So many emotions fill me when I hear stories like this. I have been watching a lot of the news today to learn as much information as is being provided. I am of course like everyone else devastated by the tragedy that occurred. the majority of victims being children makes it worse, but those adults that have died can not be forgotten either.
While I feel no sympathy for the dead shooter, as he committed unspeakably horrible acts, I am upset by the fact that these sort of events continually happen and nothing is done. Like most people here, I am a gun advocate, and believe it is possible that less people would have died if it was legal to conceal carry in schools. However, I can not hang my hat on that notion. Assuming the staff had the right to carry, it does not mean they would have, or that the shots would hit the shooter. A person with a mental illness is not going to be discouraged from going on a shooting rampage because they believe those around may have weapons.
As a member of the health care industry, what bothers me is the country's lack of support for the mentally ill. I am not concerned about how we keep the mentally ill from buying guns, but how we keep them from having thoughts of harming others. I have worked in the mental health industry in New Orleans and it is sadly lacking resources, as are many places around this county. We consider it an issue not worth dealing with, look at Southeastern. Many people judge those with mental illness differently than those with other illness, even thought they all need medical treatment. I obviously know nothing about this shooter and have to desire to defend him, or his actions. I only mean to say that many people with mental illnesses are afraid to ask for help do to the fear of being shunned or looked down on.
I didn't mean to go on a rant, but I do hate when the media overplays the gun issue and loves to throw around the words high capacity, assaut weapon and high powered. It is simple to blame the tool, but overlook the source of the problem. It is how so many cities, like New Orleans blames the guns for the murder rate, when the real problem is education and opportunity.
Anyone is of course welcome to disagree with me, but those are simply me fews on the subject. I would like to end by saying that my thought are with all of the children and family of the community.
While I feel no sympathy for the dead shooter, as he committed unspeakably horrible acts, I am upset by the fact that these sort of events continually happen and nothing is done. Like most people here, I am a gun advocate, and believe it is possible that less people would have died if it was legal to conceal carry in schools. However, I can not hang my hat on that notion. Assuming the staff had the right to carry, it does not mean they would have, or that the shots would hit the shooter. A person with a mental illness is not going to be discouraged from going on a shooting rampage because they believe those around may have weapons.
As a member of the health care industry, what bothers me is the country's lack of support for the mentally ill. I am not concerned about how we keep the mentally ill from buying guns, but how we keep them from having thoughts of harming others. I have worked in the mental health industry in New Orleans and it is sadly lacking resources, as are many places around this county. We consider it an issue not worth dealing with, look at Southeastern. Many people judge those with mental illness differently than those with other illness, even thought they all need medical treatment. I obviously know nothing about this shooter and have to desire to defend him, or his actions. I only mean to say that many people with mental illnesses are afraid to ask for help do to the fear of being shunned or looked down on.
I didn't mean to go on a rant, but I do hate when the media overplays the gun issue and loves to throw around the words high capacity, assaut weapon and high powered. It is simple to blame the tool, but overlook the source of the problem. It is how so many cities, like New Orleans blames the guns for the murder rate, when the real problem is education and opportunity.
Anyone is of course welcome to disagree with me, but those are simply me fews on the subject. I would like to end by saying that my thought are with all of the children and family of the community.
