2008 Woodie Awards
Guns dangerous in schools, homes
Dylan Thomas
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Editorials
Last month two more fatal shootings took place on college campuses killing two athletes. A World Junior Track champion at the University of Mississippi and a football player at the University of Kentucky were struck down, with both under the age of 21.
Why? Anger? Some of us are angry every day, or every week. Most of us get angry at least once a month. But I didn't shoot anybody. You didn't either. They did. But who are they? Not just the disturbed individuals that shot these young men, but those on other campuses too.
Virginia Tech, University of Washington, Shepherd, Case Western, Arizona Nursing College, Appalachian School of Law and the University of Arkansas all suffered the meaningless loss of life since 2000. At the hands of angry human beings-- angry human beings with guns still on our campuses.
Were all of these people certifiably insane? Or, in their weakest moments, did they let anger overtake them when they had guns at their disposal?
While I can't speak to the specific mental states of these individuals, other to say that they were most certainly past the limits of reason and desperately needed to be in therapy, I can speak to the other major factor in the equation: guns.
The Second Amendment states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Does this mean we should all have handguns in our homes, with our children, our spouses, our families, our friends?
Before you answer, let me quote you a startling fact-- a gun kept in the home is 22 times more likely to be used in an unintentional shooting, criminal homicide or suicide than to injure or kill in self defense. Yes, the ratio is 22 to 1. That means for every burglar, murderer and rapist that is shot in your home, 22 friends, family and children will lose their lives. Because of a debatable interpretation of our countries second amendment. Because of anger. Because of guns.
I used to be a registered gun owner of a collector's piece. I legally sold my gun to a licensed dealer. If I had a blast furnace, I would have melted it.
After reading the Second Amendment, and educating myself, I couldn't keep a gun in my home any longer. I used the money to buy better deadbolts.
And now I sleep better.
And safer.
Why? Anger? Some of us are angry every day, or every week. Most of us get angry at least once a month. But I didn't shoot anybody. You didn't either. They did. But who are they? Not just the disturbed individuals that shot these young men, but those on other campuses too.
Virginia Tech, University of Washington, Shepherd, Case Western, Arizona Nursing College, Appalachian School of Law and the University of Arkansas all suffered the meaningless loss of life since 2000. At the hands of angry human beings-- angry human beings with guns still on our campuses.
Were all of these people certifiably insane? Or, in their weakest moments, did they let anger overtake them when they had guns at their disposal?
While I can't speak to the specific mental states of these individuals, other to say that they were most certainly past the limits of reason and desperately needed to be in therapy, I can speak to the other major factor in the equation: guns.
The Second Amendment states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Does this mean we should all have handguns in our homes, with our children, our spouses, our families, our friends?
Before you answer, let me quote you a startling fact-- a gun kept in the home is 22 times more likely to be used in an unintentional shooting, criminal homicide or suicide than to injure or kill in self defense. Yes, the ratio is 22 to 1. That means for every burglar, murderer and rapist that is shot in your home, 22 friends, family and children will lose their lives. Because of a debatable interpretation of our countries second amendment. Because of anger. Because of guns.
I used to be a registered gun owner of a collector's piece. I legally sold my gun to a licensed dealer. If I had a blast furnace, I would have melted it.
After reading the Second Amendment, and educating myself, I couldn't keep a gun in my home any longer. I used the money to buy better deadbolts.
And now I sleep better.
And safer.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 29
Carl Lot
posted 10/23/07 @ 6:29 AM MST
Your "startling fact" is a myth. The old myth used to be "43 times", did you reduce it to "22 times" because of your own research or did you just forget the original myth? Here are statisics for your so-called "22 times": Of the 22, 86% were suicides. (Continued…)
Liam
posted 10/23/07 @ 7:11 AM MST
I would rather have a gun and not need it, then need it and not have it. I grew up in a home with several guns. We were all trained at a young age how and when to use a gun as the tool they are meant to be. (Continued…)
VpatS
posted 10/23/07 @ 7:21 AM MST
unbelievable .. I dunno what else to say.
Logan
posted 10/23/07 @ 8:42 AM MST
You fail to mention that the shooter at the Appalachian School of Law was stopped by two students with firearms on campus.
AngelDecoys
posted 10/23/07 @ 10:06 AM MST
Well, you certainly have the right not to own a firearm. Many people probably should not.
You do not however, have the right to tell anyone else what their rights are, or in what manner they exercise their rights. (Continued…)
fsilber
posted 10/23/07 @ 12:05 PM MST
Thomas asks: "Were all of these people certifiably insane? Or, in their weakest moments, did they let anger overtake them when they had guns at their disposal?"
Probably neither. (Continued…)
brady shill
posted 10/23/07 @ 12:36 PM MST
all of the shootings mentioned in the article occurred in "gun free zones for law abiding citizens". For someone looking for a place to shoot up, that would be the safest place for them to do it, "like shooting fish in a barrel". (Continued…)
stats are to fool people, win arguments
posted 10/23/07 @ 1:13 PM MST
What???? That 22 times is an inflated number? What would it be if it did not inclde usage by criminals?
Where did this mythical number come from, Handgun Control?
Which reminds me, I need to look up interesting facts to impress my black friends,
I am off to the KKK website. (Continued…)
what?
posted 10/23/07 @ 1:17 PM MST
I feel better without you owning a gun, too. Next: why don't we outlaw Doctors, they kill more prople due to incompetence than all the gun deaths combined. (Continued…)
George Roberts
posted 10/23/07 @ 4:44 PM MST
I thought colleges and universities were supposed to be places where people used their heads. This article displays a complete lack of reason and logic. (Continued…)
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