Why? This is a question people have been asking for pretty much all of time. It's used to begin a variety of questions, like when little kids ask their parents "Why is the sky blue?" or "Why do I have to take a nap?" This question "Why?" that I ask here deals with something a lot more serious and darker. As I'm sure you are all aware, a journalist and her cameraman were gunned down on live TV, while giving an interview. They were killed by one of their former colleagues who had been fired because of several incidents at work regarding his anger issues. My complete question is why does this violence keep happening? Why do we as people need to constantly be on the alert for this kind of random violence. And finally, for the love of God, why are we so scared to admit that there is a problem?

Let's look at the facts of this most recent case. Vester Lee Flanagan was a broadcaster at WDBJ7 in Virginia who was quite skilled at his job. According to the New York Times, Flanagan was also volatile, combative, and saw himself being the one who was facing persecution. His violent outbursts eventually led to his termination but the anger only increased. Flanagan, still carrying this anger, bought a gun and sought to exact his revenge on his former employers. He got his chance on Aug. 26, when he shot and killed journalist Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward, while they conducted an interview on a local story. Flanagan was then pursued by law enforcement officials and then proceeded to take his life with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

This is the third major incident this summer, in which a gunman took the lives of people who were going about their daily business (I say "major" not to disregard that there have been other countless incidents that don't gain as much national attention). Last month, four marines were killed at a recruitment office in Chattanooga and, back in June, nine people were killed inside a church.

Let me repeat that last one again: Nine people were shot and killed inside of a church. And now two people were killed outside a coffee shop while doing their jobs. People should not have to constantly look over their shoulders fearing that some wacko with a gun is going to start shooting. I should be able to go to a church, to school, or to see a movie and not have a fear in the back of my mind that my life could end.

President Obama, after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, said that "We cannot tolerate this anymore" and he is completely right. The problem is that this kind of violence is still taking place.

Now before I have the NRA and their supporters lining me up for execution, let me make something clear: I fully believe in our second amendment right to bare arms. It's freedoms like these that make this country great. Hell, the opening clash of our fight for independence was because the British tried to destroy our means to defend ourselves. However, do we really need an assault rifle to do so? A pistol would easily suffice. Granted, as seen with the most recent shooting, a deadly incident could easily be carried out with a pistol. So my hands are tied there.

While measures have been taken to prevent these tragedies, they still happen. The reason is that our nation is in denial that there is a problem. These shootings are so commonplace now that it doesn't really phase anyone anymore. A shooting happens, people are shocked and sad, the president condemns the act, there is mourning, and then we get back to our lives. I'm all for continuing on with our lives, but again, people shouldn't have to look over their shoulder when they go to a movie. Kids shouldn't be scared walking to school. We shouldn't be worried going to a place of worship. These places, among others, have been the scenes of these horrific acts.

I'm going to echo what Jeff Daniels said: "The first step in solving any problem is admitting that there is one." We should not, cannot, and must not tolerate this kind of violence anymore. If we as a nation can come together and fully embrace that we have an issue with gun violence and these mass shootings, then we could eliminate this kind of violence. It may not happen overnight, but this can be done.