In light of the recent gun related tragedies, I feel that it is important to take a step away from the debates and remember those who have passed away under some of the most brutal circumstances. I am turning 21 this year and my age group has witnessed more mass shootings than any other living generation has in their youth. We have grown up in a world that is not only unsafe, but consistently and heartbreakingly mournful.
This article isn't about defending or pointing out the flaws of each gun control-related side. It's about the human side of the issue. In all honesty, I am not sure what the best solution to this seemingly never ending cycle is, but I do know that no matter what law or amendment you are in favor of, at the end of the day we are all human beings and we come together to grieve the loss of innocent lives.
We all want to be safe.
We all want to know that our loved ones are safe.
We all want to see an end to the senseless loss of lives - people who we may not know personally, but whose faces remain ingrained in our minds and hearts.
Below is a list of 10 major gun massacres. To every life that was lost in the events listed, as well as those not listed, we will forever honor and never forget you. To the families who have experienced one of the most difficult things in life, we mourn with you and pray for a world where lives will not be lost in this way.
Columbine High School, April 1999 - Two teenage boys shot and killed 12 schoolmates and a teacher before taking their own lives.
Virginia Tech, April 2007- Seung-Hui Cho shot and killed 32 people and wounded 17 before taking his own life.
Binghamton, New York, April 2009 - Jiverly Voong shot and killed 13 and seriously wounded four others at the American Civic Assn., an immigration services center.
Fort Hood, Texas, November 2009 - Major Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 people and injured 32.
Tuscon Arizona, January 2011 - Jared Lee Loughner shoots Arizona representative Gabrielle Giffords, kills six and leaves 11 wounded.
Aurora, Colorado, July 2012 - James Holmes killed 12 and wounded 58 in a shooting during the midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises."
Oak Creek, Wisconsin, August 2012 - Wade Michael Page shot and killed six people inside a Sikh temple.
Sandy Hook Elementary School, December 2012 - Adam Lanza forced his way into the school and killed 20 first graders and six adults.
Charleston, South Carolina, June 2015 - Dylann Roof killed nine people inside a historic black church in Charleston.
Pulse Orlando Nightclub, June 2016 - Omar Mateen shot and killed 49 and left 50 wounded.
May all the victims rest peacefully and remain with us always.
* Please note that these tragic shootings affect us all. They occur in all states, to all religions and to all ages*
