I've been trying to find words for the recent Planned Parenthood shooting, and for the most part, I'm at a total loss of what to say. If there's a point where we, the American people, have simply become numb to gun violence, have simply created a template of "praying for the victims of (insert most recent shooting)" to share every time a shooting like this occurs, have simply learned to turn the other way when we hear statistics like this- we are far beyond that point.
The man in the Planned Parenthood shooting had a history of domestic violence, animal abuse, and stalking. The Umpqua Community College shooter owned 14 guns legally. The man who shot two reporters while they were reporting a story live owned a gun legally and used it to take two lives. The man who killed two and injured nine in a movie theatre in Louisiana recently was banned from legally purchasing a gun in his state- so he went to Alabama and purchased it legally there. The massacre of black churchgoers in South Carolina occurred when the shooter- who by state law should not have been allowed to purchase gun since he was convicted of selling drugs- did not have his background check completed thoroughly. The fifteen-year-old who used his father's gun to murder four students in his cafeteria should have never been able to gain access to a gun- because his father (the gun owner) slipped past his permanent domestic violence protection order and purchased a gun. I could go on- these were only a few shootings in the past year. Make of this what you will. I firmly believe that law-abiding U.S. citizens have the right to own and operate guns- emphasis on "law-abiding". And to those who have defended this Planned Parenthood shooting, calling the shooter a "hero" for saving lives of "babies": let me remind you that not only are you encouraging domestic terrorism- you are inherently NOT "pro-life" when you applaud the murder of women and Planned Parenthood workers.
I understand exactly what you saying, its a shame that gun violence has gone as far as it has in the past few years, but I personally feel like guns are getting a bad wrap from incidents like the ones you mentioned, when in reality a gun by itself isn't deadly, its when you put someone unstable behind it. And not just unstable people but I feel like there definitely needs to be some changes in the gun control law, by making it stricter, and harder for people to purchase weapons. Which is definitely easier said then done, but it would be really helpful if they did better checks on people purchasing weapons, or even putting a finger print on the gun that only lets the owner unlock it like we saw in the rampage shooting documentary. In reality though I feel like if someone wants something really bad there going to go out there way and do anything to get it. About "86% of juveniles in correctional facilities are reported to have owned a gun at some point, all of which would have been illegal weapons for the juveniles to own". However its hard to put a number on how many unregistered guns there are, but its been estimated that theirs over 200 million guns in the US. Which sound really excessive if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Cristian, those shootings are all very unfortunate tragedies but guns are constantly being bashed for their bad reputation around them that only involves violence and death. There are many other uses for guns. Yes, they are very dangerous but I strongly agree and believe that guns are dangerous depending on whose hands they are being held in. Many times violences and mass shootings occurring with guns stem from instability within the individual. I don't know know how we should make it more difficult for individuals to buy a gun when it seems they are able to just go around the law even when being forbidden to buy a gun in a certain state. We have tried to put laws and restrictions against guns for people who are not properly suited for a weapon but these laws need to be a lot more strict and taken more seriously throughout the nation.
DeleteYes it is the person who pulls the trigger, but we should definitely make owning a gun a lot harder than just being over a certain age or something, they need to dig a little deeper and figure out who that person really is and what they are capable of.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is easier said than done, and if people wanted a gun bad enough they would be able to get their hands on a piece, maybe we should push for more years in prison if caught with a gun illegally?
200 million guns including or excluding guns used in the military?
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ReplyDeleteI like the opening of your blog Lauren because it really is crazy to think how "numb" we are to these mass shootings. Also in regards to, "thoughts and prayers for"...is starting to get old, not trying to hate on people who say that (because it is a nice gesture), but how is that really helping anyone? Billy Eichner tweeted Your '"thoughts and prayers' don't mean a damn thing. #GunControlNOW" and I totally agree, instead on sending your thoughts and prayers on facebook, we as a society need to come together and get more involved in the topic of gun violence.
ReplyDeleteExactly! One tragedy occurs and everyone seems to have their attention on that matter until a week or so passes and everyone is back living their lives as if nothing ever happened. It is a really nice gesture to send your thoughts and your prayers, but we can do more! We can be more aware cause to be honest with you I highly doubt that the majority of our society even know about the 350+ shootings that happened just this year!! We need to be more aware, we need to understand the problem and figure out a solution! Thoughts and prayers just aren't enough.
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