@romanigypsyeyes I live here. Been by these areas for years. Those are all local events. Usually organized by a few local churches or organizations. There is no national outrage. No national presence. No “walkouts.” No college admission responses.
There weren’t big national protests and boycotts after Columbine, or Aurora, or the Giffords shooting, or Sandy Hook. And now there are, finally. That Parkland shooter shot up the kind of school many of our kids went to*, filled with high achievers. Now those high achievers are turning their considerable talents to publicizing an issue they’ve become radicalized about.
Many of them were already researching gun control, as it was this year’s debate topic. Many were already skilled at public speaking, because they’re debate kids and theater kids. They were already working on “Spring Awakening,” a musical with the theme of teenagers having to take things into their own hands because the adults have failed them. They were primed for this moment.
“What about Chicago?” as a response to calls for gun control is almost never an argument offered in good faith by people genuinely concerned about urban gun violence, in my experience. Rather, it’s whataboutism, an attempt to change the subject. I won’t be derailed.
As I’ve said before, my generation was taught to just accept gun violence as part of our daily lives. We normalized shooter drills and are numb to the violence.
The next generation is saying screw that. After 6 year olds were slaughtered, I didn’t think we’d reach a breaking point. Apparently, we finally have.
There is ALWAYS a breaking point. In every single great cultural shift, there is a breaking point where the flood gates come open.
For racial civil rights, it was (for many) the 16th street church bombing. But there had been decades of bloody, deadly fighting before those “not” affected decided to get involved.
For Vietnam, it was the Tet Offensive where it began and the draft that broke the anti-war doors open.
Oh and by the way- violent crime has decreased since the 80s & 90s so overall policies are working (at least somewhat). But mass shootings like the one in Florida have increased dramatically. The kids are saying #NeverAgain and not taking “no” and complacency for an answer.
I guess we must prepare for the uniquely American debate “is it a school shooting if it occurs at a school and students are in danger, or only if students/school employees are shot at/killed.” Keep in mind that the concept of school shooting is such an American concept other languages have no compound word for it and struggle to find an approximation (fusillade dans une école , tiroteos en centres escolares, schiesserei an einer Schule - which basically mean ‘lots of gun shots inside/at a school’ and is often preceded by ‘again’ and followed with ‘in the USA’. I’m pretty sure terms such as 'active shooter’s haven’t entered the common language, in all languages I know the focus is on the guns and what they do. Translations aren’t perfect: in French, fusillade actually means an exchange of shots fired very rapidly, for instance.)
Non American relatives told me “when people cling to an idea they love rather than their kids lives, these people are fanatics.” And we’re so used to shootings it hadn’t occured to me.
I’ll add to the debate: Anyone okay with adding addicts of any age to the list of people who shouldn’t have access to guns till they’ve gone through rehab? And by that I mean no sales, and if validated by judge/doctor, current guns can seized till rehab is completed.
I remember very clearly that when some states allowed guns on campus people said college students get high and/or get drunk so adding a gun to the mix was a very bad idea.
Anyone concerned about Chicago can 1) go march there 2) volunteer for an organization to legislate on guns in the tri state area 3) encourage the creation of organizations 4) fund research on the topic 5) donate to Chicago inner city schools.
Chicago shouldn’t be an excuse for inaction. If someone truly is concerned about the situation in Southside or in Chicago schools, they have venues to volunteer or help.
However there’s a huge difference between most Chicago shootings and school shootings, which should be obvious to all.
Our police chief, in the major American city where I live, strongly supports the March. I bet most police chiefs do, too. Why is it those who claim to support law enforcement don’t listen to their pleas to do something on gun violence right now?
The suspect is now in custody.
I have a serious question. I believe in extended background checks. I don’t believe any one has a reason to own assault weapons and I don’t believe anyone with mental health issues or anyone with a history of violence or domestic abuse should have access to guns.
But how does that work. Mental health issues fall under civil liberties and HIPPA protections. Is it better to give up privacy issues with mental health to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill or is it more important to protect that privacy. I really don’t know.
I’m not sure if this has been mentioned but the suspect is from the Chicago area. And the father that was killed was a law enforcement officer.
It’s so so sad.
“Ok got it. We only need to care about the suburban high achievers. We can look the other way about cities like Chicago. I’ll just wait for CNN to come here and do their "discussion” about gun violence.”
Many of us care deeply about gun violence in inner cities. It’s why we want stronger national gun control laws - so guns from states where anyone with a pulse can buy weapons are changed and don’t get brought into states with strict laws.
@bhs1978, Under the NYS Safe Act psychiatrists are required to report if they believe someone they are treating are a threat to themselves or others.
Lots of problems with NYS’s Safe Act:
https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2016/07/07/massive-noncompliance-with-safe-act/
Yes, there are problems and as with any law there will be law breakers. Doesn’t mean we stop writing laws. Texting while driving is illegal in NYS. People still text and police don’t stop everyone who is doing it. However, I don’t think we should do away with that law just because there is non compliance.
Why have laws making anything illegal if that is the issue?
It’s mindboggling to me that an argument against stricter gun laws is that people will break the law so what’s the point.
So, am I correct in thinking that this guy apparently lived in a college dorm? And am I correct in thinking that this means that apparently he kept a gun and ammunition in his dorm???
I agree with @younghoss
It’s a very complex issue. Until we all agree on that and look at all sides of the issue I think we are spinning in circles. Rather than everyone retreating to their own corners with their one issue let’s talk about all of it.
Gun control, gun safety, mental health, School security, civil liberties, current laws etc. Its tough
The segment I saw on the news this morning said that he got his father’s gun away from him and used it. His father was a cop. Why he needed to have a gun along while he picked up his son from school, who knows.
Let’s be honest here and call it out for what it is. The posts have nothing to do with concern about Chicago. The repeated posts trying to derail this thread and others are based on a concern that gun laws are being made more sensible and are based on buying into the slippery slope argument the NRA designed to stir up fear among gun advocates.
“The segment I saw on the news this morning said that he got his father’s gun away from him and used it. His father was a cop. Why he needed to have a gun along while he picked up his son from school, who knows. “
If it wasn’t so tragic it would be funny.
Bookmarking for whataboutism when “good guys with guns” is trotted out as answer to preventing slaughters.
There are now fully militarized police “guarding” my old high school with assault rifles.
The school is unique in that there are 3 schools, 4 buildings, on one campus. They function as one school and anywhere from 4-5k students are walking between buildings during any given break between classes. These guards are posted all along those passing paths.
I’m extremely afraid of guns and I don’t want to walk past someone with a loaded, held at the ready rifle. Too many cops scare too easily.
I moved back to this city because I wanted my kids to go to the same schools I did. If this is the reality at the high school when my kids go, they’re not going.
I think it’s pretty common for off-duty cops to be armed. I do support gun control, but I’m very supportive of off-duty cops being armed.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Not surprisingly, the conversation quickly went off the rails, and will take more time to clean up than warranted. Closing thread.