Take a look at this statistic really quick. One hundred thirty three mass shootings have happened in 164 days. Between those 133 shootings, 207 people have died and 650 people injured. This is ridiculous. There should be no reason for this. So, in a messed up society, what do we do to solve this? How do we get this to end?
As a society, we need to look closely at all of the factors involved in the countless mass shootings.
The Shooter
Let's get one thing straight. It does not matter what religion, ethnicity, sexuality, or race they belong to. It is not an act of terrorism simply because of the color of their skin. We can scream “terrorist” if they belong to a terrorist organization.
Now that we have cleared that up, we should clear something else up. I would say that most of those who decide one day to shoot up a mass amount of people, are mentally unstable. We should not give them a slap on the wrist because they are “ill and it was their cry for help.” Some simply use their illness as an excuse or cop-out. If you truly do have a mental illness and were not aware of what you were doing, then fine I guess. But otherwise, illness is not an excuse for murder, sorry. Do not try to use it as a get out of jail free card. You are a monster, plain and simple.
It breaks my heart to know that someone would get so angry, sad, or whatever enough to go into a public place and kill people.
I don’t even have the words to explain my disgust, sadness, and worry for our society. These shootings need to be stopped, and it starts with the shooter.
The Victims
First off, I wanted to give my condolences. Whether you made it out of the mess or not, you didn’t deserve it.
Whether they were all living in the same part of Chicago, had the same sexual orientation, or all went to your school, they do not deserve to die.
No one deserves to be woken up at all hours of the day, to a phone call that a loved one has been killed in a mass shooting.
There is not much that I can say to take away the pain, but this needs to stop.
The Weapons
It is not the gun that killed people. It is the monster behind it that pulled the trigger. You don’t blame pencils for spelling mistakes or cars for car accidents. So please, just stop.
If someone in the school, movie theatre, or club had concealed carry, maybe there would not have been as many casualties. Just because there are people that misuse guns for the wrong purpose, it does not mean that everyone should lose their right to bear arms.
Although guns are great for protection and hunting, I do agree that it is too easy to buy one; we need stricter rules. I do not know what it should entail, but there needs to be a sit down with the family to talk about their mental stability, a doctors’ note, a lie detector, and anything else that will make it easier to tell the crazies from everyone else.
I wish the shooters in all of the mass shootings did not get ahold of a gun. I do not know how they got guns in the first place, but I wish their families and friends would have noticed some warning signs or their instability.
The Location
This sucks. We should never be afraid to go anywhere. We should not have to worry about taking our kids to the movie theatre, or going to school, or going out to celebrate at a club or bar, or even leave our homes. This is ridiculous. We should not have to live in fear of being gunned down. I wish there was a gigantic metal detector or magnet or something that would stop the incident from ever occurring. If only there was such a thing.
*The Solution.*
1. Love
Love others. Treat everyone with respect. Alter the gun policy. Have better security.
2. Stop killing
It is my belief that no one deserves to die. As a Christian, murder is not the answer. I believe that God will be the ultimate Judge one day and give them what they deserve. So please, don’t kill. It is plain and simple. They can rot in jail, fine, but do not take someone’s life with your own hands because then, you are just as bad as the shooter is.
3. Stricter policies
Metal detectors: we need more of them. More hoops to go through to buy a gun? Please do.
Also, do not complain when you have to go through a little more security to get into a concert, club, or airplane. It is not being done to inconvenience you. It is to save lives. Remember that.
4. Stop blowing it up on social media.
Sharing everything to do with the mass shootings creates confusion, panic, incorrect information and opinions, and also could put the idea in to the next shooter's head. Stop giving the shooter the attention and fame they wanted and do not deserve.
