What do gun proponents think is the solution for America's gun problem and to reduce the number of mass shootings (and gun-related killings generally)?
Guns exist in the United States because we here in the US have a belief that most of the rest of the world doesn’t seem to have: self-defense is the best defense. Who is better at defending you then you? Where ever you go, there you are. You have the capability of being the first responder where ever you go. Emergency services aren't first responders, they are typically last responders. It is very likely that by the time a cop shows up whatever happened is already over.Further, we in the US believe that the defense of our own country lies in the hand of ALL the people, not just the military. That include the defense of our country against our own government if need be. Therefore, guns could be said to be part of the bedrock of the foundation of this country. You can’t get rid of the Second Amendment without abolishing all of the rest.So guns essentially can’t be removed. They are fundamental to the continued existence of this country. So how do we mitigate their negative effects?Abolish “Gun Free Zones” at least for people not carrying a CCW permit, if not for everyone.Stop scaring the shit out of everyone that has never handled a gun. Guns don’t go off by themselves generally, there is a safe way to handle them, and respecting them generally doesn’t lead to accidents. Teach people about guns, especially from an early age. If it is appropriate to teach children about masturbation in 5th grade, then I think they can handle some safe firearms handling training.Allow those that wish it, the reasonable ability to get a federally-recognized state CCW that is valid in all 50 states without question or harassment. This Fed CCW permit needs to come with the requisite permission to also transport that defensive weapon across states lines without reprisal.Stop allowing the media to lead the narrative that guns kill innocent people while completely ignoring the times when single mothers slay home invaders while their kids are asleep in the next room, or a near rape-victim puts a bullet in her attacker’s skull.De-stigmatize gun ownership and the legitimate use of firearms.These are just a few off the top of my head and is not meant to be a prioritized, all-inclusive list. Anyone is welcome to leave a comment with more ideas.
How could the Japanese justify going to war and killing people if they were Buddhist?
I have to agree with the first answer. It was a political war not fought for Buddha unlike Jihadists who fight for Allah and Christians who killed for Jesus. Also, Buddhism is not pacifistic -- they are allowed and supposed to maintain soldiers. They are not allowed to commit acts of aggression. However, if a country has to go to war, the people must fight. The Samurai were the greatest warriors and Buddhist and very very noble. Buddhism does not have a hassle with violence, only with aggression. But Japan is not officially a Buddhist state although the majority of Japanese are Buddhist. Similarly the majority of Chinese are Buddhist although China is not a Buddhist state either. Edit: I agree that between 75-85% of Japanese are Buddhist and I have confirmed this from many sources. Some also follow a combination of Shinto and Buddhism. I have lived in Japan as well and yes Buddhism is way bigger than Shinto in Japan.
What causes children to be born with autism or Asperger's?
Genetics. Some environmental factors may be involved, but genes are the main thing. Autism spectrum disorders tend to run in families, so you have an increased chance of having a child with autism. Even if you had no family history of autism, you could still have an autistic child; the chance of that would be about 1%. There's nothing you can really do to prevent autism. If this is in fact a serious question (and I sincerely hope not, because the alternative is depressing), it doesn't sound like you're ready to have children, whether they're autistic or not. If you're more concerned with how your child's behavior appears to others, or how you're going to teach the child, than the kid's well-being, you aren't ready. If you think autism is a mental disease (it's a neurological disorder), that people with autism aren't "good", or that there's something inherently wrong with having autism, I'd feel sorry for any child on the spectrum who got stuck with you as a parent.
Fort Hood and Washington Police shootings?
Fort Hood maybe, but you cant blame the police hit on him