Comments on: The seven myths of mass murder http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/ Academic insights for the thinking world. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:01:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Steph Pee http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-434402 Steph Pee Wed, 29 May 2013 16:10:44 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-434402 I highly appreciate your thought. But as far as I know individuals with schizoid personality disorder will even feel anxious and fearful about people, which is why he chooses to be alone, or that isolation makes him sad sometimes. This does not mean he wants to cultivate meaningful relationships; just that he would like to be around people occasionally. I highly appreciate your thought. But as far as I know individuals with schizoid personality disorder will even feel anxious and fearful about people, which is why he chooses to be alone, or that isolation makes him sad sometimes. This does not mean he wants to cultivate meaningful relationships; just that he would like to be around people occasionally.

]]> By: beelzebubjones http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-336250 beelzebubjones Sat, 05 Jan 2013 23:09:26 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-336250 very interesting and thought provoking article. i'm not sure your inclusion of schizoid personality disorder as part of these people's profiles is correct however. people with schizoid personality disorder tend to be happy people with few anger issues. they are anti-social insomuch as they prefer to be alone but it isn't because they despise the rest of humanity but because they are indifferent. people with schizoid personality disorder prefer not interacting with others and regardless of how gruesome; slaying others is interaction and more unlikely for schizoids interactions initiated by the perpetrator. very interesting and thought provoking article. i’m not sure your inclusion of schizoid personality disorder as part of these people’s profiles is correct however. people with schizoid personality disorder tend to be happy people with few anger issues. they are anti-social insomuch as they prefer to be alone but it isn’t because they despise the rest of humanity but because they are indifferent. people with schizoid personality disorder prefer not interacting with others and regardless of how gruesome; slaying others is interaction and more unlikely for schizoids interactions initiated by the perpetrator.

]]> By: Firehand http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-326799 Firehand Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:38:39 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-326799 " Also a federal data base for all people taking medication associated with mental health must be set up and those taking medication forbidden from legally purchasing weapons. " ALL people taking ANY medication for ANY mental-health reason? Someone's going through a period of depression, and therefore one of their basic rights should be trashed(probably permanently)? I don't think so. Also, who sets up the standards? That's an open door to abuse. And no, in large part I do NOT trust the .gov to do such a thing fairly and honestly; too many people would see that as a way to restrict arms ownership as much as possible for as many as possible. You've just noted that Greece, with very strict firearms ownership laws, has basically done nothing but disarm the honest people while the bad guys get illegal weapons and use them illegally; that's not exactly selling the 'stricter laws are required' idea. ” Also a federal data base for all people taking medication associated with mental health must be set up and those taking medication forbidden from legally purchasing weapons. ”
ALL people taking ANY medication for ANY mental-health reason? Someone’s going through a period of depression, and therefore one of their basic rights should be trashed(probably permanently)? I don’t think so.

Also, who sets up the standards? That’s an open door to abuse. And no, in large part I do NOT trust the .gov to do such a thing fairly and honestly; too many people would see that as a way to restrict arms ownership as much as possible for as many as possible.

You’ve just noted that Greece, with very strict firearms ownership laws, has basically done nothing but disarm the honest people while the bad guys get illegal weapons and use them illegally; that’s not exactly selling the ‘stricter laws are required’ idea.

]]> By: PBB http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-326408 PBB Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:17:59 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-326408 I think combining all incidents of a perp killing 3 or more people is way, way too broad. I want to see an analysis of the true mass murders like Aurora, Columbine, Newtown, etc. Defining mass murder as three or more might muddy up the issue by including a lot of family murder suicides, etc., which could very well have completely different etiology. I think combining all incidents of a perp killing 3 or more people is way, way too broad. I want to see an analysis of the true mass murders like Aurora, Columbine, Newtown, etc. Defining mass murder as three or more might muddy up the issue by including a lot of family murder suicides, etc., which could very well have completely different etiology.

]]> By: beatrice singer http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-326313 beatrice singer Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:40:57 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-326313 It is difficult to figure out who will commit mass murder/ The Nazis committed mass murder for five year only because they could. They should have been stopped in their tracks immediately. How did the world allow such atrocities. By the time help came it was 50 million people later. I am not comparing the tragedy that just happened, but if the surviving children could be shown that there are bad people who do terrible things, perhaps it will help them to understand that these things are part of life, and they are fortunate to survive and be with their loving families. It is difficult to figure out who will commit mass murder/ The Nazis committed mass murder for five year only because they could. They should have been stopped in their tracks immediately. How did the world allow such atrocities. By the time help came it was 50 million people later. I am not comparing the tragedy that just happened, but if the surviving children could be shown that there are bad people who do terrible things, perhaps it will help them to understand that these things are part of life, and they are fortunate to survive and be with their loving families.

