I’ve been listening to live reports from NBC, feeling sick to my stomach. If you haven’t heard, the story is still breaking news. Somewhere around 9:40 a.m., a lone gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and shot and killed children. Numbers are still being confirmed, and information continues to change, but current reports say 26 people are dead, and 18 are children, most presumed to be in kindergarten.
And we say again “There’s no way we can predict this.” We toss out “It’s our culture of violence.” We hear “What do we do – put metal detectors in every school? Protect against every psychopath?”
For comparison purposes, the reporter on NBC mentioned that today, in China, an individual with a knife entered a school and stabbed 33.
Is this supposed to make any American feel better?
I haven’t looked to confirm that assertion. I don’t care about that assertion.
I care about the fact that it appears the gunman was dressed in dark garb not dissimilar to the way the Portland, Oregon shooter was dressed. That incident took place in a mall earlier this week. What about similar uniform to the July shooting in Aurora, Colorado? What about our pop culture that glorifies violence – and inures us to its horror?
Addressing the issues of anger in our country? Of mental illness? Of course those are critical, and as reports on this tragedy come in, though details continue to change, the latest news indicates the 24-year old man shot and killed his mother who worked at the school, and targeted her kindergarten class.
Again, reports are continuing to come in and information is subject to change. Apparently the shooter used legal handguns that are widely available.
So what about the guns?
How many times do we have to watch this same scenario play out? When will we do something about the guns? Must I reference this from NationMaster.com‘s crime statistics?
- 9,369 murders by firearms in the U.S., as compared to 269 in Germany and 144 in Canada.
- For context, the population of the US is roughly 312 million, Germany 82 million, and Canada, 34 million.
- We’re near the top of the list, in case you’re wondering. #4 as I read the chart.
According to Michael Moore writing last July on the Huffington Post,
At least 24 Americans every day (8-9,000 a year) are killed by people with guns – and that doesn’t count the ones accidentally killed by guns or who commit suicide with a gun. Count them and you can triple that number to over 25,000.
That means the United States is responsible for over 80 percent of all the gun deaths in the 23 richest countries combined.
“We’ve endured too many of these tragedies over the years,” said President Obama as he addressed the nation just minutes ago. “The majority of those who died today were children. Beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old.”
The President paused in his speech, and was noticeably affected.
He continued by saying “we’re going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this,” that we should all extend a hand in need, that we are praying for those who are going through this, and “may God bless the memory of the victims… and heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.”
Something I read on The Political Guide summarizes President Obama’s position on the Second Amendment, published in July 2012.
[President Obama’s]… record indicates that he is a strong supporter of reigning in firearms to prevent violence. This includes support for the assault weapons ban, support for international treaties to restrict firearms, and appointing Supreme Court Justices that are opposed to second amendment rights.
Reports are continuing to come in that there were more firearms, in addition to the handguns used.
Will we ever find out where he got them – and how easily? Will we ever deal with this issue by addressing gun control in a substantive way?
Do we really think there is no correlation between easy accessibility of guns and unspeakable acts of violence?
Must we really comply with an attitude toward guns that is two centuries old?
How do we claim to be a “god-fearing” country and not do something about the guns? How many times do we look at the data – or follow these stories – shocked, nauseous, despairing, incredulous?
Image of President Obama, screen shot “live” from streaming video.
It is absolutely appalling. I do believe in gun control. However, I am of the absolute mindset that a sick mind will find a weapon to kill if that is the intent. Of course, we must do everything in our power to make it very difficult for an individual to purchase any kind of weapon. Guns are just the tip of the iceberg.
I hear you. But let’s at least address that tip. Good start, no?
I, too have been sickened by today’s news. This really hit home as I have a 5 year old granddaughter ready to start kindergarten and a SIL who is an elementary school principal. My heart goes out to all the parents whose little ones won’t be coming home today.
Of course there are many issues that play into a tragedy like this, but we need to start somewhere – addressing access to guns and the types of guns that can be legally obtained is a logical first step. No one needs guns that shoot multiple rounds.
Then let’s consider making access to mental health services at least as easy as buying a gun.
I couldn’t agree more, Deb. Access to mental health services – before a violent crime is committed.
I was listening to the BBC at lunch. A reporter said that in the short time she has been on the job she has reported on three rampages. What really got to me was that I can’t keep them straight anymore…
I understand, Robert.
This is mind boggling and sad. There are so many issues that are disturbing.
This is a complex issue and there are no simple answers.
The first ugly truth that Americans need to face is that the culture is violent and had been for some time, I expect people to be outraged by this assertion and suggest otherwise. There are other countries with multiple weapons and guns where the level of violence, gun violence, mass murderers and serial killers is not nearly as high. Why? That said in one of the countries I consider the safest, Norway, we recently saw that a mentally ill self-identified Neo Nazi killed children.
Second, guns make killing easier. If someone has another weapon there is a fighting chance to disarm or survive. Certain guns seem to be made for the drug market and not hunting or home protection hence should be subject to review.
Third, is the founding father’s notion of being able to overthrow a tyrannical government outdated and unrealistic? Hence does the Constitution need to be amended?
Fourth, mental health assessments and treatments need to be more accessible and perhaps more resources from government, instead of private industry.
Fifth, laws and processes in relation to mental health should probably be reviewed and perhaps changed.
Sixth, why there are more and more mass murders against children and copycat killings needs to be examined.
Seventh, the fact that the media interviews a young boy right afterwards and the parents allow it is in itself disturbing.
Eighth, sober reflection and analysis is required as right now the issue is raw and emotional.
Your comments cover a great deal of ground, Curtis.
Like you, I am also disturbed seeing children being interviewed by press just after the incident. I realize parents give their permission, but I see no upside to this. None.
Your eighth point. This country has been through this over and over again. We always say “we must heal, we must grieve,” etc. And we put off the political discussions – of mental health access and in particular gun control. When we do, we let those critical discussions slide. Perhaps given the fact that President Obama seems deeply affected, that even the reporters are struggling to keep their composure – we may consider that grieving and action can overlap in some fashion.
Analysis? Of course. But haven’t we lived through this enough to know where to begin to make changes?
I never watch the news. And the few times I do this is the awful stuff happening. Disgusting, horrific tragedies that I can’t fix or prevent.
Why do any of us leave the house?
I am so sick at heart over this I find writing anything difficult. Yes, let us make access to mental health services as easy as acquiring a gun. Then let’s make acquiring a gun harder, and an assault weapon impossible. And then let us hear many voices taking a long, hard look at ourselves.