What can our society do that will actually address some of the causes of the current violent trend? Let's have a non-polarizing discussion.

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 01:39:30 -0400

Can we have a non-polarizing discussion about violence and terrorism that does not include banning weapons and will actually address some of the causes of the current violent trend? I will include a proposal in the comments.

TSgt Hunter Logan SFC Mark Merino SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" @spc andrew griffin @ltc jerry hallman @msg michael davis SGT Private RallyPoint Member SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 18 at 2016 1:40 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 01:40:43 -0400

My starting proposal:
1. Engage the churches and other places of worship to help bring the message back to morality and human values instead of preaching about tithing so the preacher can get more in offerings.
2. Realize many will not be reached by churches because they are of different belief systems, and engage all people in high school / college/ public service announcements, about moral choices and the value of human life.
3. Enable a notification, due process, and appeal process for those placed on terror watch lists and integrate the list into the background check system. This will ensure rights are protected and enhance the functionality of our current background check system.
4. Honestly and blindly enforce current gun laws.
5. Begin a program of advanced firearms training for willing concealed carry holders that will allow them to carry in gun free zones. This training will include:
A. Target selection under stress
B. Target Prioritization under stress
C. Fighting to cover a retreat
D. Annual renewal to keep up to date with the most current info.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 1:45 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 01:45:25 -0400

I think we are establishing a pattern now with these attacks, typically the strikes happen at night during Ramadan. The attacks have been more shooting and less bomb strikes due to knowledge base. I think increasing security in the public and in training will help curb this issue. I like the quote carry a big stick but swing it softy. I think a proper show of force will deter these attacks. Everyday places people just need to stay vigilant. Policy wise we need to work together with the rest of the world and first off cut communication from ISIL the ability to post on social media and recruit new fighters is incredibly easy. We can not give them that ability. Taking down communication and haulting supply runs will force the main body to slowly die as the connection between tier 1 and tier 3 dies.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 1:49 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 01:49:49 -0400

Never happen to much passion on either side of the discussion.

Response by SFC Douglas Davis made Jun 18 at 2016 8:10 AM

SFC Douglas Davis — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 08:10:39 -0400

I paid for both my wife and daughter to receive training basic at first then six months of intense weekly shooting. We then had them go through the advance and expert courses it cost us a bit of money. But they are both well trained and both carry concealed. I open carry though I have my permit. I provide a visable threat so the shooter would be distracted. I still feel safe in knowing that multiple rounds are headed their way.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 8:36 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 08:36:40 -0400

Vicitims should have more rights than criminals.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 8:53 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 08:53:29 -0400

We need to learn to honestly view the other's viewpoint. Everything to day becomes an us versus them conflict. Us is all right and them is all wrong. Us is good them is bad. Us is smart them is stupid. etc etc.

I suggest that at least once a week you take the time to study the other side and make an honest effort to argue their side.

You may be surprised at what you can learn.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Jun 18 at 2016 10:12 AM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 10:12:21 -0400

Since CAPT (Anonymous) has blocked me from responding to his posts, I'll respond to it here. He states, "Some weapons should be banned. Weapons of war. Weapons of war have no place in my neighborhood where my kids are. Eugene Stoner designed the AR-15 as a weapon of war, go look it up."

People who talk like that usually look at the 2nd Amendment and focus on the militia clause, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," and from there argue that firearms access is only protected for militias and subject to heavy regulation. Of course, it's the right of the people to keep and bear arms that shall not be infringed, not the state's right to have a militia, and we can go back and forth on what a militia actually is and what "well regulated" actually means, but the point is this: Militia style weapons are protected.

This actually has already been established by the Supreme Court in United States vs. Miller. It was determined that shotguns with barrel lengths of less than 18" could be taxed and treated differently specifically because their use did not have militia applications. They were wrong about that, but the implication of the ruling is that if a weapon has a legitimate militia usage, it is protected. The AR-15 is exactly such a weapon.

