We have been subjected to the truly awful pictures and story of the killing of 32 people at Virginia Tech. Both opponents and proponents of gun control have cited this incident as evidence that their position on this issue is correct. This is a terrible tragedy and we should grieve as a nation for the loss of innocent youth. Flags are flying at half mast to symbolize our collective grief. However, why do we not also grieve for the 34 people a day that die from accidental gun shots and homicides with guns in the US? Why do we not grieve for the much larger number of people each day that commit suicide by using guns? And also, why do we not grieve for the loss of innocent youth in Iraq, both US and Iraqi? Obviously, I don't have any answers but it seems that unbelievably short sighted policies relating to gun control and to the illegal war are at the center of these issues. As to gun control, the easy access to guns has to contribute. Guns do kill people. Bumper sticker philosophy aside, anybody who says differently is full of shit. If guns were less available, less gun violence would occur. Tragedies like Virginia Tech may still occur, but a lot of the other tragedies might be averted if a child didn't find a loaded gun in the bed side table or a drunk asshole didn't have a loaded Glock in the glove compartment of his truck when his "honor" is impugned.
Let's get real about this issue. The Second Amendment was never intended to allow access to assault rifles or semi-automatic weapons. When the Second Amendment was enacted, the weapons available to the populace were also the only weapons available to the government. To extend that thinking to the situation today, citizens should be able to own and use cruise missiles and nuclear weapons. Aside from the NRA, no reasonable person can assert this position credibly.
Let's do something constructive to stop the loss of young innocent life. Let's deal with guns and stop this insane war.
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