another one. I am all for advancements in multiple fields. Technology included. But it's a fast moving river at this point and it's truly terrifying. Elon Musk has talked about the future. Along with others in or around his field. 

Of course the main topic is A.I. And now you're seeing A.I being placed in robots built like us. To me that's dangerous. That's what I am mostly concerned with in the future. Because if it's in the wrong hands, which in most cases it will be. You're talking about the possibilities of super machines faster than us, smarter than us, stronger than us and even capable of working non stop when it comes to productivity. We're basically staring down the barrel of the possible end of humanity as we know it today. 

And what happens when Corporations start getting into that field? They'll naturally aim to replace us with them. So now you have more jobless people who need some type of assistance. It's just a weird situation that's just around the corner. I mean it's basically already here. It's just a matter of time before it develops even further. Hell, didn't the Saudis just recognize "Sophia" as an A.I machine with human rights? What kind of [BLEEP] is that?

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

Good points. Hate has been around forever. Long before gunpowder and firearms were invented mankind had sticks and stones and blades and bows. That didn't seem to slow anybody down from kicking [BLEEP] and taking names when they wanted to for multiple reasons. My dad said the same thing. He had rifles, shotguns and pistols growing up and he grew up relatively poor. "We used our [BLEEP] hands and fists back then to handle disputes when words could no longer suffice... like men...". That's what he said. And I believe him. 

I saw that video too. I think it was down in Dade County. That was CRAZY. Play stupid games and you win stupid prizes...or die. Family values are dwindling down each decade. I blame technology to an extent. 10 - 15 years ago I could drive down San Pablo on a Saturday or Sunday and that elementary park would be flooded with kids riding or running around the track, playing basketball, playing soccer or football and now every weekend when I get back with my dad from fishing it's a ghost town year round. 

Saddest [BLEEP] I've ever seen man. I was born in 1988. I'll be 30 in April. I grew up during an interesting era where video games were still in the 16 bit phase and Mortal Kombat was the big burden of Government to get off store shelves. Fast forward to now. THAT was a joke in comparison to the [BLEEP] kids can access on TV through Youtube, Twitch, Xvideos, etc. It can't be a coincidence that a rise in violence, suicide, STD's, depression, drug dependency, illegal activity and so forth have sky rocketed as technology has sky rocketed. 

Whether it's programming or not. There needs to be a tighter emphasis on family values again. Parents need to educate their children on the difference between reality and fantasy. I think that's a start.

I think there are plenty of families who still hold family values. This isn't to say that when I go to restaurants I don't see a family of 4 all on their phones sometimes but I also see parents who have the coloring books out. My family is one of them. I have a 2 year old and the last thing I'm gonna do is throw a tablet in front of his face to get him calm.

I think things are changing at a rapid pace because of technology. In the 70's and 80's, things didn't evolve this quickly. I think it's becoming harder and harder to keep up with these changes. I don't think technology is bad because eventually, this young generation will find a cure for cancer by using technology. I mean they already have the ability to find a marker in someones DNA that detects breast cancer before it happens. I think parents of this young generation just need to keep better tabs on what their child is viewing online. Back when I was in school, if a kid was being bullied at school, it stopped when they went home. Now, they are bullied at school and then online when they go home. There's no break. It's constant.

I'm 32 so I grew up like you did. I was outside until it was dark and then played a little Mario Kart on N64. It's different now and I don't think different is bad. I just think it's incredibly hard to keep up with it and educate kids on it. Once you educate them on one thing, something new comes up.

 the problem is that there is a huge lack of parental supervision and discipline today..I will say the parents who are lacking in supervision and discipline are a minority, but several small problems cause bigger problems...Another problem is one parent homes, homes, homes where there are frequent changes in who lives with mamma, and absentee parents...anyway this is getting off topic so I'll stop there

---

Some interesting dialog in this thread today.

First I'll address our English friend regarding shooting as a "sport" or "hobby".  I have just a bit over 40 acres of property out in the woods that I'm currently developing.  All of my "neighbors" around me have at the minimum 10 acres.  We do like to get together on the weekends and socialize, cook out, etc.  We also set up targets and take turns shooting different firearms to practice our shooting skills.  We also have a few that shoot some skeet.  We are very safe and have strict rules among ourselves regarding the handling of firearms, which direction to not only point them but where and when to shoot.  We always announce to one another when the "range" is hot meaning somebody is about to shoot and when it's safe.  It's a fun thing and a social thing when we get together.  Very rarely do you see anyone take a phone out which leads me to my next point.

