“I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
― Edward Everett

My heart is heavy with the news lately. Between the criminals on the news, shootings, and the media...I have a heavy heart. It scares me. The Florida (Parkland) shooting has shaken me to my core, and my heart screams that it's time to change. I have thought that for a long time. But I'm done sitting on my couch crying over the news. I don't want to just sit on the couch watching the world go up in flames while munching on potato chips while saying "I'll pray for you" like it doesn't affect me. I want to advocate change. I may not have all the answers, but I at least have ideas.

I don't know how to solve the world's problems. I don't claim to. But I have ideas. For starters, how do we protect the children? How can we defend them, without CONSTANTLY playing the offense? My idea: put veterans in the schools to stand guard.

These men and woman dedicated to their lives to protecting the country. Protecting us. I believe deep in my heart that these men and women would love to do that because they are trained to do this. And they CHOSE to do pursue this training. There are so many veterans that are jobless, and this could help not only the children but them too. It's a solution where everyone benefits. Now, I know the argument that "one person can't protect a whole school." But at least it's SOMETHING. It is Deterrent to these people who want to hurt our children.

Look, I don't want to take your guns. I don't. I have ZERO desire to take your firearms. That being said, I do advocate the idea of a stronger mental health evaluation to GET the gun. I support new gun regulations. I don't want your guns. I want you to EARN your gun. I want you to deserve it. Because these kids deserved to live. I want change. I want to have something, anything, that would possibly make our lives safer.

That being said, I truly believe that another deterrent could be a mental health exam. Get the okay from a doctor. Get the necessary training. Weapons are scary when you don't understand them. As it is with most things. Go get a physical evaluation. Make sure that you're in the best condition for you, and for others. Now, I know there's an argument with this too. Some people wouldn't pass the exam because of issues like anxiety and/or depression. I would even probably be one of those people. And that is where my next idea comes in, along with the doctor's permission.

Recommendations.

When it came to the Florida shooter, there were people who WEREN'T surprised by this tragedy. They said they saw it coming. They said he had no business having a gun. He was creepy. He was a loner. He was an outcast. He was on social media publicly stating how much he loved guns and knives. Could this have been prevented possibly?

What if these people, these kids, had a chance to say "hey, this kid shouldn't have this weapon"? What if, to get a gun, you had to have so many recommendations? From a friend? Acquaintance? Family members? Doctors and health professionals? I believe that this could AT LEAST weed out some of the people that want to hurt others.

“I had to decide what I was going to do, and what I was going to be. I was standing there, waiting for someone to do something , till I realised the person I was waiting for was myself.”

My heart is with the families. Remember the victims. It's time to offer more than thoughts and prayers.

https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/do-someth...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/18/us/parkland-florida...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/us/florida-shooting...