How Many Do We Need to Endure for It to Stop?
When I wrote this back in 2012, I never imagined that in the next ten years we would be subjected to so many more horrific tragedies in our country. Over and over, we seem to just be replacing the name of the city or town where these tragedies occur. It is apparent that this not only has to do with mental health issues, but also the easy access to weapons. How many more innocent people have to die before we stand up and do something about it? This is not about the 2nd amendment. I don't know anyone who wants to take guns away from people, and nobody is going to go into your home and take them away, but the majority of Americans do want sensible changes to gun laws. It is not unreasonable to expect thorough background checks for all gun sales, including private and gun show sales, and it is only sensible to have a waiting period while a background check is completed. There is no reason for any private citizen to have assault rifles, a weapon of war. There is no reason that there should not be red flag laws. Any politician in Washington unwilling to take a stand on this issue should lose their job, since it is very clear they are not doing what the majority of Americans want.
This blog was originally published December 15, 2012:
Once again, we are dealing with an unspeakable tragedy in our country. Too many of these are taking place and we need to get better at recognizing the signs. Recently it was a mall shooting and now a school in Connecticut. I cannot begin to comprehend how someone could walk into a school and shoot innocent children. What has gone so wrong in their mind to push them to this?
To watch the news and see a father almost drop to his knees with grief is so heart wrenching that it is unbearable to see. I cry with him and all the parents and families who lost loved ones, unable to grasp the depths of their despair in this moment. One can only imagine what they are going through. The parents who had to go to a fire house to see if their children were ones who survived or one of those that did not. The mix of emotions when you found your child - the absolute joy that they were spared and the total grief for the parents who lost their babies. Your friends and neighbors that you need to console and are not quite sure how to do so.
Although there is no reason for anyone to have an automatic assault rifle, this is not about gun control. We need to get better at recognizing the signs in our family members, neighbors, co-workers, and even in strangers we come into contact with. The signs that something is not right, that they are troubled and may cause harm to themselves and others. We cannot continue to assume that they are just having a tough time of it and things will get better, and just turn our heads. We all know that there are signs long before something like this happens. We need to be educated to recognize the signs of trouble brewing in order to prevent a tragedy from happening.
And in the face of all this incredible sadness, I was reminded this morning by a friend of some amazing words. Words that are appropriate for now, and words we should all remember:
We all need to be the helpers - how much better would we be if we remember this? My prayers will be with all of the families in Connecticut in the next days, months and years to come, as I know yours will too.
Once again, we are dealing with an unspeakable tragedy in our country. Too many of these are taking place and we need to get better at recognizing the signs. Recently it was a mall shooting and now a school in Connecticut. I cannot begin to comprehend how someone could walk into a school and shoot innocent children. What has gone so wrong in their mind to push them to this?
To watch the news and see a father almost drop to his knees with grief is so heart wrenching that it is unbearable to see. I cry with him and all the parents and families who lost loved ones, unable to grasp the depths of their despair in this moment. One can only imagine what they are going through. The parents who had to go to a fire house to see if their children were ones who survived or one of those that did not. The mix of emotions when you found your child - the absolute joy that they were spared and the total grief for the parents who lost their babies. Your friends and neighbors that you need to console and are not quite sure how to do so.
Although there is no reason for anyone to have an automatic assault rifle, this is not about gun control. We need to get better at recognizing the signs in our family members, neighbors, co-workers, and even in strangers we come into contact with. The signs that something is not right, that they are troubled and may cause harm to themselves and others. We cannot continue to assume that they are just having a tough time of it and things will get better, and just turn our heads. We all know that there are signs long before something like this happens. We need to be educated to recognize the signs of trouble brewing in order to prevent a tragedy from happening.
And in the face of all this incredible sadness, I was reminded this morning by a friend of some amazing words. Words that are appropriate for now, and words we should all remember:
And now my heart breaks for the families in Uvalde, Texas who have to endure something that never should have happened. I will pray for them each day as they grieve for the loss of their precious children and family members.
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