The Home Office in the UK has produced some fascinating statistics about murder rates and population which show that the murder rate per 1000 population nose dived in the 1700's when people stopped wearing weapons as a matter of course. Less and better controlled weapons means less murders, case proven.
The tragic events in Tucson have shown what happens when guns are easily available. Before anyone from the USA starts telling me it's their constitutional right to 'bear arms' here is the full text of the 2nd Amendment:
"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."
This is the only mention of 'arms' in the USA Constitution and it clearly has nothing to do with individuals having the right to walk around with guns; it is specifically about the right to defend the State (not the individual) in the context of a "well regulated Militia".
Until this is acknowledged and acted on events like those in Tucson, Columbine etc will continue to happen. In the mean time the heart of God bleeds for those hurt and for a little girl born on September 11th 2001 - a true symbol of hope.
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Poignant cartoon in The Times newspaper today suggesting that the current culture of political hatred and violent language in the USA is sadly breeding this kind of violent action.
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