I believe it was Caldarac that pointed out something a few pages back that leads me to think that it's a major contributing factor in the rise of these kinds of incidents.  People are so "connected" to technology these days 24/7 via apps like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, etc.  Many seem to place so much "value" in "likes" or "followers".  That's one of the major things that is different today vs. "back in the day" when I went to school.  It's not only social media, but also the internet.  There is so much available instantly.  I'm not saying that this is the whole cause, but it is a major contributor to our social problems in today's society.  Add to that the very violent and graphic video games that are available today.

Back when I was a youth, we didn't have such things and didn't have mass shootings.  I was taught gun safety via a voluntary course that my PE instructor taught after school in the school cafeteria (Hunter's Safety) when I was in 5th grade.  In high school I was one of those that had a gun rack and a gun in my truck in the school parking lot.  The thought never crossed my mind to use it there, even if I got into a fist fight with another student.

Another major contributor in this issue is the change in values regarding what is "acceptable" in today's society.  Much of the modern culture shuns religion (this is not a religious discussion or argument) and accepts what once used to be "taboo" as "normal".  Teenage pregnancy, single parent homes, kids in school being disrespectful to faculty, drug use, etc. is now "acceptable" and "normal".  Heck, we have kids today that don't know which bathroom to use.

Back when I was a youth we stood for The Pledge of Allegiance and The National Anthem, and we respected the authority and leadership of our teachers.  We addressed elders as Sir and/or Mam.  We honored our parents and respected them.

The bottom line is, new gun laws are not going to change anything.  What needs to change is society and the values that we hold.

---

...how do you make todays youth turn the tide back into a civilized group of kids who have morals and values?

Proper parenting.

---

'02

...how do you make todays youth turn the tide back into a civilized group of kids who have morals and values?

Proper parenting.

The government says you can't do that. If you do then you won't rear a government dependent moron and they can't have that.

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

One reason for these nut jobs is we quit teaching values and the meaning of life. We took one basic thing out of society (which I can't mention here) and replaced it with every man for himself
I say Bring back family values in the home and quit letting the inmates (The children) run the asylum. You can't even touch your child now a days without them screaming abuse.
Bring back the Draft and have everyone serve 2 years at least in the military, that will teach people a sense of self worth.
Until we get back to teaching the value of human life, we will have these nut jobs running loose and creating havoc and sorrow for everyone else.

Hahahahahaha ... oh, wait. You're serious, aren't you?

You seem very confused. You are perhaps the biggest supporter of Trump on here, yet you claim to want "family values" instead of "every man for himself."

So which is it? Family values or paying off porn stars? I guess policy trumps (ha ha) morality, doesn't it? So I don't think we need any phony claims to advocate for back in the day silliness.

---

The sun's not yellow, it's chicken.

One reason for these nut jobs is we quit teaching values and the meaning of life. We took one basic thing out of society (which I can't mention here) and replaced it with every man for himself
I say Bring back family values in the home and quit letting the inmates (The children) run the asylum. You can't even touch your child now a days without them screaming abuse.
Bring back the Draft and have everyone serve 2 years at least in the military, that will teach people a sense of self worth.
Until we get back to teaching the value of human life, we will have these nut jobs running loose and creating havoc and sorrow for everyone else.

Hahahahahaha ... oh, wait. You're serious, aren't you?

You seem very confused. You are perhaps the biggest supporter of Trump on here, yet you claim to want "family values" instead of "every man for himself."

So which is it? Family values or paying off porn stars? I guess policy trumps (ha ha) morality, doesn't it? So I don't think we need any phony claims to advocate for back in the day silliness.

Politically correct reference to casting the first stone or other culturally transpositive analogy.

---

...how do you make todays youth turn the tide back into a civilized group of kids who have morals and values?

while I agree wholeheartedly, just exactly what is that nowadays? How do you decide what good parenting is? Do you go by the millennial standard of parenting, who believe in just doing whatever makes them happy, or do you just go by your own morals and beliefs and say to heck what others believe this is the right way? The latter seems to be what everyone is doing today and each will say they are good parents

Proper parenting.

