The only place we are safe, is our parents arms.

[bbecker]

I never questioned my safety in school till the columbine shooting, I now question my safety on a college campus where our parents leave us in the colleges walls of protection and always expect us to come back home in the same condition they left us in but more educated.

I'm scared. And I resort in saying that "the only places we are really safe, is our parents arms".

:-( RIP VT victims.

[Atlmom]

a writer once said, "ships are safest in the harbour, but that is not what ships are for." We all must leave the safe feelings of home in order to grow into adulthood and learn what makes us special. I know everyone is feeling a little shaken by today. Just know that all of the adults around you are there for you.. talk to someone and your classmates. If I was there, I would give you a hug and say, you are safe.

[Opie ofMaybery2]

Yet there are parents that aren't safe either. Always be aware of your surroundings. Know your exits and enterances. Look at people. Listen.

It is a very sad day.

[-Allmusic-]

Even in your parents' arms, you are not always safe.

Life isn't safe. It is full of risk, but a life lived in fear is not a life worth living.

Indulge yourself in fear for today, because it is a scary day. But know that these events are rare; it is much more likely that someone you know will die of binge drinking than from the bullets of a random shooter.

Hope you feel better tomorrow.

[weenie]

Take action for gun control. It's what Columbine did for me. All kids deserve to be safe.

[kelsmom]

This is a very sad day, indeed. However, consider that you still live in a very safe country. Think of the children all over the world who witness violence on a regular basis. While the events at VT are terrible, realize that we are still horrified by such events. That is a good thing ... it means that they are uncommon enough to elicit such strong feelings.

Understand that anything can happen to anyone at any time. Live your life in such a way that you would not regret anything if something were to happen to you or your loved ones. A kindergartner was killed by a flag pole that was felled by high winds today. Stuff happens, by chance or by the hand of others. Be careful, but do not be too afraid. You still have to live ... or life isn't worth living.

I know it's tough, but try to find the happiness in the beauty around you. Enjoy your life!

[weenie]

^ Unfortunately, in my city, it is not an uncommon occurrence for many of the kids here. 38 murders under the age of 29 last year within the city limits, 23 of those under the age of 19. Violence, and the fear of it, is woven into many kids' lives. Because this disproportionately affects black kids, no one really cares...Statistically some Americans are clearly safer than others.

[kelsmom]

You are correct, of course, weenie. I certainly don't mean to ignore the very real violence that goes on in our own country. While it is, statistically speaking, still "rare" ... if it's common in one's own life, it's NOT rare.

My heart goes out when I see pictures of young children sitting amid the rubble & bodies of a market that was just bombed ... or when I see pictures of young boys carrying machine guns ... BUt in our country, the poor black children who are killed in drive-bys or as the result of drug activity by those who live with/near them do seem to be swept under the rug. I don't want to minimize that.

I advocate living life & not worrying too much (worry enough to be careful) so that young people will understand that it IS still a wonderful world. But I guess I should also realize that they are on the cusp of adulthood ... so they should also be concerned enough to try to understand how they might be able to affect the future. Learn about mental illness & what our society can do to help deal with this issue. Learn about the root causes of poverty and try to figure out ways to help eradicate it. There are many ways young people might be able to be a part of the solution to the violence that does surround us. I hope those who are worried will try to figure out how they might be able to positively influence the future.

[WashDad]

(Except for this year) something less than 30 students a year are killed on college campuses. More than 1,700 die in and around colleges due to alcohol abuse. If you want to stamp out something dangerous, work on alcohol abuse -- it's more than 500 times as dangerous as guns to college students.

You are just about as likely to choke to death on a piece of food as be murdered on campus.

[harrygoldstien]

the only places we are really safe, is our parents arms

my heart goes to all the families of those who suffered. however, i feel that these cases are very rare, and we have to accept them as a part of today's ever growing society. Change of decisions based on these incidents should be avoided. The sacrifices of these gallant students should serve as a reminder, and make us more united in the effort of maintaining peace...

RIP VA Tech.

[HeliMomNYC]

William & Mary just sent S a flyer about all its distinguished graduates, and one name caught my eye...Sarah Kemp Brady, class of '64 and gun control activist. I'm in complete agreement with weenie's post above.

[chuckdvc]

Gun bill gets shot down by panel
HB 1572, which would have allowed handguns on college campuses, died in subcommittee.

By Greg Esposito
381-1675

A bill that would have given college students and employees the right to carry handguns on campus died with nary a shot being fired in the General Assembly.

House Bill 1572 didn't get through the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety. It died Monday in the subcommittee stage, the first of several hurdles bills must overcome before becoming laws.

The bill was proposed by Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County, on behalf of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Gilbert was unavailable Monday and spokesman Gary Frink would not comment on the bill's defeat other than to say the issue was dead for this General Assembly session.

Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus."

Del. Dave Nutter, R-Christiansburg, would not comment Monday because he was not part of the subcommittee that discussed the bill.

Most universities in Virginia require students and employees, other than police, to check their guns with police or campus security upon entering campus. The legislation was designed to prohibit public universities from making "rules or regulations limiting or abridging the ability of a student who possesses a valid concealed handgun permit ... from lawfully carrying a concealed handgun."

The legislation allowed for exceptions for participants in athletic events, storage of guns in residence halls and military training programs.

Last spring a Virginia Tech student was disciplined for bringing a handgun to class, despite having a concealed handgun permit. Some gun owners questioned the university's authority, while the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police came out against the presence of guns on campus.

In June, Tech's governing board approved a violence prevention policy reiterating its ban on students or employees carrying guns and prohibiting visitors from bringing them into campus facilities.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-50658

[siserune]

Survival tips:
1. Carry a weapon.
2. Arrive late, leave early. Office murders tend to happen near the beginning or end of the shift.
3. Sit near the exits.
4. Be nice, or else.

[swish14]

Its a shame gun violence is a partisan issue. Unfortunately the NRA has the GOP bought and paid for. More respect the Pres Bush the Greater who resigned from the NRA during commencement speech at W&M in early 90's after Waco and Ruby Ridge. NRA called ATF agents "jack-booted thugs" and Bush finally had enough.

Where are the true leaders today?

[TheDad]

Life isn't safe. It is full of risk, but a life lived in fear is not a life worth living.

Cheers and whistles for AllMusic. We send our children out into the world and always hope (and many pray) that they are returned to us safely, whether from a trip to the store to get a quart of milk or half way around the world to study. Of course there are worries. But we rise above them.