How many more innocents will have to die before someone in the body politic in the US has the balls to say 'this must never happen again', and enacts some legislation to help to achieve that end? There is no reason at all, in my opinion, for any private citizen in a 21st century, first world democracy to own a firearm that can dispense 100 rounds in a short space of time, as was reported in the Sandy Hook incident today. Even that tired, old justification of 'protecting kith, kin and property' doesn't remotely hold water - who do these people claim is going to burgle their house, the fucking Chinese army? The constitutional right to bear arms is a total anachronism. Anyone who purports to need a weapon, especially a powerful, automatic type, should have to prove it, beyond doubt, before they're allowed to own it, and then only be allowed to do so under the most carefully controlled of conditions. Any gun lobbyist who disagrees should be made to justify their reasons to the parents and siblings of any of the children killed today, and explain to the siblings, in particular, why their brother or sister won't be coming home anymore.
Love & best wishes to all
Sammy B
I spent the afternoon with tears in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAs to gun control, I am a flaming liberal who owns many firearms of different types, though nothing that could be construed as an assault weapon (though at least one handgun is the #1 issued military sidearm in the world). That being said, I can't understand why we can limit free speech (you can't yell "fire!" in a crowded theatre, as well as some hate speech being controlled), but there is so much wailing and whining whenever we attempt to limit the private ownership of guns. THAT being said, when you have an individual that is that mentally ill as to wish to kill his own mother AND himself AND 20-odd children would have probably found a way to do it without an assault weapon, if in fact that is what was used (there isn't any confirmation other than a .223 calibre rifle was used - though that is a typical military calibre, more typically known internationally as a 5.56mm).
Who knows. This just sucks. I hope he rots in whatever passes for hell in a fucked up mind such as his.
Peace <3
Jay
Hello Jay
DeleteThere are many things that could be used as lethal weapons, but very few legally accessible to a private citizen, certainly in the UK, that could kill as many people in such a short space of time as appears to have happened in this incident. If this man, mentally ill or not, had been armed with knives, or even a musket, how many of his victims would still be alive tonight? Control is the answer, IMHO, serious control with worthwhile legal teeth to back it up. But, sadly, the 'God 'n' Guns' contingent in your country will almost certainly win, as they always seem to do. And the next massacre, and the one after that, will be the inevitable consequence.
Love & best wishes
Sammy B