]]> By: Chris Parnos http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-325788 Chris Parnos Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:16:59 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-325788 I have lived with weapons for quite a few years of my life. There are a few issues here albeit I agree with you I also agree with the other school of thought. First the U.S. has about 270,000,000.00 legal weapons registered. There are many more that are illegal and in the hands of criminals and psychos. It is not possible to take weapons away from people that have them legally, unless the constitution is changed. Nevertheless, my feeling is that yes stricter laws are required but the issue of mental health must be addressed. Instead of filling prisons with the mentally ill, more monies and care need to be allocated to their help. Also a federal data base for all people taking medication associated with mental health must be set up and those taking medication forbidden from legally purchasing weapons. This is a two pronged approach to the issue. It becomes the burden of proof of mental competency for government and citizen. Over here in Greece it is almost impossible to own a weapon except a shotgun for hunting and very few can have a handgun. Rifles are totally illegal. Our problem here is that the government doesn’t have the money to field a larger police force and criminals rob banks, stores, homes and anything else using fully automatic AK-47s! We are outgunned by criminals. It’s the total opposite of what is happening to the U.S. Slowly we are approaching the same problem from the opposite side. Which ever way you look at it weapons will always exist. It only takes money to acquire them. Mental health can change from one day to the next. Even a police officer that is sound of body and mind today can have issues that will eventually lead to a crime. Mental health control is the key along with gun control. Either one alone will do nothing. I have lived with weapons for quite a few years of my life. There are a few issues here albeit I agree with you I also agree with the other school of thought. First the U.S. has about 270,000,000.00 legal weapons registered. There are many more that are illegal and in the hands of criminals and psychos. It is not possible to take weapons away from people that have them legally, unless the constitution is changed. Nevertheless, my feeling is that yes stricter laws are required but the issue of mental health must be addressed. Instead of filling prisons with the mentally ill, more monies and care need to be allocated to their help. Also a federal data base for all people taking medication associated with mental health must be set up and those taking medication forbidden from legally purchasing weapons. This is a two pronged approach to the issue. It becomes the burden of proof of mental competency for government and citizen.

Over here in Greece it is almost impossible to own a weapon except a shotgun for hunting and very few can have a handgun. Rifles are totally illegal. Our problem here is that the government doesn’t have the money to field a larger police force and criminals rob banks, stores, homes and anything else using fully automatic AK-47s! We are outgunned by criminals. It’s the total opposite of what is happening to the U.S. Slowly we are approaching the same problem from the opposite side.

Which ever way you look at it weapons will always exist. It only takes money to acquire them. Mental health can change from one day to the next. Even a police officer that is sound of body and mind today can have issues that will eventually lead to a crime. Mental health control is the key along with gun control. Either one alone will do nothing.

]]> By: Firehand http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-325578 Firehand Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:19:52 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-325578 It would've been better if the Yorkshire Ripper hadn't had a hammer on multiple days. It would've been better if McVeigh hadn't been able to buy fertilizer. It would've, it would've... except it wouldn't have. Saying "They'd have found a way" may sound trite, but it's true. Britain is an island, handguns banned, rifles & shotguns highly restricted, they're at the point that self-defense in your own home against an attacker can put YOU in prison, and their crime rate involving firearms just keeps going up: "The statistic will fuel fears that the police are struggling to contain gang-related violence, in which the carrying of a firearm has become increasingly common place."* Suppose Harris & Klebold hadn't been able to get guns, and had concentrated on getting their bombs right? Or think what the vile being who committed this horror might've done with a couple of cans of gasoline and some matches. The 'you must demonstrate competence in handling the firearm' and 'prove mental stability' sounds good; the concerns are A lot of police chiefs and sheriffs would treat that the same way they treated 'may-issue' carry permits: make the tests as difficult and expensive as possible. And the can of worms opened up with 'mental stability' tests is kind of horrifying with what could be done with it. Not to mention the idea of opening everyone's medical records up to LE; the potential for abuse is nasty. Simple fact is, people don't trust such not to be used as clubs on people. With reason, considering history. *http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223193/Culture-violence-Gun-crime-goes-89-decade.html It would’ve been better if the Yorkshire Ripper hadn’t had a hammer on multiple days.
It would’ve been better if McVeigh hadn’t been able to buy fertilizer.
It would’ve, it would’ve… except it wouldn’t have. Saying “They’d have found a way” may sound trite, but it’s true. Britain is an island, handguns banned, rifles & shotguns highly restricted, they’re at the point that self-defense in your own home against an attacker can put YOU in prison, and their crime rate involving firearms just keeps going up:
“The statistic will fuel fears that the police are struggling to contain gang-related violence, in which the carrying of a firearm has become increasingly common place.”*

