The mother of a child who, fortunately, was not among those that were killed in the Texas school massacre, made this comment as she dropped her daughter off at daycare. IMO, it sums up even more than the school shooting.
“We live in this fucked up world.”
I’m going to add something here about this recent shooting, even though I know some readers are going to disagree with me. While the knee-jerk reaction is to ban ALL guns, this will NOT stop the crazies because “underground” guns will always be available. Moreover, there are simply too many respectable gun owners that will fight tooth and nail against such action.
What, in my opinion, is needed are gun control measures similar to what Japan has in place. Owning a gun there is a lengthy process of background checks, drug and mental tests, as well as formal instruction. Four other countries (Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and China) also have demanding measures in place, but Japan’s seem to be the strictest.
Such measures would allow legitimate gun owners to purchase guns, but (hopefully) would weed out the crazies.
Unfortunately, the bottom line in any kind of gun control discussion in this country will always be determined by “politics.” Case in point:
Via The Guardian.com: Republicans have been, in the same breath, mourning yesterday’s losses while encouraging more guns.
Ted Cruz, (the US senator from Texas ) said just a few hours after the school attack that the best way to keep kids safe was to have armed law enforcement present on campus.
Addendum: The Associated Press is reporting that the rifles and ammunition that were used in yesterday’s shooting were purchased by the shooter legally. The shooter bought an AR-style rifle from a federally licensed gun dealer in the Uvalde area on May 17. The next day, he purchased 375 rounds of ammunition.
Nan's Notebook 