My heart aches for the families that have lost children and loved ones in this most recent tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas. I have lost a daughter before and know that the pain of losing a child feels unbearable.
Of course the politicians are using this tragedy, along with the equally tragic mass shooting in Buffalo New York last week to throw more gas the fire for gun control.
While I understand the basic idea is "get guns off the street and these killers won't have the means to commit these tragedies". Unfortunately, you and I both know that's not the end of the story and it wont' make our communities more safe. Criminals already exist outside of the law. That means, no matter how many gun laws you put in place the only ones who will be impacted are law abiding citizens. Criminals will always find a way to do more crime.
I actually work part-time at a gun counter so I know exactly what the process is to obtain a legal firearm. The process is not very difficult and if your of age, with no criminal background, you can get a gun. Many will say that's the problem, I disagree.
The answer is not more gun control. The answer is education of safe, lawful firearms ownership among good lawful citizens that want to protect themselves and their communities.
Ever notice these mass shooters are not going into places where they know it's a high likelyhood of the potential victims being armed?
They are not going into a police station, or a gun range. No they're going to schools, churches, and places like groceries stores where it's a lot of senior citizens.
Criminals are cowards. They are looking for the easy victim. They are not going after the person who looks like they have the ability to fight back.
So I believe the answer is more knowledgeable gun owners. What if the staff at Robb Elementary were armed and well trained? I'm inclined to believed things would have went differently. What if there were more people armed and well trained at that grocery store in Buffalo?
We must understand that their is evil in this world, always has been and it probably always will be. It's no use in creating a fantasy idea that if we just make it harder for people to get guns it will go away. No, all that will do is make it harder for the good people to defend themslves against evil.
We accept the reality of life and prepare for the worst. Be a warrior in a garden, not a gardener in a war.