Question -- is this wrong to do?

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
I have a question for Ms. Mod, considering her experience with Stephen King and writing. It's an ethical and legal question.

I'm sure you've read the news item about the unfortunate tragedy where a two-year-old shot his (her?) mother. Terrible event.

Perhaps just as unfortunately, an idea came to my mind for a short story based on it. It's not fully formed yet, and I probably shouldn't even say the idea, but I would have to use the basic details of the event.

If I did that and self-published it on Amazon, could I be sued for that? Is it wrong to do so? I think King has done stuff like this before, correct (I'm thinking of It and the beatings of some individuals in the book, early in the story?)? In today's age, though, I can put something on Amazon pretty quick...would it be too soon?

[ Moderator ]
 

Flat Matt

Deleted User
Apr 16, 2014
518
3,194
Way too soon. I just cannot get my head around the fact that folks go to Walmart with a loaded gun. It stikes me as so bizarre. That poor child will go through life knowing he killed his mom.

Please forgive my ignorance, but is gun ownership in Canada not what it is in the US?

To be honest, the whole idea of the public owning guns is something I don't understand at all. I'm not judging the US at all because I'm an outsider and it would be wrong of me to pass judgement on another country's culture and laws, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to own a gun.

I remember fellow Brit, Piers Morgan, being lambasted by some slightly deranged guy on US television for questioning US gun laws and ownership. It seems to be something people feel quite strongly about.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
but I can't imagine why anyone would want to own a gun.

...cuz we is all bug-eyed, sister marryin', butt scratchin. beer swillin', Nascar watchin' 'Muricans....
redneck-republic.jpg
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
Please forgive my ignorance, but is gun ownership in Canada not what it is in the US?

To be honest, the whole idea of the public owning guns is something I don't understand at all. I'm not judging the US at all because I'm an outsider and it would be wrong of me to pass judgement on another country's culture and laws, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to own a gun.

I remember fellow Brit, Piers Morgan, being lambasted by some slightly deranged guy on US television for questioning US gun laws and ownership. It seems to be something people feel quite strongly about.
Our laws are like yours. Cops and other enforement folks can carry handguns. I do not know if it still this way, but the constabulary in St. John's Newfoundland did not carry guns at all. My uncle was a cop in St. Johns before he worked his way up to being the top cop in the RCMP there.
 

Flat Matt

Deleted User
Apr 16, 2014
518
3,194
Our laws are like yours. Cops and other enforement folks can carry handguns. I do not know if it still this way, but the constabulary in St. John's Newfoundland did not carry guns at all. My uncle was a cop in St. Johns before he worked his way up to being the top cop in the RCMP there.

Sounds very similar to our laws. Are the public allowed to have guns in their homes at all?
 

CriticAndProud

Not actually dead, just very inactive.
Aug 26, 2013
5,955
24,608
24
Australia
I don't know about the racism, but I love the patriotism Australians have.

It's a beautiful and great country. I wish I had been born there, I really do.

I was mostly joking when I said we were racists. One thing we Aussies can do is laugh at ourselves.

P.S- I think the thread has been slightly derailed.
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
Sounds very similar to our laws. Are the public allowed to have guns in their homes at all?
One can have a hunting rifle but the rules are strict. I cannot buy a handgun. If one were found in my car of my house...you can expect jail time...there is no tolerance at all. People still manage to get guns though...the bad folks. That does not say that we should let everyone carry them because the crooks have them. There are a lot of hot heads out there who would probably kill if a gun was in their hands.