Suppose Harris & Klebold hadn’t been able to get guns, and had concentrated on getting their bombs right? Or think what the vile being who committed this horror might’ve done with a couple of cans of gasoline and some matches.

The ‘you must demonstrate competence in handling the firearm’ and ‘prove mental stability’ sounds good; the concerns are
A lot of police chiefs and sheriffs would treat that the same way they treated ‘may-issue’ carry permits: make the tests as difficult and expensive as possible.
And the can of worms opened up with ‘mental stability’ tests is kind of horrifying with what could be done with it. Not to mention the idea of opening everyone’s medical records up to LE; the potential for abuse is nasty.
Simple fact is, people don’t trust such not to be used as clubs on people. With reason, considering history.

*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223193/Culture-violence-Gun-crime-goes-89-decade.html

]]> By: Andy Wise http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-325296 Andy Wise Sun, 16 Dec 2012 00:27:17 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-325296 " The most lethal school mass murder in US history was in Bath, Michigan, in 1927, a bombing that resulted in 45 deaths, mostly children in the second to sixth grades." I wouldn't necessarily agree that I would have preferred them not to have had a gun on those days. If they didn't have guns they may have decided explosives were the way to go and have emulated the bombing in 1927. ” The most lethal school mass murder in US history was in Bath, Michigan, in 1927, a bombing that resulted in 45 deaths, mostly children in the second to sixth grades.”

I wouldn’t necessarily agree that I would have preferred them not to have had a gun on those days. If they didn’t have guns they may have decided explosives were the way to go and have emulated the bombing in 1927.

]]> By: Michael Brady http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-298160 Michael Brady Sun, 07 Oct 2012 20:59:53 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-298160 Mr. Mulne Perhaps we could agree that it would have been better for all concerned if Cho, Laughner, Holmes, Page, and Engeldinger had not possessed firearms on the day of their attacks? I agree that accomplishing such a goal presents significant, if not insurmountable, challenges but declaring the topic a non-starter may prove to be short-sighted. Mr. Mulne

Perhaps we could agree that it would have been better for all concerned if Cho, Laughner, Holmes, Page, and Engeldinger had not possessed firearms on the day of their attacks?

I agree that accomplishing such a goal presents significant, if not insurmountable, challenges but declaring the topic a non-starter may prove to be short-sighted.

]]> By: Stu Mulne http://blog.oup.com/2012/09/seven-myths-of-mass-murder/#comment-296505 Stu Mulne Sat, 29 Sep 2012 08:41:23 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=29197#comment-296505 >>As a gun owner myself, and a believer in the Second Amendment, I find it appalling that virtually anyone can purchase a firearm with little effort, money, or time in the US. I believe that firearms ownership is a right that should have requirements: demonstrable competency in its use and mental stability. << Doing fine until I got to #4.... The shrinks who'd make this determination have already drunk the Kool-Aid, and would never approve anybody. Call it Myth #8, and that kills the credibility of the entire article for those of us in the firearms-owning community. Good old "easy availability of guns" canard.... (Otherwise, I agree with Meloy....) >>As a gun owner myself, and a believer in the Second Amendment, I find it appalling that virtually anyone can purchase a firearm with little effort, money, or time in the US. I believe that firearms ownership is a right that should have requirements: demonstrable competency in its use and mental stability. <<

Doing fine until I got to #4…. The shrinks who'd make this determination have already drunk the Kool-Aid, and would never approve anybody. Call it Myth #8, and that kills the credibility of the entire article for those of us in the firearms-owning community. Good old "easy availability of guns" canard….

(Otherwise, I agree with Meloy….)

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