When Will it Be Enough to do Something?: Two Mass Shootings in 24 Hours

After every mass shooting, the following line is uttered by some on the right: “now is not the time to talk politics“.

When can we talk about this? When more Americans are killed because some Americans care more about their guns than saving lives?

Last week, there were two mass shootings in two different cities in a time span of 24 hours. In Tulsa, a man legally purchased an AR-15. An hour later, he walked into a hospital, killing four people. Among the dead is a doctor who had previously treated the shooter for back problems. This doctor was targeted specifically because the accused gunman (who then turned his gun on himself), believed that this man was responsible for his still lingering physical pain.

In Ames, Iowa, a man walked into a church. He killed his ex-girlfriend and another woman before also turning the gun on himself.

That tally alone is 6 innocent people killed, plus the men responsible for their deaths. How many more have to die before something is done?

I am sick and tired of this being the daily headline. Now is the time to get political. We need background checks, red flag laws, a waiting period, etc. Whatever it takes to stop this unnecessary loss of life.

P.S. One of the victims of the Brooklyn shooting is suing the company that produced the firearm. If that is what it takes, so be it.

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The Shooting in Brooklyn This Morning Scares The Shit Out of Me

We never know what will happen when we open our eyes in the morning. The day could be as ordinary as ordinary can be. Or, it can shake you to your core.

At about 8:30 this morning, during the rush hour, a man walked onto a northbound N train at the 36th Street and 4th Ave stop in Brooklyn. He detonated a smoke bomb and started shooting. As of earlier today, 10 people were shot and multiple others were injured. A good portion of the NYC MTA subway system was either shut down or dramatically altered for most of the day.

I know the station where this attack happened. Events like these are always scary. But they are even scarier when they are close to home. Today was one of those days when I was more than grateful that my company still allows us to work from home. The truth is that 99.9% of the time, the biggest inconvenience when getting on the train is a delay or track work that forces a change in travel plans. Those are normal in my world.

What happened today scared the shit out of me. I know that come tomorrow, I will shake the dust off (as will anyone who calls this city home) and go about my business as usual.

But that does not mean that what happened will not leave a scar.

This Weekend, Four More Citizens Died From Mass Shootings

When the weekend comes, we want to relax. We want to enjoy our precious time off and not worry about what is going on in the world. But unfortunately, we have to.

As I see, the issue of the gun laws in this country should be non-existent. We respect the rights of those who are legal gun owners and of sound mind while taking guns out of the hands of criminals.

Unfortunately, the issue is not straight forward. The messiness and arguments have opened the door to too many mass shootings in this country. This weekend, there were two mass shootings.

On Saturday night, the citizens of Brownsville were enjoying a lovely summer evening with their annual “Old Timers” festival. Then shots rang out. By the time it was over, one man was dead and eleven were injured.

In California, it was a beautiful day out. Guests at the Gilroy Garlic Festival were enjoying the day and spending time with their families. Then someone starting shooting. Three people were killed, two of whom were under the age of eighteen. The accused gunman (who shall not be named on this blog) killed his victims with an Ak-47 style rifle. It was purchased in Nevada, where it is legal to purchase this kind of weapon. In California, one may only acquire this type of weapon via illegal means.

Enough is enough. How many citizens must die from mass shooting because Washington does something? California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted Republicans for their inaction and frankly, I couldn’t agree with him more.

It’s time to put the lives of our citizens ahead of our guns or the lobbyists who are directly responsible for preventing real world gun reform. But until certain members of Congress step up to the plate, mass shooting and the unnecessary loss of life will continue.