U.S. Receives Criticism Over Gun Laws

The shootings at Virginia Tech have sparked mass criticism over the U.S. Gun control laws around the world Tuesday. South Korea's foreign minister said the government hoped Monday's shooting's allegedly carried out by a 23 year old South Korean native would not "stir up " racial prejudice or confrontation.

Australia one of America's closest allies declared that America's gun culture was costing lives. "We took action to limit the availability of guns and we showed a national resolve that the gun culture that is such a negative in our country." said Australian Prime minister John Howard.

Handguns are also banned in Britain, even the country's Olympic pistol shooting team cannot practice on their countries soil. In Italy people must have a valid reason for owning a handgun. Firearms are completely forbidden for private Chinese citizens. In Sweden, civilians can acquire firearms permits only if they have a hunting license or are members of a shooting club and have no criminal record.

Leaders from Britain, Germany, Mexico, China, Afghanistan and France all stopped short of criticizing President Bush and the U.S. gun laws. They then offered their sympathies to all of the families of Monday's victim's of the Virginia Tech College shooting.

In Mexico, radio commentators criticized the availability of Firearms in the U.S. Mexico's complaint that most of the guns in Mexico are smuggled in from the United States. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid cautioned Tuesday against a "rush to judgment" on stricter gun control. "I think we ought to be thinking about the families and the victims and not speculate about future legislative battles that might lie ahead", Said Reid.

The state of Virginia allows unlicensed open carry, which means, openly carrying a firearm in public. The gun has to be in full view it cannot be concealed and has the capacity of twenty rounds or less. State law requires gun buyers to go through a state-based criminal background check in addition to the federal NICS check. This is the best system since it includes checking both state and federal records to prevent criminals and other prohibited people from buying guns. In 2000, 2,568 gun buyers failed the criminal background check and were stopped from buying guns.

Cho Seung- Hui was identified a as Senior, who was majoring in English at Virginia Tech. He killed 32 people early Monday morning and then turned the gun on himself. Cho had recently developed an interest in guns. Cho possessed a Walther P22 and a Glock 9mm handgun. Cho bought his first handgun on March 13. The Walther was purchased just last week. Virginia law prohibits buying more than one hand gun in a thirty day period.