Heartsick
5 10 2006I can’t remember a day when I don’t think to myself “this is a beautiful world and it’s great to be in it.” Daily, I find so many things to be thankful for and I’m sure most people can do the same.
Yet, thinking about the horrible tragedy in the Amish Community, ( the latest addition to the dismal roll call of school shootings) where this time five little girls, aged between five and thirteen were brutally executed, it is hard not to think about the evil there is in this world as well. To me, the killer who did this is beyond sick. That is too kind. While reports are busy focusing on all the seeming “reasons” for his terrible act I can only think of the victims and the grieving families and can’t possibly imagine how they feel. Yet instead of turning in on their grief the community has reached out to forgive the killer’s family. Forgiveness being fundamental to their faith they are living it fully.
What’s worse? The shooting - or the fact that the killer actually went into a peaceful and simple community intent on committing his crime? Some stories say that his intention had actually been to rape the children but that, flustered by the police arriving so quickly, he shot them instead.
It is beyond sick. It is beyond crazy loser. It’s just evil.
As for guns? People are saying - again - that guns should be banned. Many are asking how many school shootings it’s going to take before the US does something about its gun laws. Others are saying that it’s not fault of the gun laws. The argument rages back and forth along with the inevitable comparisons between the US and other countries (where guns are not allowed).
Personally, I think it is too late. The genie is out of the bottle as far as the United States and guns is concerned. I think even if guns were banned (I don’t believe it is realistic for the US to ban them at this stage, however restrictions should be considered), if someone wants to get a gun, they will - along with rounds of ammunition. Easily. Just like this killer did. It’s possible for anyone to get hold of a gun - if they are determined. Yes, in Canada and the UK too. Let’s not kid ourselves on that one.
At least he shot himself. At least he spared the Amish community the pain of a public trial - where, to add to their pain, they would only have to face more intrusion into their community and their way of life by the media, the court process, and the world at large.
Meanwhile, we’ll await the next school shooting. I doubt anyone would argue that it’s a question of when, rather than if. It even appears that people are even becoming immune to these shootings… oh, just another school shooting. Not long before it’s no longer front page news.
Such is our world today.
A truly sad situation BG. This incident in Pennsylvania wasn’t the first. It was; what? The second within a week? Terrible.
As for the gun issue. Let me say right up front, that I am anti-gun. True, that it’s one of the rights granted by the US Constitution, but I don’t have to like it. I don’t think that guns ill ever be outlawed in the states. However, even if that were to happen, as you pointed out. If someone wants to get a weapon, they will find a way to do it.
I am not a religious person, far from it, but I have to admire the strength of this communities’ faith in immediately reaching out in forgiveness to the family of the shooter.
With reference to guns, their ownership is tightly governed in the UK but we still have gun crime. Admittedly a lot less but it still happens. Whilst I agree that tighter regulations for guns would be a good thing, I think there are more fundamental issues that need addressing. But now I’m entering cloud cuckoo land and wishful thinking central!
Knife crime is so much bigger than gun crime in UK, I reckon if America ever did change it’s policy on guns that it would only turn to Knife Crime.
I don’t know how that Amish community found it in their hearts to forgive what happened. I know it would make me question my faith considerably.
My late dad liked to hunt. He was also a cop at one time, and I always resented that he never taught me how to use a gun. However, I do believe stricter gun laws need to be in place. There are extra rules in place to make it harder to purchase a gun in the USA, but only if you are buying one through a legitimate gun shop. I could go out right now and ask around on the underground market about getting a gun, and probably have it before the end of the day. “Hot” guns often end up, not only in the hands of the unstable, but in the hands of those who do not know how to use one. A gun ban is a nice thought, but as long as underground merchants are ready and able to supply guns and other illegal products, I don’t see how a ban would work.