Today, we had our seventh major shooting rampage (and second school shooting) of 2012. I wonder when we will finally realize we need to have a serious discussion about gun control in this country.
Not to make light of the other six, but this one hit very close to home. Enough is enough. They were 20 little kids. And they were inside their classroom. I am sickened and appalled.
Please let it be time.
I find it utterly unbelievable. This one more than any as the others were connected directly. Here the only touch was his mother.
ReplyDeleteConnecticut law on gun ownership is stringent when when held against ALL the other States. So I'm not sure the gun control is the problem here. But if they follow this on there is nothing more certain than they will cock it up. There are too many playing an agenda where the extreme is the only position.
Hunters and Sharpeshooting fraternity would have very little difficulty in reducing mag size down to a few rounds or even one. The sports gun owner has no need for 20 round mags in a side arm and anything else can be lowered to one or at most five. This can be done by legislation. And since the Constitution make no mention to multi-round arms I cannot see how SCOTUS would have issue. They would have profound issue with town arsenals where people bring their guns for it would hit the 'Keep' bit. For 'keep' in this context means at home. But, Nor is there anything in the Cons' which prevents gun owners being required to have gun safes of a set standard. Nor is there anything from preventing removal of weaponry from people deemed dangerous. We don't allow drunks or druggies drive why the frack are they allowed firearms and in some States carry permits.
If they can have every competing athlete required to submit to testing. Seems logical to do the same for arms.
Either way, the lunatics see the future with you an a glock strapped to you hip and the staffroom trained in SWAT tactics or everything from a peashooter up banned.
I must be clear here, was I living in the US I would be a gun owning democrat.
Oh, I'll bet there is a prescription for antidepressants in this mix someplace.
DeleteYes there are so many variables about why this is happening here and not elsewhere - who can acquire a gun, what kind of guns are allowed - they've all had semi-autos which don't quite seem what the writers of the constitution had in mind, "our" gun culture, the way we treat people, and even deeper is how we handle mental illness. Families are mostly left to fend for themselves to take care of someone who is ill, if they even recognize it.
DeleteWhatever the combination, it's ridiculous that it's not being addressed. For a country who boasts it's greatness like ours does, it's ridiculous that this is allowed to happen so regularly.
No kidding about being strapped in the classroom. After this happening we had more affluent schools here in CA close early yesterday. I'm sure this will be addressed in many policy changes. Schools outside of major cities are so open, anyone can walk on. After hearing about the teachers who heard it all going down and quickly locked their doors and hid in the corners, I thought about my own class. I have two doors (a front and back door) that I always leave open. But sheesh, would I have time to lock both in a situation like this. I feel like I need to just keep them both locked all the time.
It's very scary that something like this could ever happen.
Look at this http://ideas.time.com/2012/12/15/sandy-hook-shooting-why-did-lanza-target-a-school/
DeleteHere we've got self interest coupled with a belief he can predict the future. This fool would have those with a mental illness locked up or medicated out of their heads.
I've been reading quite a bit of this drivel over the last days.
There's been A LOT of self interest on this as there always is. I haven't watched live television since last night because I got so tired of the blathering self righteousness by the reporters. Sometimes, after saying it all, there's nothing left to say but they keep talking.
DeleteI read the article differently I think. Right now the mentally ill ARE medicated and jailed after committing a crime otherwise they're (or their families) are left to figure it out on their own. I don't know what the solution should be, but only having a solution for after the fact doesn't seem to be working out so well.
I find it interesting that while the author of that article dismissed gun control as a factor, he referenced the school attack in China where a knife was used...and none of the victims died.
Thanks for linking that up. I hadn't seen it yet.
His argument, at least the undertow of it anyway, is that it's possible to predict and prevent. Basically it's a question of orientation. His way is to provide society with the illusion of safety and then and only then and a long way behind the person in need of help. His "goal" is the mental hospital where he is the gatekeeper, your Ratchet of One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest. A prison with no out.
DeleteWhile I don't agree with that route either, there has to be something more that can be done for those who are ill than just waiting around hoping they aren't a danger to themselves or others. With each event like this one people become more and more outraged. Maybe it will finally be the straw that broke the camel's back and at least get a discussion started on the whole lot of issues that seem to be tangled together rather than just ignore them and move on like each and every other time this has happened.
DeleteAnd if I hear or read one more "if prayer were allowed in public school this wouldn't have happened" my head is going to explode.
It hits home as a teacher of that age group and a mother...imagining those who lost a little one already had wrapped presents under the tree for them....kills me!
ReplyDeleteThere were so many things about this that hit home for me, even more so than the others I think. Just that it would happen at an elementary school, I just can't even think about it anymore, except maybe I need to find a less dangerous job, or move out of this country.
DeleteI am sorry Vince, I don't hear what you are hearing in the article. I believe change must happen with mental health upgrades and yes maybe hospitalization for those that won't take their meds and gun control. I know it is a slippery slope but maybe we need doctors, politicians and us regular people, to stand up to the powerful Lobbies to get some moderation with the navigation.
ReplyDeleteI think that last part is the key. I do hope that this tragedy will get the discussion going.
DeleteSorry BC but you must see a scenario where the quiet shy kid will be watched for signs.
DeleteWhenever I read someone in that field making absolutist statements with then as gatekeeper I see things like JFKs sister being lobotomized and the mentally ill being castrated and ovaries chemically sterilized with chlorine on the instruction of medics with a certainty of the future they just cannot have or hold.
Kimberly, I thought about you a lot this weekend, going back to school this morning will be an act of bravery for all teachers
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie. I've decided to keep the doors locked on the outside at this point in time. It's like anything else, the chances are slim but you just never know. I don't know how long I'll be able to deal with the constant knocking every time someone comes in or remembering to bring me keys with me everywhere, but for now it makes me feel a bit more secure. :)
DeleteI can't get myself to even watch the news. It is the unthinkable.. I hope we can take this moment as a country to make some changes.
ReplyDeleteMe neither. Now the funerals are starting and I wonder if ANYTHING is allowed to just be private anymore. These poor people having to grieve on camera...
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