It's so easy to hate the shooter but he was an isolated, young man who's relationship w/his mom is strange to say the least. After high school it's like he dropped off the face of the earth w/ occasionally visits into town and the local firing range w/his mother. The isolation of this young man w/his mother needs to be deeply analyzed because it's that relationship that caused him to snap. Someone else's love ones had to pay the ultimate price for it. I am mother of two boys and it's not healthy for a man to be so close to his mother that he has no outlets-no friends or autonomy...or ever allowed to grow up and mature into his own person. My heart breaks knowing that children and their teachers and principal had to pay the price for whatever plagued this young man. Gun control and more mental health services need to be MANDATORY! PERIOD! #U.S.GOV'T-DOSOMETHINGNOW!
We need to address both gun control and mental health. But this case is differant than most. Here's my take on it...The family is very financially secure and the mother obviously loved her children very much. Think about this.. He did exhibit mental problems to the point of her taking him out of public schoool and home schooling him. For some reason that we'll never know she kept him out of the mental health care radar. So in this case improvements in gun control and the mental health system would probably not provided clues into this tragedy. What I fear is that this young have a very tragic experiance at this school when he attended. There has to be a reason he choose this school. God bless the children and families that are dirrectly impacted by this. Hopefully as a nation, we will demand change in both gun control and how we view mental diseases.
As a Canadian, help me understand, why do you need to have a gun? To get off killing innocent animals and even worse, innocent children? I just don't get it! Does it make you feel safe? Help me understand why you need to have a Bushmaster .223 caliber Remington semiautomatic weapon, a Sig Sauer 9 mm? What are you protecting yourself from?
Rapists in my case. I am a pesco-vegetarian liberal who loves Canada and think you guys have a lot of things right... more so than America at this point in time. However, I am pro-right to carry. I am just over 100 pounds and have been sexually assaulted three times. I would generally consider myself extremely non-violent. However, I believe it would be irresponsible of me not to have a means of protecting myself. I used to be extremely pro-gun control and had to do a lot of research on the topic before I switched sides. First of all, legal concealed carriers DO prevent crimes. Just a few days before the Newton tragedy, this took place in Oregon. http://www.examiner.com/article/media-blackout-oregon-mall-shooter-was-stopped-by-an-armed-citizen
Additionally, while I am very far from a doomsday conspiracy theorist, I think it is unwise to trust law enforcement officials to be the only people with guns. Examples: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072702331.html This one is particularly good because there is a bar graph of violent crimes committed by cops vs. the general population: http://www.copblock.org/tag/police-misconduct-statistics/
Also, it is upsetting to me that so many people talk about the statistics regarding gun related crimes in other countries instead of looking at VIOLENT crimes. Mass murders happen without guns: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_attacks_in_China_(2010%E2%80%932012) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:School_bombings
Finally, I have done this a couple times and each time I have gotten slightly different results based on the site I have referenced, but each time the conclusion is the same. I am running short on time, at the moment, so I will leave this to you. Google a graph showing violent crime rates for the UK and the US from 1990 to 2010. Calculate the percent change for each country over the past 20 years, keeping in mind that the UK banned firearms in 1997. I generally find that our crime has decreased about 2.4% and their's has decreased 1.7%.
So, do I love guns? No. Do I think that they are unfortunately necessary? Yes. Do I want to leave my safety in the hands of the government and law enforcement? Yes, but I really can't afford to.
@dswinson--That's because you live in a civilized country, like most of the world. Since 1980 this country (US) has lost its mind. We have turned into a violent, gun crazed, divided country on its way toward third world status. Do you have room for one more in Canada? There is no reason why a private citizen needs an assault rifle.
Oh, Father, this is so terribly painful. It hurts so much. The poor babies had to go through this terrible terror. I cannot stop cruying. Oh Father Yahweh...oh this hurts so much...the pain is unbearable.... But I know who is behind all this---Satan. Satan is using rejected, wounded, tormented people to bring hell on earth. We cannot reject a person because that person is mentally challenged, or because of his/her color. We got to embrace them, and make them feel part of society. This is a lesson for all of us. We have to introduce God/Christ to our children. They need love in their souls. Love heals. Love makes us stronger. The author of love is God. We got to reflect and make intelligent choices. The wise and intelligent choice is God.
