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Conversation #164: A sad tragedy, could it have been stopped?

*This is long - I hope you will read it.  At the very least - please watch the video at the end!

I am sure, like me, all of you are aware of the shooting tragedy in Aurora, CO that took place in the wee hours of the morning.  I pray for those families that lost dear ones and pray for healing for those injured.  There is no way I can imagine what it is like to go through an experience like this.  The terror that they felt during the attack and the terror that they will likely still experience as they process what happened just makes my heart hurt for them.  I pray that the Lord bring them His peace that surpasses all understanding.  I pray that He protect them and scoop them all up in His arms to carry them through this horrific ordeal.  It makes me so sad. 

I truly can't understand what goes on in a person's mind to push them to doing something like this.  God gives us free will, and in that, some people do some pretty horrible things - it has always been that way, and it will continue until the Lord returns and we get to go to Heaven.  Sometimes, I really don't know how people who don't know the Lord make it through each day here on Earth.  There are many days when that is they only thing I have to cling to when I feel so worried or sad.

Anyway, I hate that this story is already being politicized.  I hate that one act of a clearly disturbed person already has the left using the media to bring on the gun-control debate.  However, since one side has politicized it, I feel like I need to explain the other side (even though my readership is pretty small). I know not all of my readers probably agree with my politics, and that is okay.  I respect that, but this is my blog, I am conservative, and I am pro-gun.  I also respectfully think you are wrong if you are anti-gun, and I even have some close family that doesn't necessarily agree with me entirely.  If you will stick with me for a moment here, though, maybe I can show you why I believe the way I do.

There is one simple fact - guns don't kill people.  Yes, you read that right.  Guns don't kill people.  People kill people.  I won't say never because I am not omniscient, but I am pretty sure that rarely a gun lying on a table has spontaneously gone off and killed people.  Many proponents of gun control say that guns should be removed from all hands so that tragedies like this never happen.  Let me propose a scenario to you: are drugs illegal?  Do we try to control controlled substances?  Are there underground drug rings?  Do many people still die from drug overdoses?  Is prostitution legal?  Do we here about brothels being found in America still?  Is there not still, sadly, sex trafficking even in America? Do you see my point?  Just because you restrict something doesn't mean it ceases to exist or be a problem.  Besides, there are already gun laws in this country, and you do have to go through background checks and classes and such to obtain a conceal/carry license in many states.

You see, what happens is that the bad guys will still get guns.  They will find a way whether a law exists or not.  If a person is willing to kill others without "gun control", do you really think a person changes just because obtaining a gun becomes harder or illegal?  All we would be faced with is a world where the good guys can no longer protect themself or others against the bad guys.  I'm not saying that every person must carry, some people don't like guns - I'm fine with that.  However, I don't see why they need to tread on the rights of others to protect themself.  In fact, someone who is against guns might find themself in a situation sometime where a person standing next to them is a law-abiding gun owner, and they just might save their life.  Take this story for instance: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/samuel-williams-duwayne-henderson-davis-dawkins-internet-cafe-shooting_n_1682519.html (Note, this is on the Huffington Post, not the most conservative publication in the world - I like to read the comments too).  Another link about the story: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/19/florida-customer-who-shot-suspects-during-internet-cafe-robbery-will-not-face/

This man probably saved many from injury or death.  I don't know about you, but if two guys walk in with a a bat and a gun - I am fearing for my life.  The other patrons of the internet cafe, they appreciate what he did for them.

The first time I saw this video, I sat speechless.  This woman, Dr. Hupp, appealed to the Texas State Legislature to allow law abiding citizens to carry a gun.  Her experience in a Luby's so many years ago reminds me of the tragedy that just took place in the movie theater.  It makes me wonder, if someone had been carrying a gun in that theater, would they have been able to stop the mad man?  We'll never know for sure, but I am going to hope every time that a good guy will be there to stop the mad man and save many.  I urge you to watch the video below.  I could never say it as well as her:



No matter what you believe, do say a prayer for the families of those affected by the events in Aurora.

Comments

Stori said…
I agree with you 100%. Criminals will always find a way to obtain weapons, and law abiding citizens should always have the right to self defense.
Unknown said…
100% agree! Good Read! Keep up the good works
Gail said…
Good words Jessica....and Amen!

Hugs,
Gail

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