What contributes to mass shootings

Two so called “mass shootings” occurred in this country over the past weekend: one in El Paso, Texas at a Walmart store and the second in Dayton, Ohio at a public outdoor festival. Some 30-plus people were killed and dozens more were injured in the two shootings. The El Paso shooter was captured alive while the Dayton shooter was killed by police. The motive in the El Paso murders appears to be a “hate” crime based on the online postings of the shooter. The Dayton shooter’s motive is under investigation.

President Trump gave a speech about these incidents where he condemned racism and white supremacy and called for more and better mental health screenings and treatment. The El Paso shooter has pleaded “not guilty” on the grounds of insanity. If this is a real situation or if his attorney is playing legal games, I don’t know. However, in virtually all the so called “mass shootings” in recent years, the shooter has had a history of mental health issues, oftentimes where he “fell through the cracks” of receiving any appropriate mental health screening and treatment.

Another contributing factor to both these shootings was that they occurred in “gun free” zones. When a disturbed person decides to hurt people with a firearm, he will look for the safest place for himself, a “gun free” zone, because his victims will not have access to a means of self-defense. Virtually all the 250-plus “mass shootings” which have occurred this year have happened in “gun free” zones.

I think the media can take some responsibility for these crimes as well. The mainstream media supports the progressive-liberal agenda of repressive gun control and regularly uses incidents like these two shootings to promote that agenda. In Japan recently, in the worst mass killing in two decades, a perpetrator used an accelerant in a fire which killed 30-some people while horribly injuring dozens more by burning down a building. Have you heard about that? I suspect not since no firearm was used. The crime didn’t fit the media’s agenda to promote gun control.

The media usually gives extensive coverage to these incidents, noting every detail possible, often incorrectly. What are the odds some of these incidents are “copycat” crimes inspired by the notoriety given the shooter for his “fifteen minutes of fame?”

Another media “oversight” involves the reporting of other shootings such as occur in Chicago almost every weekend. So far in 2019, more than 1,600 people have been shot in the Windy City and many have died, yet you rarely hear the news. Most of the time, there is a single shooter and a single victim, so it doesn’t count as a “mass shooting.” This activity occurs despite Chicago having some of the strictest gun control laws in the country.

Another thing the President mentioned was our “culture of violence,” where we, as a nation, glory in watching violence in movies, on television, and in video games. Most of us can distinguish between the fantasy of a movie and the reality of life, but what about those with a mental health problem? We occasionally hear about somebody trying a stunt they saw on TV or the movies, “here, hold my beer,” and being hurt in the process. What are the odds this happens with mass shootings?

The Democrats are criticizing President Trump for not calling for more gun control and some are even blaming him for the El Paso shooting, claiming his “racist and anti-illegals” comments are inspiring folks to do these crimes.

What we need to start doing in this country is begin a serious discussion about improving mental health screenings and treatment, how to reduce racism and hatred, how to reduce violent entertainment, and yes, how to keep firearms out of the hands of folks who shouldn’t have them. That last statement needs to encompass not infringing on the rights of the citizens to keep and bear arms. Quit pointing fingers and start discussions about solving the problems.

Because of recent church shootings, several folks in the church we attend are carrying concealed and some are even carrying openly during services. It’s not unusual to see open carry in stores in Big Lake or Wasilla. I’m sure there are many more concealed carriers present too.

The police can’t totally protect folks attending open air activities, especially if the crowd is large. The burden for our individual safety falls on us first. Court cases have established that the police have a duty to protect society, but not individuals.