We are more than numb...we are starting to panic.
One more school shooting. In this case, last Wednesday, in Parkland, FL, with 17 people dead.
Can anything be done?
Can anything be done?
Yes.
But it means everyone listening...flexing...and imagining.
First, listening. There will be no breakthrough unless we truly engage persons on both sides of the gun debate -- e.g. understanding, not only, why persons want more guns banned -- but also -- why persons don't want more guns banned.
We begin: why don't persons want more guns banned? For starters, because persons are genuinely afraid. As Pew Research has discovered:
"...Protection tops the list of reasons for owning a gun. While many gun owners say they have more than one reason for owning a firearm, 67% cite protection as a major reason. ...[whether they] live in cities, suburbs [or] rural areas..." http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/22/key-takeaways-on-americans-views-of-guns-and-gun-ownership/
The inference: we really don't trust anyone else, including the police to protect us. Not because we don't value the police, but because we sense the police are overtaxed (e.g. burned out), and often distracted. And in some cases, restricted, because of the need to protect the rights of all, even those 'pushing the envelope' in the areas of abuse and violence.
For these reasons, and more, the number of police errors (either flagrant or linked to bureaucracy) are increasing. The recent oversight of the FBI, related to the Parkland, FL shooting, is 'exhibit A' in this regard. As the New York Times has reported:
For these reasons, and more, the number of police errors (either flagrant or linked to bureaucracy) are increasing. The recent oversight of the FBI, related to the Parkland, FL shooting, is 'exhibit A' in this regard. As the New York Times has reported:
"...The F.B.I. received a tip last month from someone close to Nikolas Cruz that he owned a gun and had talked of committing a school shooting, the bureau revealed Friday, but it acknowledged that it had failed to investigate. The tipster, who called an F.B.I. hotline on Jan. 5, told the bureau that Mr. Cruz had a “desire to kill people, erratic behavior and disturbing social media posts,” the F.B.I. said. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/fbi-nikolas-cruz-shooting.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/fbi-nikolas-cruz-shooting.html
And so, there are understandable reasons, why people are arming themselves, and don't want their right to bear arms (e.g. the second amendment, as commonly understood) curbed.
But it is important for such folk to also listen to those seeking to restrict weaponry.
Frankly, I hear few persons seeking greater gun control who want to 'take away' all guns from folk; after all, there are legitimate recreational uses for guns, such as hunting. But they do want to dial-back the growing firepower of available weaponry.
Use to be folks were content to have a hunting rifle or B-B gun in their home closet. Now handguns have proliferated, along with heavy-duty rifles, such as the assault weapon used by the recent shooter in Parkland, FL. But it gets worse, as last fall's Las Vegas shootings demonstrated, for "...under federal law, machine guns — considered automatic weapons — are...legal to own as long as they were made before May 1986 and are registered with the federal government. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/10/02/nevadas-lax-gun-laws-make-easy-assemble-gun-arsenals/723569001/
Of special note, is the ease of availability of major weapons to children. Though hard to fathom, in some states a 13 year -- though banned from buying beer, cigarettes, racy magazines and lottery tickets -- can legally purchase a 22-caliber rife. The following link gives the detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIFiJdw0uME
A provocative sidebar: many (not all) who seek greater gun control, do support the 2nd Amendment. But the 2nd Amendment as it was originally intended.
Though shocking to many, the 2nd Amendment was never crafted to empower persons to possess significant firepower, let alone a personal arsenal. As Rhapsody in Books, notes, in reviewing Michael Waldman's book, The Second Amendment: A Biography,
But it is important for such folk to also listen to those seeking to restrict weaponry.
Frankly, I hear few persons seeking greater gun control who want to 'take away' all guns from folk; after all, there are legitimate recreational uses for guns, such as hunting. But they do want to dial-back the growing firepower of available weaponry.
Use to be folks were content to have a hunting rifle or B-B gun in their home closet. Now handguns have proliferated, along with heavy-duty rifles, such as the assault weapon used by the recent shooter in Parkland, FL. But it gets worse, as last fall's Las Vegas shootings demonstrated, for "...under federal law, machine guns — considered automatic weapons — are...legal to own as long as they were made before May 1986 and are registered with the federal government. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/10/02/nevadas-lax-gun-laws-make-easy-assemble-gun-arsenals/723569001/
Of special note, is the ease of availability of major weapons to children. Though hard to fathom, in some states a 13 year -- though banned from buying beer, cigarettes, racy magazines and lottery tickets -- can legally purchase a 22-caliber rife. The following link gives the detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIFiJdw0uME
A provocative sidebar: many (not all) who seek greater gun control, do support the 2nd Amendment. But the 2nd Amendment as it was originally intended.
