Virginia campus shooting evokes commentary around the world

Associated Press / WSLS NewsChannel 10
Published: April 17, 2007

(AP) - Yesterday's shooting rampage in the US is making headlines overseas, and foreign reaction has been more disgust that surprise.

In Europe, which has some of the toughest gun control laws in the world, the Virginia Tech incident has lit up talk-show lines with complaints about America's fascination with guns and weak controls.

By coincidence, British Home Office Minister Tony McNulty earned a masters in political science at Virginia Tech. He says the only good that can come from the shootings is a "serious and reflective debate on gun issues."

Handguns are completely illegal in Britain, which recorded only 46 homicides involving firearms all of last year. By contrast there were 579 gun homicides last year in New York City alone.

The shooting drew intense coverage in China, because the shooter was Asian and because Virginia Tech has a relatively large Chinese student body. An expert on American studies says the shooting reflects the problem of gun control in America.