guns and bobby

i was pretty disturbed about this entire Virginia tech massacre...when i left for Lahore last Saturday...i was still thinking about it...and spent my time on the aircraft mulling over articles on 'The Economist' edition on 'America's tragedy'.

The article discussed the assault-weapon ban which President Bill Clinton approved in 1994 (covering semi-automatic rifles plus high capacity magazines for handguns). The year before, the Democrats passed a bill imposing a requirement for background check. 'But the democrats believe they paid a high price for their courage: losing the House of Representatives in 1994 and the presidency in 2000. Bush has caused it to be much worse- he's let the assault weapon ban lapse.

The interesting thing the article pointed out, though, was that Americans are increasingly becoming more uncomfortable about gun possession, although they don't support a complete ban on weapons as there are too many weapons are out there already, and most of the public feel the need to own one to defend themselves.

I think strict gun-controls are a must. It would, at least, restrict access of young children/adults to guns.

I also watched Bobby on Krisworld. And the movie certainly struck a chord with me on the topic of my last entry. My favourite quote from the movie, and from his speech at the California Primaries...the last speech...before his assasination..

' Some look for scapegoats, others look for conspiracies, but this much is clear: violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our souls.'
-Robert F Kennedy, Speech in Ohio, 05 April 1968