Voices From Around the World about Va. Tech

The BBC has opened a forum for people from all over the world regarding the horrific shooting at Virginia Tech on Monday. The shattering incident has claimed 32 lives. About 17others  remain in hospitals in Christiansburg, Radford and Roanoke. According to Channel 7, the CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Gov. Tim Kaine visited several wounded students at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

It is not my intention to make this awful tragedy a political thing. I am distancing myself from even those I agree with because it seems absolutely inappropriate. Though news that one of the victims, a French teacher from Canada, was an anti-gun activist will perhaps fittingly turn public sympathy against the NRA and their radical agenda though I would personally prefer these talks to commence once other news takes the place of this story on the front page.

The comments from the BBC reflect public sentiment about the gun-rights debate.

Canadian Pamela (no last name given) said: "In the future when the kids ask the teacher why there are metal detectors on all the entrance to public buildings, she can unreservedly say it's all part of up-holding constiutional rights and representative of government."

Peter Noordijk of Portland, Or, told the BBC that: "I think the shooter's nationality is being mentioned because it violates stereotypes. All, or at least most recent mass school shootings in the US have been by caucasian American boys. If this was a girl, they'd be talking about that. We also believe that WE have a violent gun culture, so it is surprising to us that he was riased in a Korean household."

Clara from London said: "I feel awful for all those involved in and affected by this tragedy. But how many more people must die in shootings like this before there can be a real debate in the US on the issue of gun control? There will always be mentally unstable people out there. Limit their access to guns for god's sake!