Ann's Blog On US School Shootings

Ann's Blog #4:

"U.S. School Shootings Raise Fresh Questions" (cnn.com, October 4, 2006)

An issue that is always lurking around the corner is the issue of school violence. The whole world holds their breath between big events hoping that it won't happen again. Recently our worst fears have been realized when it has, in fact, happened again. There have been three recent events involving violence in schools. One in Pennsylvania, one in Colorado, and one in Wisconsin. Each involved shootings and innocent deaths which ultimately lead to suicides. The issue of gun control is brought up and debated. This has been an issue since Colombine and even before. The question of the causes of these extreme conditions of stress, depression, and violence remains unanswered. Some fingers point to music, video games, and bullying to find the solution.

I have never and probably never will be able to understand how someone could pull a trigger on another human being. No matter how someone may have been wronged or how depressed someone is, how can anyone ever see a solution in murdering another person? It is especially disheartening for me when, in the end, they turn the barrel to their own skull and kill themselves. If only that could have been their first step. At the same time, it makes me so sad that there are people who have nothing to live for, no one to turn to that they go insane. It almost makes me guilty because I have so many good things in my life. I wish I could even share with them some of my positive outlook, show them a glass that is half full. Then comes into play the debate over gun control. In my opinion, it is not the guns that are the problem. If anything guns should become more easily accessible. If a teacher or principle would have had a gun (or even some sort of temporary paralyzer) then many innocent students and faculty could have been spared. If anything should be further looked into, it is depression. If everyone in this world could have one person who befriended them the chances of these tragic events would drastically increase. The feelings of love, want and need are all it takes to create some sort of happiness. School shootings are the ultimate heart-breakers for me. I strongly believe that the issue lies in love or lack there of, not guns. Acceptance is all that is needed.

News Article from:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/10/02/crime.schools.causes.reut/index.html