Rising Concerns: School Shooting Fallout and Calls for Gun Control

Children and teachers in school getting their day’s activities underway. Suddenly, someone walks into the building armed to the teeth and starts shooting. Now, under the rules of war, children and civilians are to be considered non-targets. Soldiers are trained carefully NOT to shoot in the direction of non-combatants. Doing so is a war crime, and, if proven, carries a possible death penalty.

During the Vietnam “conflict” (really a war), a young lieutenant named William Calley led his squad into the village of My Lai (pronounced “Mee Lie”). Because of his direction, every citizen in the village was killed. It is known in the history books now as the My Lai massacre. Calley was later put on trial, convicted, and served a long sentence in prison for what he did. I don’t remember all the details surrounding that now, but I remember the horror of what happened at the hands of the American military. You just do not shoot at civilians.

Up in Winder, GA, which is a solid 100 miles from the northern end of District 29, the alleged shooter/arrested suspect is a 14-year-old male. Because of his age, the news outlets haven’t released his name, where he lived, or anything else. The Barrow County DA has already given a statement that he will be taken to trial as an adult. I have mixed emotions about that. (More later.)

Two students and two teachers were killed on site. Several others were taken to hospitals. Some are in critical condition meaning there could be more fatalities. Another issue is the severe emotional and mental trauma to the students, staff, and faculty at that school. Nobody goes through this unmarked. I can also tell you without doubt that the first responders and the trauma teams will have nightmares for years. I’ve worked in hospitals during major crises like this. You carry it with you for the rest of your life. It’s not something you can go get a shower and wash off. It will always be there.

Several things that I need to say:

1. This did not need to happen in the first place.
2. Somebody failed to lock up those guns and the ammunition in separate places and keep the keys with them. Why do I say that? That kid is too young in the State of Georgia to even have his hands on one of those weapons. Somewhere along the line, an adult (or more) failed to perform this simple act of safety, which in my book makes them just as guilty as he is alleged to be.
3. An adult had to purchase those weapons and ammunition. 14 is too young to do that in this State.
4. That kid is too young to even DRIVE in Georgia. So how the heck did he even get there and who drove him there with the guns? They had to know what he was carrying. You can only put so much in a backpack.
5. Who sold those guns to start with?
6. Which manufacturer made them? Ditto for ammunition that no child should have their hands on.
7. Motive will come later, but I do want to know why.

The entire situation has left me feeling furious. I’m incensed at lawmakers who lack any semblance of backbone. It frustrates me that gun manufacturers have been immune to liability claims for so long. And the idea that someone would consider it wise to keep an assault weapon in their home is beyond my comprehension.

It’s distressing that four lives were lost unnecessarily because individuals were too self-centered, prioritizing their own pleasure over the safety and well-being of others. Merely desiring something enjoyable doesn’t entitle one to it, nor does the absence of it diminish one’s life. Adults understand the distinction between needs, wants, and luxuries. Needs, such as food, water, and shelter, are vital for survival. Wants and luxuries, on the other hand, are additional desires. Assault rifles, for instance, are not necessities but extravagances.

Claiming the need for self-defense is not convincing when home invasions by a group of assailants are extremely rare. If one can operate a shotgun or handgun, that should suffice. The real concern is whether one has ever had to discharge a firearm under pressure, a situation even most police officers rarely encounter. It’s questionable to assume that someone without formal training or practice in such skills could effectively and accurately use a firearm in a high-stress scenario.

The prospect of a 14-year-old male being tried as an adult is deeply troubling. Prisons are infamous for the victimization of young inmates. It’s conceivable that it may take the District Attorney around 12 to 24 months to bring this case before a judge, which means the youth could be 15 or 16 years old when facing prison time. This age is still far too young for the environment of an adult male prison. Ultimately, the decision rests with the judge and jury, although it’s a situation that invites concern and speculation.

My suggestions for this? I’ll give you a few that we could, conceivably, push through. The rest I’ll save for later.

• Mandating gun safes for each firearm owned is essential. Each safe should be secured with a key lock, and the keys must be stored separately from the safe. Concealing keys within the home is not advisable, as they can be discovered and utilized, undermining the intent of security.
• Mandatory national background checks should be required for all sales without exception. The results, along with the sales receipt, must be submitted to an oversight office, likely in partnership with the Sheriff’s office. All records should be available for state review. The penalty for non-compliance would be the forfeiture of the weapon involved.
• When a minor commits a shooting offense, it is also necessary to hold the responsible adult accountable. It’s time to emphasize the importance of responsible parenting.

That should do it for now. I want our schools, shopping malls, theaters, and streets to be safe for us to enjoy. These are just a few steps in the correct direction.

The assertion that more guns lead to increased safety is contradicted by the rise in shooting deaths. It is evident that increased gun ownership correlates with decreased safety.

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