looks like I am going back on my word and am up for another post or ten. This thread IMO has been a very good vehicle to offer opinions. I believe there are many things we can do to try an prevent this sort of thing but I will say that we will never eliminate the problem. This is a recent event and we become knee jerk, than we loose focus and nothing happens.
Here are a few suggestions, how about a national exercise of gun owners securing their weapons in the home to try an prevent kids from attaining the weapons. Also a strong lesson on how to store amo in a secure box. Possibly require new gun owner to take a test on gun storage and amo storage. This practice may account for preventing a % of fatalities and lessining that % is a good thing. We offer atv, snowmobile, auto and cycle safety classes so how about requiring education on the subject and no possession till the requirement is passed. Again this will only prevent a percentage but it's a way to help. How about requiring parents with special needs or mental health children to be required to do the same education classes. We can do much better with a broad awareness of the potential disaster. Many gun and amo cases now are indestructible so how about a requirement to own the proper storage unit to prevent irresponsibility usage of the weapon. It will cost us something but it is something most of us can do and life is worth it.
We have a system in place for a legal limit of alcohol in the blood while driving a motor vehicle and yet we have so many people being killed by drunk drivers. My point is that it is impossible to stop irresponsible behavior but we can place restrictions on high incidents of death to decrease the numbers but first we need to admit that we cannot control these things. We have good intentions but totally unrealistic to look at the gun itself as the problem.
We can increase the punishment for people that commit crimes with guns like myself and others have stated.
We can strongly promote our volunteer programs for responsible adults to invest, talk and educate children who seem to strugle in life (big brother, big sister program and others.)
We can support our local churches by attending services and taking our children to listen with the hope of instilling strong morality. My son married less than a year ago and both he and his wife were virgins while committing their lives together at the alter. Trust me, self control is a learned behavior and we all can accomplish great things while preventing bad things from happening.
We can all unit as liberals, conservatives, republican, democrat, religious or atheists. WE ARE AMERICANS AND WE OUGHT TO REGAIN THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CIVILITY AND RESPECT. We can be a beacon of light for the world. Right now we are divided strong and it shows in our respect for each other. Each one of us can sincerely practice respect for each other right here on this board and make it the best web site on the net because of mutual respect, God knows I need to do better.
Last thought, we can live each day as it is our last and practice a strong relationship with friend and family. Make huge allowances for each other without sacrificing principle, example: not requiring a friend to act or perform in a relationship of a unrealistic expectation. My sister can be the single most annoying person in the entire world and in our family she can be tolerated but I recently have been practicing unconditional love and she has responded well. She is not as annoying and we are all getting along better. Each of us have a responsibility to examine ourselves and make corrections. Never believe you are above reproach. Let's start with our concern for our neighbor and you will be amazed how you can help and maybe you'll receive a blessing that will set your sails soaring.