Though shocking to many, the 2nd Amendment was never crafted to empower persons to possess significant firepower, let alone a personal arsenal. As Rhapsody in Books, notes, in reviewing Michael Waldman's book, The Second Amendment: A Biography,
"...The Second Amendment has a curious grammatical construction: '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.' How does the reference to “the militia” in the introductory phrase affect the interpretation of the amendment as a whole? Waldman’s historical analysis makes clear that the debates that preceded the adoption of the amendment were concerned with the role of the militia (what we would now call the National Guard), and had virtually nothing to say about an individual’s right “to keep and bear arms.” Moreover, the amendment says that the right to bear arms is that of the people (presumably acting in the context of the militia), not individuals. Ironically, it must be noted that the militias were composed of white males who were expected to supply their own weapons to participate in military training. Those men were not merely allowed to keep rifles; they were required to do so. https://rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/review-of-the-second-amendment-a-biography-by-michael-waldman/
Thus, we all need, secondly, to flex and come to new understandings.
I would contend such fresh awareness needs to be crafted from 1) A New Priority For Safety and Protection -- and -- 2) A New 'Dialing-Back' of Firepower/Militancy Based On the Original Intent of the 2nd Amendment.
In terms of new priority for safety/protection, we need to advocate for greater precautions and creative measures to assure that persons, especially our children, will not be harmed and injured.
While composing this blog, I was minutes from the site of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre that took place in December 2012, resulting in 26 persons killed.
And so I visited the school, but only got so far, because of an intimidating, steel barrier-gate across the road to the school and the requirement of using a call box to open the gate. At first, I was put-off, thinking it was an over-reaction. But then thankful, those new defensive, protective mechanisms were in place.
Some advocate even more protection at schools, including the installation of airport/TSA type metal detectors. In any event, we do need to ensure the safety of all, especially, our children and our schools.
But...without increased firepower and militancy, justified by the 2nd amendment (e.g. an incorrect interpretation of the amendment).
For the solution to gun attacks is not more guns (including the arming of teachers with guns, as recently advocated by the president, no less https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/02/22/trump-wants-teachers-in-the-u-s-to-be-armed-other-countries-have-different-ideas/?utm_term=.14f3822b8c65), but more creative approaches to curbing violence.
The steel barrier-gate at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School is one example of the innovation needed. But we need to expand other horizons of non-violent 'combat,' as well.
A much-needed strategy is to look for the troubled and the lonely. Though the profile of a school shooter is far from definitive, the majority seem to be social outcasts who have isolated and become terribly alone. Sure, there are other factors, including mental illness, but behind mental illness is not just genetics, but dysfunctional/damaging families of origin that launch kids without the momentum of healthy relationships.
Nikolas Cruz, the most recent school shooter, in Parkland, FL seems to have experienced such a relational breakdown in his life. Awkward and scrawny at 5'7 and 120 pounds, Cruz was both isolated and bullied in his school setting. Thus, as the Miami Herald reports...
For persons touched by a shooting know better than anyone, how to prevent a shooting. And the 'weapon' of observation, they contend, is a mighty tool in our arsenal to combat all kinds of violence, including the violence of school shootings.
But the students will not be ignored.
Now organized as the March For Our Lives movement, students from across the country plan to descend on Washington next month, to declare, "...the nation can no longer wait to tackle issues of school safety and gun control reform...."
And so let the young voices lead! -- as we all imagine God's adventurous future. A future not dependent on violence and conventional weaponry, but the arsenal of the Prince of Peace.
Steve Engle says it well, in his hymn: I See A New World Coming.
I would contend such fresh awareness needs to be crafted from 1) A New Priority For Safety and Protection -- and -- 2) A New 'Dialing-Back' of Firepower/Militancy Based On the Original Intent of the 2nd Amendment.
In terms of new priority for safety/protection, we need to advocate for greater precautions and creative measures to assure that persons, especially our children, will not be harmed and injured.
And so I visited the school, but only got so far, because of an intimidating, steel barrier-gate across the road to the school and the requirement of using a call box to open the gate. At first, I was put-off, thinking it was an over-reaction. But then thankful, those new defensive, protective mechanisms were in place.
Some advocate even more protection at schools, including the installation of airport/TSA type metal detectors. In any event, we do need to ensure the safety of all, especially, our children and our schools.
