I wanted to share this piece that appeared in the local online newspaper El Paso Matters.
In the aftermath of the Uvalde shootings, we are hearing lots of rhetoric but little actual hope that legislative steps will be taken here in Texas to better protect our families. 3 years ago after the Walmart shootings, we heard the same rhetoric. Now 3 years later it is easier to buy guns in Texas.
Most of us feel impotent in the face of escalating violence. Is there anything useful we can do?
1. Our vote is more important than ever. In addition, we should compel candidates to publish donations from gun organizations and manufacturers as well as their voting history on gun control.
2. We should demand that our representatives support legislation to permit victims of mass shootings and their families to sue the manufacturers of guns used in the shootings.
3. There is a lack of spiritual leadership in our country. We are therefore each called to look within and confront that within each of us that is violent or racist or sexist or any other form of prejudice. For those of us who practice any form of religion, we need to encourage our spiritual leaders to be more outspoken and to challenge each of us to truly live a spiritual message, not merely to mouth it. This would include spiritual leaders providing true guidance on the spiritual dimensions of gun ownership.
We have become a polarized society caught up in self-interest. If we believe in prayer, perhaps this is the most pressing issue.
Such a horrible situation. I too feel the anguish over how to stop these senseless killings. A root cause analyses would lead me to ask:
Did the fact that his parents were negligent in their parental responsibilities have anything to do with this?
Did he watch violent video games that shaped his brain to believe killing people is a solution and reward?
How would suing gun manufacturers solve this? Would we then sue car manufacturers when a maniac drives in to a crowd?
Was the school incentivized to give this boy mood altering drugs during his puberty instead of teaching him how to handle his complex emotions?
Should we change legislation to stop rewarding men and women for having babies they don’t plan to care for properly?
How are the same people against these poor children being murdered have no problem murdering hundreds of thousands of babies each year who are in or freshly out of the womb?
How many of these mass murderers have the benefit of a church family to help them when their parents weren’t able to take care of them?
How many had the benefit of a loving, caring man like Rich Patterson to listen to them and help them to learn how precious and valuable they are?
Answers to these questions should lead to additional questions that eventually identify the root cause. Then change the causes.