There is a shooting in Cumbia going on now

[hans kraay fan club]

Rugby League player, amongst victims:

Tributes are paid to Workington player Garry Purdham

Purdham was called "a gentleman and a real pleasure to know"
Tributes have been paid to Workington back-row forward Garry Purdham, who was one of 12 people shot dead by gunman Derrick Bird in Cumbria on Wednesday.

Purdham's brother Rob is captain of Super League side Harlequins and a full England international.

A statement from chairman Dave Bowden on Workington's website said everyone at the Championship One club was "shocked and devastated" by the news.

"Garry was quite simply a gentleman and a real pleasure to know," said Bowden.

"He was as honest and industrious on the pitch as he was off it. He would think nothing of doing a stint on the farm before turning up to play.

The thoughts of the entire RL community are with everyone in west Cumbria. A true hot-bed of the game. Condolences to the Purdham family

"He had a wonderful, calm and mature temperament coupled with a dry sense of humour and as a result was one of those players that his team mates looked up to.

"He had the respect of the whole rugby league community in West Cumbria, and will be missed by all involved in it.

"Our thoughts are very much with all Garry's family at this very sad time."

Meanwhile, Harlequins have sent their "deepest sympathy and condolences".

Chairman David Hughes said: "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Purdham family at this terrible time, and all those affected by yesterday's tragic events in Cumbria."

Bird, 52, went on a three-hour shooting spree before turning the gun on himself.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Twin Brother
Solicitor
Colleague

First and then went on to shoot random strangers.

 

[The Spanish]

There is another question here. Most people are capable of going head mental, given the right circumstances.
Why was a Taxi driver allowed to have a shotgun license and a rifle license. What on earth was the reason for the rifle license, which apparently had a scope.

why is it so astounding that a taxi driver might have a shotgun or a rifle? there might be an argument for saying only farmers and posh people in tweed can own them, but to be amazed or query that someone who isnt might own one is a bit strange.

its mental all the stuff that has been asked, like this, over the last day. What was he doing with a SHOTGUN? same as f***ing hundreds of thousands of other people. how you identify who is going to go on a killing spree, or whether anyone should own firearms full stop, are other questions, and more sensible ones.

 

[bhaexpress]

why is it so astounding that a taxi driver might have a shotgun or a rifle? there might be an argument for saying only farmers and posh people in tweed can own them, but to be amazed or query that someone who isnt might own one is a bit strange.

its mental all the stuff that has been asked, like this, over the last day. What was he doing with a SHOTGUN? same as f***ing hundreds of thousands of other people. how you identify who is going to go on a killing spree, or whether anyone should own firearms full stop, are other questions, and more sensible ones.

Three of my relatives own shotguns, they use them purely for shooting clays. As Spanish says you can never tell who is going to lose the plot. If the guy had not used a shotgun he could have used an axe, a knife or his car or quite a few other things.

 

[surrey jim]

They must have known about him before. The police were quick to release name and a photo -

 

[Man of Harveys]

If the guy had not used a shotgun he could have used an axe, a knife or his car or quite a few other things.

Don't agree with that Frank tbh. I prefer Eddie Izzard's takes on matters: "Yes, guns don't kill people, people kill people. And monkeys do too, if they have a gun."

 

[Da Man Clay]

They must have known about him before. The police were quick to release name and a photo -

When you've got about 15 witness in a small town who knew exactly who it is it's not too difficult to release a name and a photo. Didn't it take about two hours from the first shooting to send out a name and photo anyway?

 

[The Spanish]

Don't agree with that Frank tbh. I prefer Eddie Izzard's takes on matters: "Yes, guns don't kill people, people kill people. And monkeys do too, if they have a gun."

fair point but there have been quite a few knife nutter rampages in this country. but that said its a hell of a lot easier (i expect, having not yet gone on one) to do a killing spree with firearms. plus the pyschological aspect of the power of having a firearm is very influential in making it your rampage weapon of choice. yoyu are suddenly all powerful, if only briefly.

 

[sten_super]

Don't agree with that Frank tbh. I prefer Eddie Izzard's takes on matters: "Yes, guns don't kill people, people kill people. And monkeys do too, if they have a gun."