But...without increased firepower and militancy, justified by the 2nd amendment (e.g. an incorrect interpretation of the amendment).
For the solution to gun attacks is not more guns (including the arming of teachers with guns, as recently advocated by the president, no less https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/02/22/trump-wants-teachers-in-the-u-s-to-be-armed-other-countries-have-different-ideas/?utm_term=.14f3822b8c65), but more creative approaches to curbing violence.
The steel barrier-gate at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School is one example of the innovation needed. But we need to expand other horizons of non-violent 'combat,' as well.
A much-needed strategy is to look for the troubled and the lonely. Though the profile of a school shooter is far from definitive, the majority seem to be social outcasts who have isolated and become terribly alone. Sure, there are other factors, including mental illness, but behind mental illness is not just genetics, but dysfunctional/damaging families of origin that launch kids without the momentum of healthy relationships.
Nikolas Cruz, the most recent school shooter, in Parkland, FL seems to have experienced such a relational breakdown in his life. Awkward and scrawny at 5'7 and 120 pounds, Cruz was both isolated and bullied in his school setting. Thus, as the Miami Herald reports...
"...To Cruz, the campus’ sun-splashed courtyards [of his school] were a dark place where he was mocked and ridiculed for his odd behavior, according to interviews with close family friends, students and recently released police and mental health reports. “Someone could have approached a faculty member, a guidance counselor, a teacher and said, ‘This kid gets bullied a lot, someone should do something,’ ” said student Manolo Alvarez, 17, who had history class with Cruz. “I regret definitely not saying anything.” http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article200754714.html#storylink=cpyMembers of Sandy Hook Promise (made up of parents who lost children in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings) agree. In a new PSA just released this past December, on the 5th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings, Sandy Hook Promise encourages persons to look for the warning signs of a school tragedy -- before the tragedy -- including social isolation and bullying. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sandy-hook-parents-release-chilling-psa-ahead-of-anniversary-of-deadly-newtown-shooting/
For persons touched by a shooting know better than anyone, how to prevent a shooting. And the 'weapon' of observation, they contend, is a mighty tool in our arsenal to combat all kinds of violence, including the violence of school shootings.
All this leads, lastly to the need for a new imagination, specifically a new imagination about curbing violence in our land.
Frankly, too many have just given into cynicism, despair, and the inevitability of evil -- believing there is no way to 'break-out' of the current cycle of school violence. But this is contrary to the biblical witness. For scripture teaches, that no matter the level of despair related to weaponry, attack, and violence, a new day can break forth. I especially value Prophet Micah's words in this regard:
Frankly, too many have just given into cynicism, despair, and the inevitability of evil -- believing there is no way to 'break-out' of the current cycle of school violence. But this is contrary to the biblical witness. For scripture teaches, that no matter the level of despair related to weaponry, attack, and violence, a new day can break forth. I especially value Prophet Micah's words in this regard:
"...and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks...neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid..." (Micah 4: 3-4)Beyond, Micah, other prophets of imagination, are the kids themselves. Never before have so many students literally taken to the streets to demand a new future for themselves and their peers. Initially, they are being ignored, as reflected in yesterdays action of the Florida legislature, not to take up the issue of assault weapons.
But the students will not be ignored.
Now organized as the March For Our Lives movement, students from across the country plan to descend on Washington next month, to declare, "...the nation can no longer wait to tackle issues of school safety and gun control reform...."
"Every kid in this country now goes to school wondering if this day might be their last. We live in fear," the March For Our Lives website says. "It doesn't have to be this way. Change is coming. And it starts now, inspired by and led by the kids who are our hope for the future. Their young voices will be heard." https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/18/us/florida-school-shooting-updates/index.html
As Christ-followers we need to help young voices be heard. After-all we follow a God who prophesied that "...a little child will lead them..." (Isaiah 11:6).
Steve Engle says it well, in his hymn: I See A New World Coming.
"...Beyond a dying sun I saw a vision on the sea of golden sails full billowed on the wind. And echoing above the waves a voice called after me, God’s dwelling place is with you to the end...Though hatred rages on the wind and wars defile the land, I see those golden sails still coming strong. For through the eyes of faith still shines the vision of the Lamb and o’er the weary earth there rings this song:
I see a new world coming when everyone is free! And all shall be God’s people in justice, love, and peace..."
Overall, a good group of thoughts, I think. Though I might not be in total agreement, I would like to ask everyone to note that President Trump has already begun to meet with some of the students, on February 21st, I believe.
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