1 dead, 3 injured in MARTA train shooting (live in, safe, suburbs)

[Forhall]

Originally Posted by cqholt

This is not a MARTA issue, but a larger issue of national gun violence. This could have happened anywhere, a grocery store in East Cobb, a roadway in Gwinnett, a gas station on the Southside. The victim and suspect knew each other, it was not random homicide.

I agree on that. A local 13 year old Atlanta boy was also featured on the news for shooting himself with his new gun. A gun at 13!? The gun culture is rampant here.

I think we would see meaningful gun law changes if Democrats would play it right. They have framed it as simply taking guns away from citizens, and that let's republicans beholden to the NRA twist facts and call it unconstitutional, etc. Instead, Democrats should appeal to suburban republican voters with a campaign about how we need to restrict guns so "people living in the inner cities can't get them and come shoot you." Frame it more as a keeping guns out of the hands of the poor, inner city, gang members, etc. I'm sure then you'd find many fearful republicans signing up for it then.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by ronricks

We certainly have a gun culture problem in this country. Sadly, many people in Georgia and in the south think the answer to gun violence is 'more guns' which to me just adds to the problem. Regardless, there has been in the last year a disturbing pattern of not only gun violence but physical violence at MARTA stations. The citizens of Atlanta have the right to be able to go to their job or wherever on MARTA safely and not have to deal with stuff like this. It is simply unacceptable.

You say that without bringing up the disturbing pattern of a rise in traffic fatalities as well. I can tell you that MARTA takes safety very serious, eg: extra MARTA PD presence at all stations. There were 3 uniformed cops at Edgewood/Candler Park this morning.

[Atlanta Scientist]

Originally Posted by ronricks

We certainly have a gun culture problem in this country. Sadly, many people in Georgia and in the south think the answer to gun violence is 'more guns' which to me just adds to the problem. Regardless, there has been in the last year a disturbing pattern of not only gun violence but physical violence at MARTA stations. The citizens of Atlanta have the right to be able to go to their job or wherever on MARTA safely and not have to deal with stuff like this. It is simply unacceptable.

The situations on MARTA are manifestation of a much larger problem. Malls, schools, and clubs get shot up and people are killed. People get carjacked and their throats slit paying for parking. We can make this about MARTA or we can ask ourselves how we can prevent situations happening on or at any venue. We will make this about how unsafe MARTA is because that is an easy problem to be solved:Avoid it and don't expand it.

It requires much deeper thinking and a greater sense of compassion to make this about people and not a transit system.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by cqholt

You say that without bringing up the disturbing pattern of a rise in traffic fatalities as well. I can tell you that MARTA takes safety very serious, eg: extra MARTA PD presence at all stations. There were 3 uniformed cops at Edgewood/Candler Park this morning.

A traffic fatality is in no way even a remotely close example. It isn't even in the same universe. I should not have to worry about being stabbed or shot when using public transit. It is absolutely unacceptable and citizens should not have to worry about such. Women should not have to worry about being raped or assaulted. The gun culture is only part of the problem.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by Columbia Scientist

The situations on MARTA are manifestation of a much larger problem. Malls, schools, and clubs get shot up and people are killed. People get carjacked and their throats slit paying for parking. We can make this about MARTA or we can ask ourselves how we can prevent situations happening on or at any venue. We will make this about how unsafe MARTA is because that is an easy problem to be solved:Avoid it and don't expand it.

It requires much deeper thinking and a greater sense of compassion to make this about people and not a transit system.

I am making it about people. You must have me confused with the posters who are using 'car accidents' to excuse murders which is one of the most vile and ridiculous comparisons. If you look back one calendar year there is becoming a disturbing pattern of shootings and stabbings at MARTA stations. That is the issue here. Someone lost their life and we have people saying "Well it would also happen in a car!!!!" but it DIDN'T happen in a car.

[chiatldal]

Originally Posted by ronricks

tell that to the family that lost someone today because of a murder at a MARTA station. They aren't going to agree with you. You are essentially saying murders at a MARTA station don't matter because it is 'safe'. Well recent history tells us MARTA is far from safe. This is becoming a disturbing trend within the last year.

That's not what posters are saying

Posters are saying it's safer than driving

Your trying to exaggerate how un safe MARTA is...... fine............... but each time you do it.. it's still much safer than driving.

[SAAN]

Originally Posted by ronricks

I am making it about people. You must have me confused with the posters who are using 'car accidents' to excuse murders which is one of the most vile and ridiculous comparisons. If you look back one calendar year there is becoming a disturbing pattern of shootings and stabbings at MARTA stations. That is the issue here. Someone lost their life and we have people saying "Well it would also happen in a car!!!!" but it DIDN'T happen in a car.

What is being compared is that you stand a much greater chance of being seriously injured or possibly killed on metro atlanta expressways due to distracted and straight ignorant and dangerous drivers than you do being killed by some thug on Marta.. Many claim atleast they are in full control of their car, but wont admit you arent in control of the next car driver texting, going 80 in the rain, or big rigs tailgating and slamming into you.

Marta is waaaaay more peaceful now than it was before now that they are cracking down on lude behavior.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Forhall

I agree on that. A local 13 year old Atlanta boy was also featured on the news for shooting himself with his new gun. A gun at 13!? The gun culture is rampant here.

I think we would see meaningful gun law changes if Democrats would play it right. They have framed it as simply taking guns away from citizens, and that let's republicans beholden to the NRA twist facts and call it unconstitutional, etc. Instead, Democrats should appeal to suburban republican voters with a campaign about how we need to restrict guns so "people living in the inner cities can't get them and come shoot you." Frame it more as a keeping guns out of the hands of the poor, inner city, gang members, etc. I'm sure then you'd find many fearful republicans signing up for it then.

"If you make guns illegal, then only criminals will have guns." You clearly don't understand the concerns and mindset.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by chiatldal

That's not what posters are saying

Posters are saying it's safer than driving

Your trying to exaggerate how un safe MARTA is...... fine............... but each time you do it.. it's still much safer than driving.

'Driving' is not a comparison to someone who was targeted and killed. Telling me "it is more safe" is absolutely trying to downplay it and act like the recent murders don't matter. It is a sick thought process to have.

[green_mariner]

What happened on MARTA is not a gun culture problem. It's a ghetto culture problem. It's a "do it my way or you're dead" kind of mentality.