Once again, violence has erupted at an institution of learning. At least 14 people were stabbed yesterday at a Texas Community College by a 20 year old student that went from building to building, stabbing several, many in the face and neck. Authorities are now saying that "the attacker" had been planning the attack for quite some time and had even fantasized about killing people since he was in elementary school. I will only refer to the suspect in the incident as the "attacker" as I will not mention him by name, giving him the 15 minutes of fame that he so desires.
As always, my thoughts go out to not only those involved in the attack, but to those who witnessed the events that took place, as well as their families and the family of "the attacker". All of these people have become victims to this persons brutal assault. His own family now must live with the actions that he has committed, so yes, I view them as victims as well.
The attack yesterday at the Lone Star Community College was not the first attack in this college's system. Three months ago, at another campus within the system, two people were shot by a lone gunman. Yesterday's attack was different. "The attacker" in this incident used a knife. This just proves that anyone who has the desire to cause harm, will find the means to do so.
Just the other day, I watched on the news that the parents of the Connecticut school shooting victim's were again calling for new gun laws so that "others won't have to experience what they have gone through". Although that was a tragedy that was unwarranted, that also proved that when the desire is there, the person or persons will always find the means to do it. Reformed gun laws are nothing more than a band-aid that gives a false sense of security. A knee-jerk reaction by politicians to gain favor from the voters who believe that this reform will stop the violence. The simple fact is that this won't stop the violence.
Let me say this again. Yesterday's attack did not involve a firearm of any type. This was a knife. A knife! The weapon is now being described as a "razor type knife", a box-cutter. That utensil that is used every single day by people in a variety of different professions, as well as used around the home. Are we going to ban the sale of box-cutters now? I'm sure it won't be long before someone, either in Texas or in Washington D.C., will be in front of a television camera calling for some type of action. Again, another knee-jerk reaction.
What we may need to realize is the fact that there are sick and evil people out in the world. Neither evil nor mental illness are anything new. Both have existed since the dawn of time. There is nothing that can be done to rid the world of either. Politicians want a mandatory background check on anyone who wants to purchase a gun. I really don't have a problem with that except the reasons they're giving are ridiculous. They want to forbid those with criminal records or a history of mental illness from purchasing guns. What is that going to do? Okay, those with criminal records won't be able to purchase guns legally. So, they'll have to resort to buying guns illegally. Do you really think that these convicted criminals have a problem with that? They are convicted criminals because they couldn't/wouldn't abide by the law. I doubt forcing them to buy their guns illegally is that much of an issue for them. What about those who have a history of mental illness? Again, if they want a gun, they'll find a way to get it or, such as this case in Texas, they'll just improvise by using a different type of weapon. What about those who walk among us who have mental issues but have no "history of mental illness"? There are probably more people walking around with some form of mental illness that have never been diagnosed than there are those walking around who have been diagnosed.
The point is that although laws may make it more difficult for weapons to land in the hands of these people, the laws won't correct the problem. Once the "rose-colored" glasses are removed from the faces of so many in our society, you will see and realize that ANYONE who desires a weapon, will find the means to acquire a weapon. ANYONE who desires to commit a violent attack, will most certainly find the means to do so. As I mentioned before, each of us has to realize that there are evil people out there. People who don't care about the lives of others. That's the way it's always been. That's the way it will always be. The only thing we can do is be vigilant as we walk along life's road and be aware of those around us.
The attack yesterday at the Lone Star Community College was not the first attack in this college's system. Three months ago, at another campus within the system, two people were shot by a lone gunman. Yesterday's attack was different. "The attacker" in this incident used a knife. This just proves that anyone who has the desire to cause harm, will find the means to do so.
Just the other day, I watched on the news that the parents of the Connecticut school shooting victim's were again calling for new gun laws so that "others won't have to experience what they have gone through". Although that was a tragedy that was unwarranted, that also proved that when the desire is there, the person or persons will always find the means to do it. Reformed gun laws are nothing more than a band-aid that gives a false sense of security. A knee-jerk reaction by politicians to gain favor from the voters who believe that this reform will stop the violence. The simple fact is that this won't stop the violence.
Let me say this again. Yesterday's attack did not involve a firearm of any type. This was a knife. A knife! The weapon is now being described as a "razor type knife", a box-cutter. That utensil that is used every single day by people in a variety of different professions, as well as used around the home. Are we going to ban the sale of box-cutters now? I'm sure it won't be long before someone, either in Texas or in Washington D.C., will be in front of a television camera calling for some type of action. Again, another knee-jerk reaction.
What we may need to realize is the fact that there are sick and evil people out in the world. Neither evil nor mental illness are anything new. Both have existed since the dawn of time. There is nothing that can be done to rid the world of either. Politicians want a mandatory background check on anyone who wants to purchase a gun. I really don't have a problem with that except the reasons they're giving are ridiculous. They want to forbid those with criminal records or a history of mental illness from purchasing guns. What is that going to do? Okay, those with criminal records won't be able to purchase guns legally. So, they'll have to resort to buying guns illegally. Do you really think that these convicted criminals have a problem with that? They are convicted criminals because they couldn't/wouldn't abide by the law. I doubt forcing them to buy their guns illegally is that much of an issue for them. What about those who have a history of mental illness? Again, if they want a gun, they'll find a way to get it or, such as this case in Texas, they'll just improvise by using a different type of weapon. What about those who walk among us who have mental issues but have no "history of mental illness"? There are probably more people walking around with some form of mental illness that have never been diagnosed than there are those walking around who have been diagnosed.
The point is that although laws may make it more difficult for weapons to land in the hands of these people, the laws won't correct the problem. Once the "rose-colored" glasses are removed from the faces of so many in our society, you will see and realize that ANYONE who desires a weapon, will find the means to acquire a weapon. ANYONE who desires to commit a violent attack, will most certainly find the means to do so. As I mentioned before, each of us has to realize that there are evil people out there. People who don't care about the lives of others. That's the way it's always been. That's the way it will always be. The only thing we can do is be vigilant as we walk along life's road and be aware of those around us.
RSS Feed