US woman goes on highway shooting spree: There were many things American officials were gearing up to face amid the solar eclipse - traffic jams, accidents, eye injuries and more. But this one definitely wasn’t on their list.

In a bizarre incident, a woman suddenly shot at two drivers on a Florida interstate and claimed that she was asked by “God” to do so via the solar eclipse, as per the police.

Strangely, the Sunshine State was not even close to the path of totality and hence, was supposed to be the least affected by the astronomical phenomenon.

  • boogetyboo
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    2 months ago

    This woman had access to a gun.

    In my country, I literally don’t know anyone who owns a gun. I wouldn’t even know where to start to get one. I suppose I could drive out to the bush and a farmer would have a rifle. But that’s about it.

    I’d otherwise need criminal associates to access one.

    How did she have one? Why was it so easy for her to get in a very isolated, specific state of psychosis?

    • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      In the US nearly person as access to guns by driving to the local gun store like it’s a convenience store, nearly every small town as at least one. I grew up in a town of ~3000 and we had two, they were so busy there was a waiting list for guns/ammo since they could barely meet demand. Next town over (40 minute highway drive) was a town of ~15000 and they had half a dozen of you count the Walmart and rural king stores as gun stores, they do sell guns.

      It’s easier to get firearms and ammunition than healthy food here… forget farmers markets or local food sources, it’s all guns and chain slop outside the major cities

      • Swarfega@lemm.ee
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        2 months ago

        It blows my mind that guns are everywhere you go in the US. I guess it must blow their mind to know that the only time I’ve seen a proper gun in the UK was on specialist police who were outside a court house when it had a high profile case. I’m 45 years old.

        • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          When I was in high school in the late 00s it was the worst kept secret in the world that 75% of the trucks in the school parking lot had guns in them. Mostly shotguns since many of us would hunt before school and if we didn’t get a deer that morning we’d go into school but if we did we’d skip that day. Now I’ve moved to a city in my adulthood but I still see guns near daily, either on our regular beat cops or by people just open carrying everywhere since my state allows open carry

        • Sizzler@slrpnk.net
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          2 months ago

          You don’t live in the countryside then, shop near me has shotguns on one side of the isle and booze on the other. Harrods sells guns, they are about.

    • Droggelbecher@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Gun control to a reasonable extent is certainly a good idea, but it won’t solve the problem. I know lots of people who own guns. It’s quite common in my bfs home country. Yet there’s pretty much never news of shootings. You know why? People have healthcare and some social safety nets. They don’t tend to get as bad as this woman got. If she didn’t have a gun, god would’ve told her to stab people at the supermarket because the system has gravely failed her in some way. Mentally healthy people aren’t told by god to kill people. So while gun control is necessary, it’s very far from the solution to the violence problem in the US.

        • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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          2 months ago

          What we really need to end all violence in America is to lobotomize everyone in an enhanced way. By removing significant portions of the brain, we can end motility and freedom, which are necessary preconditions for violence.