How many die before we decide enough is enough?
/We live in a nation, which is founded on the right of individuals to own and keep firearms. In many ways owning a firearm is ingrained in our self-image as a part of our pioneer and frontiersman heritage. Many, especially in the rural areas, enjoy hunting. For other people target shooting is great way to test skills of steadiness and accuracy. Some are simply fascinated with the mechanical workings of a pistol or rifle.
Meanwhile, we all want to feel secure and not worry about bullets suddenly whistling past us at a concert, movie or while we sit in church pews.
Since October 1st we have seen three brutal shootings killing nearly 90 adults and children while wounding hundreds and a frightened general public.
The truth is there is probably not a law which could be passed that would not have bumped against or crossed someone’s legal rights.
I hope we have not decided this is the new normal and we will have to learn to live with it. I do not want to see metal detectors at the entrance of all public buildings, or security guards patrolling the hall of schools or theaters. It is sad that a church needs to have shooting drills and lock the doors after the service starts in order for the congregants to feel safe and secure while they worship.
According to a recent article on National Public Radio we really do not understand what is going on and we need to do research and change the way we look at gun violence:
As stated in the article congress does not want a study conducted on gun violence, at any level.
The problem is that until we learn more about the social, economic and emotional pressures which lie behind our current epidemic of gun violence we will be unable to have the meaningful discussion which will help us find a solution which works for all concerned.
Until we have the discussion we will have to learn to live behind locked doors, listening in fear for the whistle of bullets in the air.