US witnesses' deadliest shooting: Arms law questioned
As the whole world laments the tragic death of the students and an Indian professor in Virginia tech University killed by a 23 year old Korean, debates crop up in various sectors regarding the existing US gun laws.
Pritha Roy Choudhury
April 19 : It was a black Monday for the students of Virginia Tech University in United States. More than 32 students including professors fell to the bullets of a 23-year-old South Korean student who was studying English Literature in the same university.
Dubbed as the worst campus-shooting massacre in US history, Cho Seung-Hui was apparently disturbed and described a loner by his classmates. The incident witnessed the death of an Indian professor and an Indian student, Minal as well.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the government hoped Monday’s shootings, allegedly carried out by the South Korean native, would not "stir up racial prejudice or confrontation."
This is second such incident that has occurred in the same university. Earlier it was a student again who fired at his friends. The issue throws up some very vital questions like, security measures in the campus, reason for such incidents and most importantly, the Arms Law in the United States.
The shootings sparked off criticism of U.S. gun control laws. Editorials lashed out at the availability of weapons, and the leader of Australia, one of America’s closest allies said that America’s gun culture was costing lives.
The 2nd amendment of the constitution of US reads:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
A number of countries, which followed similar strategies, did consider amendment of their law, but United States has taken little note of the fact though, the country has faced similar attacks in the past.
According to Uday Bhaskar, Defence Analyst, these kinds of happenings in the US are not new and US in no way will amend their existing law but there is room for making the laws more stringent.
“This is not the first time that incidents of such kind have happened and sadly I do not feel that this will be the last time. However, there is room for making the laws stringent in colleges and institutions whereby the institution can debar students for carrying Arms and Ammunitions in the premises. Next, the age bar can also be increased from 18 to 25 or so. This way at least there will be some kind of control,” says Uday Bhaskar.
With the killing of Indians, criticism is pouring in from different quarters of India as well. According to Sathyamurthy, a parent and Director, Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter, stringent weapon laws should be implemented immediately.
“One thing that reflects is the mindset and the time in which we are living. It is also the moods and methods of the contemporary society in US. It is not the first incident in US in recent times. We only hope that it is the last. Every time such an incident occurs there is a heated debate in the US about the need of stringent weapon laws and ultimately it is the small arms lobby that wins. This time at least one hopes that the case is different,” says Sathyamurthy.
Another factor, he feels that calls for urgent implementation is the need for greater societal cohesion and accomplishment of family values.
“Incidents of this kind also call for a greater societal cohesion and family values which is becoming increasingly scarce in a consumerist society. In the context Asian nations like India and South Korea to which Cho belonged, the break up in the joint family system or the inability to throw up a counter dealing shock absorber of the kind may have contributed to such delinquency. What may be needed is not only better weapon law but also parenting which is increasingly becoming absent in the consumerist society.”
According to the AP news agency, Cho walked into a Virginia gun shop, put down a credit card and walked out with a Glock and a box of ammunition. He paid US$571.
In India, civilians can posses arms only if they have license and do not have any criminal background.
Australia had implemented tough gun laws after a gunman went on one of the world’s deadliest killing sprees 11 years ago and killed 35 people and 37 seriously injured.
Handguns are also banned in Britain, a prohibition that forces even the country’s Olympic pistol shooting team from practicing on its own soil.
In Sweden, civilians can acquire firearm permits only if they have a hunting license or are members of a shooting club and have no criminal record.
In Italy, people must have a valid reason for wanting one. Firearms are forbidden for private use by Chinese citizens.
Dubbed as the worst campus-shooting massacre in US history, Cho Seung-Hui was apparently disturbed and described a loner by his classmates. The incident witnessed the death of an Indian professor and an Indian student, Minal as well.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the government hoped Monday’s shootings, allegedly carried out by the South Korean native, would not "stir up racial prejudice or confrontation."
This is second such incident that has occurred in the same university. Earlier it was a student again who fired at his friends. The issue throws up some very vital questions like, security measures in the campus, reason for such incidents and most importantly, the Arms Law in the United States.
The shootings sparked off criticism of U.S. gun control laws. Editorials lashed out at the availability of weapons, and the leader of Australia, one of America’s closest allies said that America’s gun culture was costing lives.
The 2nd amendment of the constitution of US reads:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
A number of countries, which followed similar strategies, did consider amendment of their law, but United States has taken little note of the fact though, the country has faced similar attacks in the past.
According to Uday Bhaskar, Defence Analyst, these kinds of happenings in the US are not new and US in no way will amend their existing law but there is room for making the laws more stringent.
“This is not the first time that incidents of such kind have happened and sadly I do not feel that this will be the last time. However, there is room for making the laws stringent in colleges and institutions whereby the institution can debar students for carrying Arms and Ammunitions in the premises. Next, the age bar can also be increased from 18 to 25 or so. This way at least there will be some kind of control,” says Uday Bhaskar.
With the killing of Indians, criticism is pouring in from different quarters of India as well. According to Sathyamurthy, a parent and Director, Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter, stringent weapon laws should be implemented immediately.
“One thing that reflects is the mindset and the time in which we are living. It is also the moods and methods of the contemporary society in US. It is not the first incident in US in recent times. We only hope that it is the last. Every time such an incident occurs there is a heated debate in the US about the need of stringent weapon laws and ultimately it is the small arms lobby that wins. This time at least one hopes that the case is different,” says Sathyamurthy.
Another factor, he feels that calls for urgent implementation is the need for greater societal cohesion and accomplishment of family values.
“Incidents of this kind also call for a greater societal cohesion and family values which is becoming increasingly scarce in a consumerist society. In the context Asian nations like India and South Korea to which Cho belonged, the break up in the joint family system or the inability to throw up a counter dealing shock absorber of the kind may have contributed to such delinquency. What may be needed is not only better weapon law but also parenting which is increasingly becoming absent in the consumerist society.”
According to the AP news agency, Cho walked into a Virginia gun shop, put down a credit card and walked out with a Glock and a box of ammunition. He paid US$571.
In India, civilians can posses arms only if they have license and do not have any criminal background.
Australia had implemented tough gun laws after a gunman went on one of the world’s deadliest killing sprees 11 years ago and killed 35 people and 37 seriously injured.
Handguns are also banned in Britain, a prohibition that forces even the country’s Olympic pistol shooting team from practicing on its own soil.
In Sweden, civilians can acquire firearm permits only if they have a hunting license or are members of a shooting club and have no criminal record.
In Italy, people must have a valid reason for wanting one. Firearms are forbidden for private use by Chinese citizens.
posted by Miles to walk before I sleep | 3:08 AM
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