Very short term solution: train the school workers, teachers, to be able to handle firearm, and have firearm lockers in the school compound.
Think about it, how many would die if the staffs, the teachers, the workers, know how to handle firearm, and have access to firearm lockers? Half the total sum of victims, 13 perhaps? 12 children + one killer? Having some means to fight back is much better than letting the perpetrator to have his 'home run' isn't it?
Think about it more carefully. Teacher on one side of bad guy, students on the other side. Bullets flying through the air, not professional soldiers or police, who have their share of "friendly fire" but gentle, intellectual teacher, taught to be compassionate and understanding, not killers--how many more kids would be hit? Now think of every school, nationwide, sitting there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, holidays too, with lockers full of guns? Are you kidding? People raid armories for guns...schools, with any kind of cases that a shaking, tearful teacher could open in time to access weapons, would be targets for every criminal, psychopath and prankster. This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life.
I agree with others, not is not the time to waste on legislation on gun control that will take years to propigate, What needs to be done imediatly is to find a way to deter anyone from entering another school and committing another act such as this. Way too much focus is being directed towards the reason why this person did this, what weapons were used and no one seems to be focussed on how this kid dressed like Rambo was able to park get out of his car and make his way to the entrance of this school and then enter with no interferance until he was inside? Especially in the wake of Columbine and so many other incodents in our country that have involved schools in recent years. I think the biggest part of what happend is not why this kid did this or what his motive was, but why he wasnt approached by anyone until he was well inside the school. The focus right now should be on how we can better protect and return our schools into safe places for learning. If that emphises is not applied we will see this again for sure, its happend before, it just wasnt kindergardeners and 1st graders that were the victims in the past. This was forseeable and should have been prevented and gun bans and gun legislation will never protect our children from this happing in some other place and time. My heart felt condolances to the families of these victims, there are no words that can take away the grief and pain you are feeling, just know that you are not alone.
I am writing on behave of the families and the individuals who deserve an educated and unbiased voice.
Nearly a week after the tragedy, there is still speculation, instead of documented facts about the actual facts behind what Adam Lanza's medical and mental health diagnosis recods state. The media continues to rely on the unperfession's to speculate, and arm chair guess at speculated symptoms.
In one report 60 minutes, with the general media continues to targete a part of our common population that already struggles with acceptance by peers as well as self advocacy in reaching their full potential. Young adults who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their parents and those that work to support them, face a daily struggle that few understand and many disregard. Higher education is denied, employment marginalized, and social interaction discouraged, causing isolation, one of the cruelest human condition, especially when it is caused by ignorance and bigotry.
The tragedy of Newtown is an unthinkable horror, causing unspeakable pain and sorrow. As soon as we blame a diagnosis, a race or even a religion for a horrific crime rather then the criminal(s) we are mimicking their actions of hate. Bigotry is never the answer to the questions of "how or why" such a tragedy could happen.
Any of our creditable national news agency, have a responsibility to educate, and inform rather then create a bias that will condemn so many families and individuals. My sincere hope is that all Media will provide an accurate, factual, and responsible report on Autism Spectrum Disorder; a neurological based disorder. Equally misunderstood is the aray of mental illness that should not just be blamed, or continue to be shunned and neglected. Rather we should be focusing the needed attention, understanding and support to prevent another similar event.
My absolute hope is that this travesty of loss of life, will bring to light the huge examples of struggling parents and families, individual isolation and our communities lack of awareness or acceptance, speaking to the absolute need for All to realize that it truly takes a village to raise, support and empower each human being, young and old! Regardless of social, economic, educational or health status.
Respectfully, S Swett MS, ASD Coach and Consultant, Concord New Hampshire
How selfish can someone be to ask the public to let them keep their guns, when little kids were taken their life away for one of them? The right to own a gun cannot be more important than the right to live and be safe, especially if you are only six year old.
PS: Gun owners don't over look the fact that the gun enthusiast mother was killed by her own son with her own gun.
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God bless the children and families that are dirrectly impacted by this. Hopefully as a nation, we will demand change in both gun control and how we view mental diseases.
However, I am pro-right to carry. I am just over 100 pounds and have been sexually assaulted three times. I would generally consider myself extremely non-violent. However, I believe it would be irresponsible of me not to have a means of protecting myself.
I used to be extremely pro-gun control and had to do a lot of research on the topic before I switched sides.
First of all, legal concealed carriers DO prevent crimes. Just a few days before the Newton tragedy, this took place in Oregon.
http://www.examiner.com/article/media-blackout-oregon-mall-shooter-was-stopped-by-an-armed-citizen
Additionally, while I am very far from a doomsday conspiracy theorist, I think it is unwise to trust law enforcement officials to be the only people with guns.
Examples:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072702331.html
This one is particularly good because there is a bar graph of violent crimes committed by cops vs. the general population:
http://www.copblock.org/tag/police-misconduct-statistics/
Also, it is upsetting to me that so many people talk about the statistics regarding gun related crimes in other countries instead of looking at VIOLENT crimes.
Mass murders happen without guns:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_attacks_in_China_(2010%E2%80%932012)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:School_bombings
Finally, I have done this a couple times and each time I have gotten slightly different results based on the site I have referenced, but each time the conclusion is the same.
I am running short on time, at the moment, so I will leave this to you. Google a graph showing violent crime rates for the UK and the US from 1990 to 2010. Calculate the percent change for each country over the past 20 years, keeping in mind that the UK banned firearms in 1997. I generally find that our crime has decreased about 2.4% and their's has decreased 1.7%.
So, do I love guns? No. Do I think that they are unfortunately necessary? Yes. Do I want to leave my safety in the hands of the government and law enforcement? Yes, but I really can't afford to.
But I know who is behind all this---Satan. Satan is using rejected, wounded, tormented people to bring hell on earth.
We cannot reject a person because that person is mentally challenged, or because of his/her color. We got to embrace them, and make them feel part of society. This is a lesson for all of us.
We have to introduce God/Christ to our children. They need love in their souls. Love heals. Love makes us stronger. The author of love is God. We got to reflect and make intelligent choices. The wise and intelligent choice is God.
Think about it, how many would die if the staffs, the teachers, the workers, know how to handle firearm, and have access to firearm lockers? Half the total sum of victims, 13 perhaps? 12 children + one killer? Having some means to fight back is much better than letting the perpetrator to have his 'home run' isn't it?
Nearly a week after the tragedy, there is still speculation, instead of documented facts about the actual facts behind what Adam Lanza's medical and mental health diagnosis recods state. The media continues to rely on the unperfession's to speculate, and arm chair guess at speculated symptoms.
In one report 60 minutes, with the general media continues to targete a part of our common population that already struggles with acceptance by peers as well as self advocacy in reaching their full potential. Young adults who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their parents and those that work to support them, face a daily struggle that few understand and many disregard. Higher education is denied, employment marginalized, and social interaction discouraged, causing isolation, one of the cruelest human condition, especially when it is caused by ignorance and bigotry.
The tragedy of Newtown is an unthinkable horror, causing unspeakable pain and sorrow. As soon as we blame a diagnosis, a race or even a religion for a horrific crime rather then the criminal(s) we are mimicking their actions of hate. Bigotry is never the answer to the questions of "how or why" such a tragedy could happen.
Any of our creditable national news agency, have a responsibility to educate, and inform rather then create a bias that will condemn so many families and individuals. My sincere hope is that all Media will provide an accurate, factual, and responsible report on Autism Spectrum Disorder; a neurological based disorder. Equally misunderstood is the aray of mental illness that should not just be blamed, or continue to be shunned and neglected. Rather we should be focusing the needed attention, understanding and support to prevent another similar event.
My absolute hope is that this travesty of loss of life, will bring to light the huge examples of struggling parents and families, individual isolation and our communities lack of awareness or acceptance, speaking to the absolute need for All to realize that it truly takes a village to raise, support and empower each human being, young and old! Regardless of social, economic, educational or health status.
Respectfully, S Swett MS, ASD Coach and Consultant, Concord New Hampshire
PS: Gun owners don't over look the fact that the gun enthusiast mother was killed by her own son with her own gun.