Mass shooting at Charles University in Prague. ~
How could this happen? Doesn’t the Czech Republic have gun laws?
And why would a mass shooting be possible outside of the US?
And why would a mass shooting be possible outside of the US?
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ArishMell · 70-79, M
How and why this one could have happened, we've yet to know. Each case is individual.
Such incidents though are extremely rare outside the USA; excepting terrorist outrages that have clear and often openly stated, political or religious motives.
They have even happened in the UK, where guns are difficult to obtain and only a very small proportion of the population own any sort of licensed firearm, and then for definite agricultural or sporting purposes. There have been about 4 in 40+ years. (So a relatively high number, but even "only" one, is one too many, of course.) Tragically, the worst was the attack on Dunblane Primary School: 13 children and a staff member were killed.
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Today is an awful [i]terrorist[/i] anniversary: 35 years after the airliner en route from London to New York was blown up over Lockerbie, killing all on board and 12 on the ground.
Dr. Jim Swire, whose daughter was one those killed, has been quietly trying to get at the truth over the years, and interviewed on BBC Radio Four today explained he thinks the British Government officially let Libya be the scapegoat, to suit the USA.
Accusing the UK for "not having the guts" (his words) to stand up to Washington, he thinks the attack was Iranian, in revenge for the US mistakenly shooting down an Iranian airliner some years previously. Quite a few leading politicians of the time supported him, but he is honest enough to admit it may be many years yet before anyone really knows publicly.
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So-called "mass shootings" are different though, and when the murderer is killed or commits suicide at the time, his (usually his) motive will never be known unless he has left clear statements of intent.
Such incidents though are extremely rare outside the USA; excepting terrorist outrages that have clear and often openly stated, political or religious motives.
They have even happened in the UK, where guns are difficult to obtain and only a very small proportion of the population own any sort of licensed firearm, and then for definite agricultural or sporting purposes. There have been about 4 in 40+ years. (So a relatively high number, but even "only" one, is one too many, of course.) Tragically, the worst was the attack on Dunblane Primary School: 13 children and a staff member were killed.
++++++
Today is an awful [i]terrorist[/i] anniversary: 35 years after the airliner en route from London to New York was blown up over Lockerbie, killing all on board and 12 on the ground.
Dr. Jim Swire, whose daughter was one those killed, has been quietly trying to get at the truth over the years, and interviewed on BBC Radio Four today explained he thinks the British Government officially let Libya be the scapegoat, to suit the USA.
Accusing the UK for "not having the guts" (his words) to stand up to Washington, he thinks the attack was Iranian, in revenge for the US mistakenly shooting down an Iranian airliner some years previously. Quite a few leading politicians of the time supported him, but he is honest enough to admit it may be many years yet before anyone really knows publicly.
++++
So-called "mass shootings" are different though, and when the murderer is killed or commits suicide at the time, his (usually his) motive will never be known unless he has left clear statements of intent.