Women Are Coming Together to Assert Their Power
November 2, 2017
Time to Redefine Domestic Terrorism Regardless of the Motive
November 10, 2017Accepting the Murder of Innocent Children in Mass Shootings
Standing by and accepting the murder of innocent children in mass shootings, and not taking steps to stop it, is an indication that our society is in real trouble. Is that where we are headed? Whether such atrocities occur at the hands of a mentally deranged gunman or one who harbors racial, religious or ideological hatred, they have one thing in common: access to semi-automatic guns, whether they are qualified to have them or not.
Policy makers, gun enthusiasts, and we ordinary but empowered citizens seem to be accepting the murder of innocent children in mass shootings as the “new normal” in America. From the Sandy Hook shooting that took the lives of twenty children to the shooting in Sutherland Springs, which took the lives of eight children and critically wounded others, it seems not to be enough to address America’s gun problem.
How many more random mass killings with semi-automatic or retrofitted automatic guns will it take for the President and Congress to pass reasonable legislation to address the access and availability of military-caliber weapons that can be easily obtained by those who will go out and kill innocent people at will?
What will it take to stop policymakers from hiding behind the Second Amendment? What will it take to stop them from caving to the powerful gun lobby? No one is interested in denying the rights of citizens to bear arms to protect their homes, their person, and their families. But what kind of arms, guns, are necessary? Military style semi-automatic guns?
Guns and the right to have them are and have always been a part of America’s history. The need to have them has been increasing at a feverish pace, bordering on obsession and giving a false sense of security and power. But, it takes only one bullet to take one life.
I have a gun. You have a gun. Everybody has a gun. Who is secure? Who is powerful?
With gun access being out of control, craze men are able to get guns that they should not have. After the initial shock of human carnage, we are accepting the murder of innocent children in mass shootings. It is happening all too frequently.
Accepting the Murder of Innocent Children in Mass Shootings. Photo Credit: nydailynews.com
In the meantime, many policymakers who are in a position to implement policies to ban or better regulate access to such deadly guns pretend that America does not have a gun problem.
Are we really willing to continue accepting the murder of innocent children in mass shootings as the “new normal” of American life? If we fail to do something, we are on a slippery slope.
Does it mean that those children, and many other children who are likely to fall victim to a crazed gunman, are not entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Feature Photo Image: www.uri.edu
15 Comments
While it may not be the opinion of the majority, I honestly think that the policies of gun use is not the root cause of mass shootings. If we take into account all of the incidents of the mass shooting, some of these happened using a gun that was stolen or borrowed, and not those which the assailant himself acquired through purchase. Why don’t we consider media, which sometimes unconsciously promote violence and the ignorant and irresponsible use of deadly weapons? It’s really sad that violence seems to be the easiest way that people resort to if they want their voices to be heard; or that people have lose sight of the importance of life and human dignity. Still, we should not solely blame the weapon, but also the weapon-user.
It is always sad reading about people getting murdered whether they are kids or adults, they are sad to hear all the same. I think there are many ways to help people who are mentally disturbed which could lead to mass shootings. People nowadays are too preoccupied with their lives that they forget to care for other people.
This is a sad article to read. I can’t believe that buying a gun in the USA is that easy! There should be stricter gun laws in order to lessen the amount of these mass shootings! Also, there should be a test on how to properly use a gun and a certification before buying guns!
Of course, we are not just accepting it; we just don’t know what to do to avoid it. We can protest and express our sentiments with what happened. But I think what we can really do that will have a greater impact will be to improve each of ourselves and raise the younger generation through love and strong-bonded homes. Small steps made by each of us to produce a bigger outcome in the future. Spread the love. Start with family and friends.
This is sad to read. i cant believe how many innocent lives are taken away.
There should be no tolerance towards violence. We need to change the law for gun usage and there should be tests to get one.
This should never be accepted by policymakers, there should be a ban on the indiscriminate use of guns. Children have the right to live, it is their human rights, not a privilege. Mass shootings of innocent children should be eradicated. This is really causing pains to both parents and the society. It should be stopped now before it becomes a way of life.
These days news like these does not surprise me. However, It is a puzzle to me how people kids at that can just go anywhere movies, schools etc and just start shooting.
The violence cannot be tolerated. We should ammend the law constituting the usage of guns and a strict requirements and tests on how to obtain one. Security is such a superficial reason on acquitting one, for a gun can take one’s life, if left permissible by someone who is not accountable of his own seditious deeds.
It’s a terrible phenomenon. I can’t understand why a country with so much stature and presence internationally can also endorse gun use. You would think one of these mass killings would send the message out to everyone, but clearly not. Someone’s got to stand up and change the way we feel about guns.
I am an advocate for stronger legislation about restricting access to guns for anyone, whether to protect himself or for hunting. The easy acquisition of guns in American society is the reason behind the mass shootings. We should all come together and put a stop to this before more innocent people are slaughtered.
Every human being is entitled to a peaceful and uninterrupted shelter. It has become a norm in America to witness killings of innocent children. It’s very sad to see these on news headlines
This is very sad to read,I read online all the time about killing innocent children with guns and I wonder the sanity of these perpetrators. I hope the government officials rise to this need and help put a stop to this ugly incidences. our children are our future and as such we are at liberty to protect them from harm such as mass shooting.
When thinks like murder seems normal or aceptable, specially when this is about a massive murder, then something is wrong like you said. If we lost what makes un human then wath are we becoming in?
Ms. Ellis,
I am a retired LEO and have seen many shootings in my career.
The type of weapons you speak of have been commercially available to the public for many years in even larger calibers than the AR-15. Hunting rifles in particular.They simply have smaller magazines. If large capacity magazines are banned one simply needs to purchase more small ones.
You spoke of improving the process that determines who should be able to obtain these types of weapons.
If you recall, Adam Lanza first murdered his mother and then used her legally purchased firearm to commit the mass murder of the students and 6 teachers at Sandy hook. The purchase was not the problem.
The rampant violence in Chicago is committed with more handguns than any other weapon. It is illegal to posses fully automatic weapons without the proper license from the federal government but they are out there none the less.
There are no reasonable ways to control who gets their hands on any kind of firearm in this country. Prior to the AR style rifles being sold to the public thousands of military weapons were stolen from armorys and sold on the streets.
Sadly this is the world we live in. People have lost sight of things like morals, respect for others and the value of human life. As a high school student in Texas in the 70’s, rifles were hung on a rack in plain view in vehicles in the school parking lot. Nobody thought of stealing them let alone shooting someone.
Long story short the generations have not progressed in this area but have gone backward a few centuries when killing was common place.
Restricting types of weapons or magazine capacity will not stop or slow the killing.