---

Now the gnu has acknowledged a second tip on Jan 5 this time specifically identifying Nicolas Cruz.

So to recap in the last 7 years local police were summoned to the kids home 39 times, he was expelled from school after repeated disciplinary problems including fights, threats, and bringing ammunition to school "which I believe is a crime." The fbi was notified in September that a user with his name a total of only 13 in the country" was aspiring to be a school shooter and on Jan 5 the gnu was notified by someone in the kids circle that he had a gun, wanted to kill people and might be a candidate for a school shooter. And that says nothing of the Iraqi and Syrian resistance videos the kid apparently watched.

Two of the worst shootings in our countries history have happened in this state in the last 18 months And both shooters were known to the gnu and telegraphed an intent to do mass harm. This is a failure of epic proportions.

---

Now the gnu has acknowledged a second tip on Jan 5 this time specifically identifying Nicolas Cruz.  

So to recap in the last 7 years local police were summoned to the kids home 39 times, he was expelled from school after repeated disciplinary problems including fights, threats, and bringing ammunition to school "which I believe is a crime." The fbi was notified in September that a user with his name a total of only 13 in the country" was aspiring to be a school shooter and on Jan 5 the gnu was notified by someone in the kids circle that he had a gun, wanted to kill people and might be a candidate for a school shooter.   And that says nothing of the Iraqi and Syrian resistance videos the kid apparently watched.

Two of the worst shootings in our countries history have happened in this state in the last 18 months And both shooters were known to the gnu and telegraphed an intent to do mass harm.  This is a failure of epic proportions.

so where were the parents during all of this? apparently they paid very little attention to this kid

---

Now the gnu has acknowledged a second tip on Jan 5 this time specifically identifying Nicolas Cruz.  

So to recap in the last 7 years local police were summoned to the kids home 39 times, he was expelled from school after repeated disciplinary problems including fights, threats, and bringing ammunition to school "which I believe is a crime." The fbi was notified in September that a user with his name a total of only 13 in the country" was aspiring to be a school shooter and on Jan 5 the gnu was notified by someone in the kids circle that he had a gun, wanted to kill people and might be a candidate for a school shooter.   And that says nothing of the Iraqi and Syrian resistance videos the kid apparently watched.

Two of the worst shootings in our countries history have happened in this state in the last 18 months And both shooters were known to the gnu and telegraphed an intent to do mass harm.  This is a failure of epic proportions.

And here you find the root cause instead of the knee jerk blaming of the gun. Folks need to pull their heads out and pay attention to their surroundings. In addition, law enforcement agencies need to start taking tips seriously. The living in a bubble mentality is not working. We need to not be afraid to interfere when there are moral discrepancies. Of course, there is no single answer to the issue. It will take a combination of school campus safety/security reform, Law Enforcement reform, and teacher/parental influence.

---

Now the gnu has acknowledged a second tip on Jan 5 this time specifically identifying Nicolas Cruz.  

So to recap in the last 7 years local police were summoned to the kids home 39 times, he was expelled from school after repeated disciplinary problems including fights, threats, and bringing ammunition to school "which I believe is a crime." The fbi was notified in September that a user with his name a total of only 13 in the country" was aspiring to be a school shooter and on Jan 5 the gnu was notified by someone in the kids circle that he had a gun, wanted to kill people and might be a candidate for a school shooter.   And that says nothing of the Iraqi and Syrian resistance videos the kid apparently watched.

Two of the worst shootings in our countries history have happened in this state in the last 18 months And both shooters were known to the gnu and telegraphed an intent to do mass harm.  This is a failure of epic proportions.

So where are all the civil libertarians among you? The Rand Paul lovers?

What was law enforcement to do? Go to his house and kick in the door and drag him away? Give him a stern lecture?

He's an adult. His weapon was legally purchased. If they start sending all scum bags to re-education camps we're going to start paying a lot more for the police.

A lot of it ain't the gun, it's the gunman - but not a whole lot of solutions.

---

The sun's not yellow, it's chicken.