Fifty Five years ago today

So many more gun related incidents (although "incident" seems too weak a term) those schools where young innocent lives were lost, and yet so many (Americans) think that the right to "bear arms" makes them safer!

What a world.

I too recall it. I was a little girl and at the same time my mum was in hospital for an emergency appendectomy. It all got confused in my mind, I just didn't understand what was happening.

I came home from school and Dad had the tv on - we were so shocked we just stood and watched.

And still Americans won't control guns.
It's in the Constitution, 2nd Amendment.
It was based on the English Bill of Rights of the time.

I shouldn't speak too soon but Australian police are armed yet we don't hear of any massacres there ? As are those in Malta.

I too remember that time. I was pregnant saw it on the news and ran into the local pub to tell my husband who left half his pint to come and watch the news.

The American constitution speaks of guns being held by a well-organised and controlled militia, (ready to defend the country if necessary, and not needing to be distributed in an hurry in an emergency) not by every Tom Dick and Harriet who wants to tote one, regardless of their mental state and their degree of self-control if they feel "got-at".

"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.
It is rather ambiguous - it could be interpreted as having a well regulated Militia does not mean that people should not also have the right to keep and bear Arms

A bit of light reading if anyone is interested:
www.law.cornell.edu/wex/second_amendment

I was with my boyfriend and friends listening to radio Luxenburg when they stopped all programmes after they announced the death. I went to the kitchen and told my father and we went out bowling as there was no longer any pop music to listen to.

I remember that so clearly, I was 13 and at a family wedding that day. One of my uncles slipped out to buy cigarettes and came back with the news of the assassination. I think up until then I’d associated guns with the “cowboy and Indian” games I’d played. Sadly children growing up these days are only too aware that guns are real and not pretend.

I was with my housemates, sitting by the fire, watching TV after our evening meal when the broadcast stopped and the appalling news came through. All three of us, in our early 20s, had been inspired by JFK's speeches and were horrified that such a life could be cut short when he promised so much. Some years later, in Africa, I came across a number of members of the Peace Corps which had been one of his initiatives.

I was listening to the radio in the kitchen when the news broke, i raced through the dining room into the sitting room sobbing, then it was announced on the tv. So much hope in this man and suddenly gone in seconds .

This was the first political/news item that really made an impact upon me. I was nearly twelve years old, and remember being quite shocked when President Kennedy was assassinated. He could have gone on to do great things, he had such charisma.

Jalima I also have read an account and interpretation on that constitution amendment (I've not looked at your link so don't know whether it is the same article) where the author says that pro-gun enthusiasts tend to quote some but not all of the text, and interpret by their own lights.

What's the excuse our society gives when asked why they carry knives ? To protect themselves !
If we were a gun country these knife thugs would carry guns instead. We have shootings but nowhere on the same level/scale because we are only a small country.
Now because of past police mistakes here involving " wrong shootings " it's given thugs the excuse that it could happen to them so the mentality is to keep themselves armed at all times,even against the law.

Compare those in America who've been shot against those deaths due to knife crime in this country considering the size of the States.

I believe there was no standing army at that time, but one was raised when circumstances demanded, and would be armed after they were collected together - which all took time. Meanwhile the Militia were a band of part-time trained men quite separate from our idea of an army, but recruited for their standing in the community, disciplined and "well-regulated" who could be called out if needed.

I heard it on the radio, I was aged 9 so the enormity of it didn't resonate that much when the announcement was made. My mother wasn't in the room and as she came in I casually blurted out "The President's been shot dead," she was so upset, she sat down and cried, he was such a big deal to my parents not only politically, but also because we were a catholic household. Years later when my son was a similar age to me at that time, he came into my bedroom early one Sunday morning and said "Princess Diana has been killed", I think my reaction was "no she hasn't" but nevertheless I got the urge to immediately switch on the tv, and there it was all over the news.

I recently watched the programme about the Kennedys, JFK was so cool and handsome, but oh dear so much tragedy in one family, couldn't help thinking of the Shakespearean "plague on all your houses" quote.

Wasn't he a bit strange around the ladies?

It's one event where I think most people can remember where they were and what they were doing at the time, like the Twin Towers and the news of Princess Diana's death.

I was at a Tupperware party when the news was broadcast, the hostess said "its those damn Americans again", lost for words.