So we're back to that pesky 2nd Amendment. To people who feel the way CAPT (Anonymous) does, I recommend trying to change the Constitution. There's an Amendment process built into it for exactly this purpose.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Jun 18 at 2016 11:41 AM

SFC Jerry Humphries — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 11:41:20 -0400

You cannot have a non polorizing with people who wish to push an agenda instead of fixing the issue. The left wants to attack the Constitution, gun owners and fundamentally change the United States. They are using the terrorism of the Islamist to their advantage. The people who can't see this don't care, have their heads in the sand or just plain by hate America.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 18 at 2016 12:43 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 12:43:24 -0400

Probably not, because we tend to disagree about even the facts.
Fact disagreements:
1: Crime is not rising, it is plateaued after falling.
2: Mass-shooting events are varying around a norm that appears to not be rising or if it is, rising nearly imperceptibly.
3: If controlled for major urban centers violent crimes especially shootings are drastically low.
4: More people are killed each year by fists and blunt objects than by rifles of any kind.
5. Criminals can get their hands on any kind of weapons, and will if they choose to regardless of laws.
6: The purpose of an armed citizenry is defense against tyranny and that benefit is worth the costs we are currently observing.
7: Armed citizenry Is generally as or more trustworthy than police and military members in bearing their arms.

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Did I miss one of the facts in dispute?

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 18 at 2016 6:28 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:28:44 -0400

The answer to your question is no. These discussions always turn into a gun discussion. Our problems run much deeper than the 2nd Amendment.
However, due to our personal liberties, sadly we must face these terrible incidents. As long as we have our freedom, there will be those that abuse it to their own ends. So, we face the conundrum of either having a free society for all, and live with the consequences, or take steps to deny such freedoms to some citizens, living with those consequences.
The price of freedom, to gain is atrocious, to preserve is atrocious, and to live with is atrocious.
But the price must be paid.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 11:24 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 23:24:12 -0400

Crimes of passion will always be around. Hate will always be around. Hate can come in any froms....not just hate from bigotry. Hate for a system that favors one over another. Or hatred for a governmental system that supports the lazy and not the hard working...or simply the perception of it. Inclusivity or closer knit community ties will not prevent hatred...unless it can be applied universally and in all situations with not gaps

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 19 at 2016 12:13 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:13:49 -0400

First of all FIND HE CORE OF THE PROBLEM! Second - a gun is do different than a wrench, hammer, shovel, car, etc - it's just a thing. The human element needs to be introduced to make it function, good or bad. Here is my long version, will not rewrite: https://beslagsmed.wordpress.com

Thoughts of a Crazy Old Man

How I see life!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 19 at 2016 12:20 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:20:34 -0400

That's a helluva challenge for an old man who's winding up his day. One thing? Just one... Consistently hold people responsible for themselves and their behavior.

Response by SPC Dee Bartlett made Jun 19 at 2016 12:28 AM

SPC Dee Bartlett — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:28:30 -0400

I would love to hear a proposal. I thinking narrowing solutions down to the"causes of the current violent trend" is oversimplifying the question, so I guess I'd love to hear some of your ideas of the causes and see where we end up.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jun 19 at 2016 1:18 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:18:01 -0400

We somehow force the jurists making law from the bench cease and desist. We place the responsibility for rearing our children on the backs of those who bore them. You eliminate social welfare. Historically we were better off as a nation BEFORE welfare than since. If you allow you child to become a spoiled, irresponsible social misfit, we will put you in jail right next to the child allowed to become a thug.

We have now several generations of babies having babies...and doing so just for the money. We must make it less profitable for young people to bring children into the world. Actions have consequences. You screw up, you go to jail. None of this time off for good behavior crap either. You must serve at least 80% of the sentence to be eligible for parole. Screw up on parole, you get to finish the whole sentence.

Political correctness must be eliminated.

Enough for now...

Response by SSG Robert White made Jun 19 at 2016 2:28 AM

SSG Robert White — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 02:28:48 -0400

What we need is a non-polarizing discussion. Unfortunately, there are few people here that can do that.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Jun 19 at 2016 4:00 AM

MSgt John McGowan — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 04:00:46 -0400

SSG It has to start at the top. We see our government officals lie, cheat and steal so we figure why not. I believe we see our leaders do it all the time.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 19 at 2016 5:24 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 17:24:27 -0400

The perpetrators are terrorists and nerds. They are the ones causing trouble.

Response by SGT James Hammons made Jun 21 at 2016 10:35 AM

SGT James Hammons — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:35:46 -0400

Have a President that Unites and not Divides. This is the first time in US History that we have had a very Anti American President. Time for Change.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 12:55 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:55:40 -0400

Find way to incentivize marriage and decrease the rate of single-parenthood.