Agreed, possessing a gun (or two, in this guys case) certainly makes it a lot easier to go on a murderous rampage. It also makes it far harder to apprehend (without killing) someone who does this.

It seems likely that gun laws will be further tightened up after this. At the very least, questions should be asked as to why he was allowed to possess TWO guns; I can just about see that someone may need one, but two?

 

[The Spanish]

Agreed, possessing a gun (or two, in this guys case) certainly makes it a lot easier to go on a murderous rampage. It also makes it far harder to apprehend (without killing) someone who does this.

It seems likely that gun laws will be further tightened up after this. At the very least, questions should be asked as to why he was allowed to possess TWO guns; I can just about see that someone may need one, but two?

shotguns and rifles have different sporting purposes. ist a bit like asking why you would own both a tennis racket and football boots.

 

[skipper734]

why is it so astounding that a taxi driver might have a shotgun or a rifle? there might be an argument for saying only farmers and posh people in tweed can own them, but to be amazed or query that someone who isnt might own one is a bit strange.

its mental all the stuff that has been asked, like this, over the last day. What was he doing with a SHOTGUN? same as f***ing hundreds of thousands of other people. how you identify who is going to go on a killing spree, or whether anyone should own firearms full stop, are other questions, and more sensible ones.

A shotgun has a purpose in a farming environment. A scoped rifle in the hands of a gamekeeper or similar also has.
Specialist rifles and shotguns for sporting purposes OK.
I am just asking the question what possible valid reason does a taxi driver have to be given a license for a scoped rifle. It just sounds on the face of it to be inappropriate.
One of the last cases like this, the nutter used an automatic rifle. Result automatics became illegal to own.

 

[The Wizard]

Anyone just see the eye witness talking on this morning, very sad indeed.

 

[surrey jim]

Anyone just see the eye witness talking on this morning, very sad indeed.

No and I cant say I would admit to watching 'This Morning' either

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Very reasoned argument. Congratulations on the thought process that must have taken.

That was worth posting.

There is a time to wonder about the causes that led him to murdering innocent people - but now is not the time to sypathise with him. Let the families bury their loved ones first.

I am afraid whatever he was - he ended up a nutter. Killing innocents is not the act of a sane person.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Like you. i'm always interested to know what causes people to turn like this. I made a bit of a flippant comment about the programme Luther yesterday on here but ironically it is unfolding exactly like the last episode, a taxi driver who appears to be on the verge of losing everything he has just flicking a switch in his head. I'm not sure any of us can be sure how we'd react if everything we had was about to be lost.

Yes. I can see that is a good comparison.

And you comment on my thought processes.

Blimey.

 

[cyanide-sid]

Chris Rock says legalise guns but charge hundreds of pounds for each bullet. That would cut down on indiscrimate shootings.

After Hungerford and Dunblane new legislation was brought in over handguns, lets see what they do now. They should ban all guns unless left in a secure vault at gun clubs or at police stations. No more shooting parties ? So what.

 

[The Wizard]

No and I cant say I would admit to watching 'This Morning' either

He was just on ITV news as well, perhaps that is cool enough for you.

 

[clapham_gull]

Three of my relatives own shotguns, they use them purely for shooting clays. As Spanish says you can never tell who is going to lose the plot. If the guy had not used a shotgun he could have used an axe, a knife or his car or quite a few other things.

Just been listening on the radio to some obvious stats but they are worth repeating.

Only the fourth time in 50 years that a multiple murder using firearms has happened in this country. The half century was used as a basis of comparing other incidents around the world.

We have (relatively) few guns in circulation, and it appears that the likelihood something like this happening is in direct relation to the number of guns in circulation.

America was mentioned, but it was focusing on other countries in Europe.

So in conclusion people freak out everywhere, but if you limit their access to guns it's a lot less messy to clear up afterwards.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Family rifts, work rifts, financial problems. Sound like he just had a breakdown.

 

[clapham_gull]

Family rifts, work rifts, financial problems. Sound like he just had a breakdown.

That's not a breakdown.