Shooting Tragedy at Virginia Tech University: A Solution
Once again nearly everyone all across the United States is outraged,and sadden as they consider the tragic events that took place on the serenely idyllic campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia. On Monday, April 16, 2007 Cho Seung-Hui, who police say is responsible for most of Monday's shootings, and is described by law enforcement investigators as a loner, allegedly took the lives of 32 people during a violent rampage over the campus that lasted several hours. It ended with the shooter killing himself.
We can not deny the largest mass killing by an individual in the history of the nation is outrageous and horrific. We do, however wonder why such tragedies do not occur in other modern civilized countries. Could it be because there is no proliferation of firearms in the countries of Europe, and the continent of Australia that these incidents do not happen as often as in the U.S.?
The only places we've observed incidents of such massive violence is in countries disrupted by war. For example: Iraq, Somalia, the Sudan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, some member countries of the former Soviet Union and Afghanistan.
We suggest a solution to the violence perpetrated from the use of assault weapons. Do Not Sell Them.
On the face of it, this solution seems simple; albeit some proponents of the right to bear arms, members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and their advocates, along with gun manufacturers, will likely protest and disagree with our suggestion.
When you weigh the consequences of assault firearms sales and the indiscriminate use of these weapons by individuals who use them to "settle a score", even the most minor dispute; and the resulting loss of life, especially the lives of our nation's greatest resource our young people versus no assault weapons sales...which would you rather have? Is it really worth it?
That being said, we extend our sincere condolence to the families and friends of the students and faculty who died in the incident, as we also wish a speedy recovery to all who were injured in this senseless, needless drama.
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posted by You Think at 6:35 PM
3 Comments:
There were no "assault weapons" used in this horrific attack.
Shame on you for using this sad moment to promote a personal political agenda.
8:49 PM
All I can think of is all those involved here. When waking up yesterday morning no one could have known how the day was going to be. Perhaps maybe only the person who set out on this tragic venture. I feel for everyone in this...the families of the victims, the victims themselves and the lives not allowed now to continue, the university family, students, survivors, teachers and community of Blacksburg. The police who came upon this campus and what they encountered. All of whom who have to face this aftermath and then attempt to carry on with life. Our nation as we wonder "how do such things happen?" Other families and students around the nation at colleges as they go forward(or attempt to) thinking, "Could this happen here?" Life certainly is not guaranteed every day. The more I hear of the lives of those lost and those who survived and those who were considered heros--it reminds me how we all should and need to make the most of every day.
Condolences to all the families and my sympathies to everyone involved and for those of us who have to watch this anguish we all have on us now. I pray for us all.
11:27 PM
Henry Gandolph here. Thank you to both anonymous writers who commented. You are always welcome to post what you think here.
Responding to the first anonymous writer, I'll call "anonymous number one":
I think a 9mm handgun is more fire power than any person needs for protection outside of being in a combat zone. Let's not quibble over semantics. Don't be pedantic.
Shame on you for not knowing what almost the whole entire world knows about our nation's obsession with guns and violence.
The lack of genuine gun control regulations in this country has sparked criticism of U.S. gun control laws around the world.
World opinion over U.S. gun laws is nearly unanimous: Access To Weapons Increases The Probability of Shootings. It has been widely reported in the world news that other civilized countries feel this way, "There was no sympathy for the view that more guns would have saved lives by enabling students to shoot the assailant."
As for using "this sad moment to promote a personal political agenda", as we used to say up the way, "You need to dig yourself!" Take your head out of the sand.
This is not about a "personal political agenda". It's about saving our nation's most valuable resource, our young people.
H.G.
3:38 AM
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