Hours after the report of the latest school shooting yesterday, I posted this map on my Facebook page.
It shows the location of every school shooting since the rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut a couple of years ago.
I noted it's the saddest map you will ever see.
Of course, as soon as I posted it, someone noted that all of the shootings occurred in so-called 'gun-free zones.' I took a deep breath, and then replied.
I actually had some legitimate engagement with the man.
The truth is, I don't really care whether these schools are 'gun-free zones' or not. What I care about is that kids are dying, often at the hands of other kids.
I'm tired of putting these stories in the paper.
I don't own a gun, but I have no interest in taking away the rights of someone who wants a gun.
So what do we do?
I'm all ears.
Comments
I think the vast majority of these school children killers are mentally ill. Some were bullied and over time, developed a pure hatred not only for everything in their school, but also for themselves.
I think every school should have
a full time psychologist on staff that is open to talking to parents and students about any student that they feel has a problem. Then a mental evaluation could be done, and hopefully that person would have access to professional help.
With that said, there are many guns on the streets in the hands of criminals. I dont want to take guns away from responsible owners. You would think they would want to have safer gun laws but in my experience that is not true either. I don't think anyone should possess heavy artillery weapons they are meant to kill multiple people. Those weapons need the strongest regulations and convictions for those who break them. A mental health evaluation should be required for initial permits. Those who have more than three guns also. Yes, I know we are Americans and we have the right to bare/have arms. Now to the School shootings. There are many factors at play here, the gaming culture has caused a desensitization of reality in some children. Bullying, and the way that those around the situation handle it, a child can't feel helpless and bullying takes that childs power, self esteem away. The signs of depression need to be taught to parents, staff and children, along with how to deal with it. A stronger presence of those is the psychology field in schools. The stigma that comes with mental instability needs to be broken down.
The idea that owning a gun is power that needs to be replaced with empathy for life.
I could go on, but of we as small local people don't make choices to start to change then it will never happen on a much larger scale.
Angela Pote