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Posted on 2nd May 2014 |
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Whilst I have the deepest sympathy for the father (and indeed all the family and friends) of the dead boy, quoted in this story, his statement beggars belief. Diren Dede, 17, of Hamburg, was shot dead in Montana by Markus Kaarma, while Diren was trespassing in Markus' garage late at night. Diren's father, Celal Dede, said that he would not have allowed his son to study in the US had he been aware of the lenient gun laws. How can anyone be unaware, in this day and age, of the lenient gun laws in the USA? Hasn't he heard of Columbine, and all the other shooting incidents at schools and other locations? Hasn't he seen or heard any news about the various attempts (mostly failed) at federal, state and city level to control gun ownership? Is he really not aware of the power of the NRA as a political lobby? I don't feel that the fact that Diren's parents are immigrants to Germany from Turkey is any excuse. Maybe if they had instead come from Apha Centauri that would explain how they had missed the decades of gun problems and political battles in the USA relating to guns and their licensing and control. The other thing that I find bizarre is the suggestion that the father would have forbidden his son from going to the USA if he had known. Really? The son was 17 years old; almost old enough to vote and buy alcohol! Hasn't he heard that there are three ways to get something done:
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