From: masuda@fcs280b.ncifcrf.gov (Michiaki Masuda)
Subject: Re: A Japanese student killed in Lousiana
Organization: Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 02:33:08 GMT

In article <Bx7C4G.2Hx@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu> amirza@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (Anmar Caves) writes:
>In article <Bx6rqE.LF6@ncifcrf.gov> masuda@fcs280b.ncifcrf.gov (Michiaki Masuda) writes:

>>   Even if it's true that the number is not large, those cases are still a
>>tragedy. If there's a way to decrease the number, wouldn't it be
>>reasonable to go for it?

>Not if it means giving up my right to protect myself from criminals,
>or a tyrannical govt.

  Does it mean, "Not if I have to give up my weapon"? If you are found
to be skillful enough to handle the weapon properly, you wouldn't have to
give it up. However, if it turns out that you cannot use it appropriately,
and you still stick to your weapon, that could be an invasion of other
people's right.

>  Many gun owners I know practice responsible gun
>handling, and among those that do have damn few accidents.

  Surprising. Even those who have a good skill and knowledge could cause
accidents. Imagine those who do not.

>  A class,
>especially a forced class, will not teach respect and caution.  That
>has to come from within.  Once a person has the willingness to learn,
>then you can teach them respect and caution.

   A class will teach respect and caution at least to those who have a
sensitivity to those lessons. Or are there no Americans who have that
kind of moral receptor?

   "Karate" can kill people. There was a graduate student in my friend's
lab. The guy was a good karate practician -- I mean, VERY good. He
has never drunk alcohol even at a party or other socializing occasions.
My friend once asked him why he didn't drink. He answered, "I could kill
someone with this (showing his fist) if I'm drunk and I cannot control
its power." Yes, I agree that a spontaneous inner motivation towards respect
and caution is important.

>  There is one way to
>decrease those numbers.  Make the penalties for irresponsible use
>fairly high, and *enforce* them.  Don't punish someone beforehand.

  I don't think that there are so many people who are feeling that the
examination for a driver's license is a punishment.

>Personally, I don't know (and I suspect you don't either) enough
>circumstances of the case to make a call one way or another.  I do
>know one thing though.  If I approach a house, and the resident seems
>unfriendly, I respect that and *leave* their premises, quickly.

   Please consider the background of this incident before concluding that
it was the victim's fault. The person who was shot to death was a Japanese
high school student, and it is said that he might not have understood the
word, "freeze" and might took it as "please."
Some newscast also reported that he might not have realized that the shooter
was aiming at him with a real gun, which, in my opinion, may not be an
exceptional thought of a Japanese.
   Of course, you could say, "Do in America, as Amerians do." Then,
someone should have told him what the American way really is. He was
said to be attending the exchange student program to learn English and
American culture. Obviously, he learned it, but in a more tragedic way
than he had been expecting.

Michiaki Masuda
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan