Guns, Shootings and Violence

Nervousness and anxiety begins to seep through my skin as I watch the results of violent behavior and capabilities portrayed on the news. Everywhere I turn, I hear about some form of tragedy, and as the stories pile up, it gets worse and worse. In the course of this last week, I heard about 3 or 4 separate occasions wherein which a young teenager was either involved in or simply exposed to a shooting incident. News like this isn't necessarily new, but I can't help but feel surprised each time I hear something like this happening again.

The first heart-breaking incident occured at Columbine High School back in 1999, which I wouldn't classify as a shooting, but rather a massacre, during which two male teenagers went about shooting several students and teachers, killing most, injuring a few, and finally committing suicide. Another similar incident like this took place in 2007 at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the state of Virginia, where a senior English Major with an anxiety disorder went on a shooting rampage and killed 32 people in the process. This too, ended in suicide. 

Just in this last week alone, however, there have been three instances involving shootings: (1) the Arizona shooting, (2) the Gardena High "accident" and (3) the shooting of an LAUSD Police Officer near El Camino High. Whether the shooting was a result of political differences, an "accident" or just pure hatred, however, the end result is all the same- the death of innocent people. 



Police Officers trying to maintain the situation at El Camino
Real High School, where an LAUSD Police Officer was shot.



The main problem with all of this is that children as young as nine (9) are being exposed to this kind of lifestyle. You hear about it on the news once and call it a tragedy. But to hear it repeatedly on almost a daily basis just makes it commonality. It shouldn't be okay for the younger generation, or better, the future leaders of America, to see occurrences such as these and find them normal, common and expectant. The future of America is practically in their hands, and all they are being exposed to is what these troubled youth's may believe to be an easy solution.

I can't help but ask where all this can stem from? Why is it so easy for someone to walk into a store, pick out a gun, purchase it and walk out? Why is security lacking in so many important places? (i.e schools) History has taught us to be more cautious, but it feels like after the pain of a major tragedy fades, we all go back to square one.

I am torn because I can't seem to find the root for this kind of evil, and as I sit here contemplating, I find myself overwhelmed with questions, thoughts, and concerns. I can't find the right words to express how awful all of this is, and if not prevented, how horrific and depressing it can truly be.  Have we not learned from our mistakes? How many people need to die before we tighten the ropes on security? Why are so many kids in high school troubled, secluded, etc. and why do they find that killing is the only way to be heard [only to then, kill themselves]...? Is there no other way? Can't we offer help?

No one is alone in this world, and everyone is dealing with some sort of dilemma. I guess it just depends on how a person chooses to react to or solve his or her problem. There are many solutions, but killing is for damn sure not one of them.

So many questions, and yet... no answers. Will it ever get better? 

 

In the end, all that is really left is grief