But requiring better background checks, eh, can't do any harm, right? Might even do some good. Anyway it would be a start.
So how come our lawmakers haven't already done this? Why haven't they yet passed a law requiring stricter background checks, since they've only been talking about it for years as the answer to gun violence?
And as for doing something about all the mental illness out there that's turning men (but not women, as you might have noticed) into mass shooters (unless the shooter happens to be Muslim, in which case he couldn't be mentally ill, just evil, right?), politicians have likewise been jawing about mental illness for years. So why haven't they done anything about that, either? How about giving us some meaningful legislation - instead of just meaningless talk - that addresses the need for more affordable, accessible mental health care?
It's as if "background checks" and "mental health" are words embroidered on a couple of pretty silk hankies that Congress pulls out of a drawer every time there's a mass shooting to wave at the public for a while, calm us down until all the fuss has faded, at which time the embroidered words can be slipped back into the drawer until next time.
But next time is now, and seventeen more people are dead in Parkland, Florida. This time it was fourteen high school students, a geography teacher, a football coach and an athletic director who bled to death on the ground from gun shot wounds. Seventeen bullets to the heart, was how one tearful young survivor of the shooting described the effect on his grieving community, while others around the country have sought ways to express our collective horror, anger, and grief.
"17" By Mary Pat King It was 17 mornings like any other 17 snoozes and then another 17 breakfasts on the go 17 “byes” promising “hello” 17 bodies in sleepy motion 17 minds embracing commotion But then 17 bullets destroyed sweet dreams 17 bullets fueled our screams 17 bullets detonated young lives 17 bullets stabbed hearts like knives 17 bullets swelled our tears 17 bullets rippled our fears So now 17 families are stunned tonight 17 moms can't hold them tight 17 “byes” will sting the air 17 homes with an empty chair 17 bullets battled the God we trust 17 hearts returned to dust |
https://30seconds.com/mom/tip/15720/17-One-Parents-Powerful-Poem-About-the-Florida-High-School-Shooting