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I really hate saying this... (Warning: US Politics)
13 years ago
General
In response to the recent attack on the school in Connecticut, I am not shocked or surprised that it happened. I am saddened by it, but I am no longer surprised. Similar events have happened 7 times this year alone. There's only so many times you can shock me before I start to go "Oh. Another mass murder." as horrible as I feel thinking that way.
Now many people are rightfully angry at those (like me, unfortunately) who wish to use this to start a conversation about gun control. Honestly, you guys are 100% right. Families should have time to mourn and we should be grieving as a nation right now. However, this conversation needs to happen eventually. Clearly whatever we are doing right now has led to an unprecedented level of gun-related violence in the US. If we don't take the time to act, there's an extremely high chance something will happen again. I don't want that.
Now many people are rightfully angry at those (like me, unfortunately) who wish to use this to start a conversation about gun control. Honestly, you guys are 100% right. Families should have time to mourn and we should be grieving as a nation right now. However, this conversation needs to happen eventually. Clearly whatever we are doing right now has led to an unprecedented level of gun-related violence in the US. If we don't take the time to act, there's an extremely high chance something will happen again. I don't want that.
What I (and I gather you) really want is smarter regulation of gun control. I want people who want guns to be forced to undergo proper safety training and mental health screenings. I want them to be forced to get a licence and be required to renew it regularly. I basically want the same level of regulation cars have.
I think this sums it up.
But leave me out of this, I really don't care that much that I would start arguing about the issue.
However, I am compelled to respond to that link. I should point out that gun laws aren't as tight as people believe. For example, many states allow for what's called a "gun show loophole" where people who go to gun shows are not required to even get a background check for weaponry. These weapons can be easily peddled on the Black Market.
You can't ban the guns or you just repeat the Prohibition, yet you can't let everyone have guns or people will just have guns legally with intent to abuse.
That's the least of our problems.
It's not like guns are the only problem here. Another huge problem is the media. They practically glorify all these incidents by making them the talk of the town for weeks. I have no doubts that in the coming days, reporters will tell us everything about this man even when nobody wants to or needs to know. Fame is a very powerful motivation. It is the closet thing we have to immortality.