The country is still in shock over Friday's massacre in Connecticut and already the debate on gun control has kicked into high gear. But shouldn't we look at the perpetrator and what prompted his actions in the first place? Shouldn't the first debate be about mental health issues and how to address them?
Authorities say Adam Lanza, 20, shot and killed his mother that morning and then drove to Sandy Hook Elementary School to commit the horrific killing spree before killing himself. According to initial reports, Lanza appeared to have had some mental problems prior to the shooting, but it is difficult to say that it would have predicted this.
Authorities also say that the guns Lanza used had been purchased legally, and he was actually stopped from purchasing another rifle by existing gun laws. He appeared to have circumvented school security measures by forcing his way into the building. He appeared intend on doing what he did and gun laws and security measures were unable to stop him.
Gawker.com had a poignant story titled "I am Adam Lanza's Mother." It is authored by someone going by the name of Lisa Long and chronicles her attempts to deal with a child struggling with mental illness. Someone born to her. Someone whom she loves - but is scared of just the same. Her own child - a potential Adam Lanza.
Instead of rushing to address gun laws, shouldn't the mental health system be the first issue that needs to be addressed?
I think we also need to ask what has changed in the last 30-40 years. I'm no expert, but it seems pretty obvious that the increasing violence in video games and movies, combined with the ease of purchasing semi-automatic handguns and assault weapons, are factors. I accept that some people feel that they need a handgun for protection, and I accept that some people enjoy killing animals, but I don't know why anyone needs a semi-automatic weapon unless he/she hopes for an opportunity to use it on another human being one day. If that person were my neighbor, I would feel very uneasy. I think these weapons should only be in the hands of police and military personnel.
The POTUS is not our spiritual leader, but he is a Christian, which guides his conscience. Judge not, lest ye be judged.
If you have ever seen a mother try to get help for her mentally ill child you would understand just how backwards our country is. We have more crime than any other civilized country. When we had state run mental hospitals they were horrible with shock treatments, straight jackets, medical testing.. we need a descent health care system. As for guns. Guns aren't the problem but high power weapons and the ease in which people obtain them is. We need the Brady Bill, we need a system of checks and balances to regulate who is buying arms. I too am a Christian, as a matter of fact it was God who showed me that it wasn't guns but our lack of care for the mentally ill. God is here, he is showing us we need to care for our children and our mentally ill.
It comes down to: “How much of the government are you willing let control you?” It is the 2nd Amendment that protects all the others. Restricting legal responsible ownership of any weapon only lessens the importance of the 2nd Amendment. Enforcement of current laws, maybe adding 5 years to any sentence that an illegal weapon is used, would provide a greater reduction of innocent deaths than restricting AR-15s. But I forget, liberals do not like putting criminals in prison. So am I worried about a tyrant taking away my guns and liberty? No!! It’s because we have the Second!
Don't worry just like smoking, drinking and driving, they are well on their way to full participation.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/444016/bushmaster-ar-15-pulled-from-walmart-website-manufacturer-to-be-sold/#5S84uMReKmZG5Q5L.99
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting_n_2300831.html It is deplorable that the MSM is using this to advance their own agenda. Here is a NY Daily News story that shows a picture of the Bushmaster AR-15 in the "weapons used photo, then, in the text, says the AR-15 was left in the back-seat of the car. It is pretty easy to see what is going on here: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ct-school-shooter-made-combat-weapon-article-1.1220431
The mother had already stated that he was burning himself and that she he was getting hard to handle. Studies show homeless people who commit crimes and taken to hospitals turn out to suffer from schizophrenia but were left on their own (due to the way the law is written) to take their own meds. Of course, in a manic state, they don't and end up on the streets. A bill like this would prevent that. Sad all the way around and the aclu continue to be responsible for this type of thing getting knocked down.