Lines in the Sand

There are certain feelings that come out in me only when specific things happen. Yesterday I was filled with particular feelings of sadness, frustration and even anger that rear their ugly heads when I hear of another outbreak of multiple killings on a college campus. This time the campus was Oikos University in California and this time seven people were slaughtered by a lone gunman on a rampage. In this case, the gunman was apprehended by police and is being held in custody as of this writing. In past episodes, such as at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University, the shooter committed suicide.

Where do we as a nation go from here? My response is for state governments and even the federal government to make it more difficult for people to acquire guns. It seems pretty obvious that the more guns our system allows to be put in peoples' hands, the result will be more violence, not less. Of course, I understand my voice is not the one on the radar screen of persons who are in positions to pass and enforce laws that address the rising level of violence in our nation. The National Rifle Association by far tops the list of entities with loud and influential voices. In the name of peace they call for more people to arm themselves and then be given more latitude to use their firearms.

To me, this is about as good example of a mixed communication message as can be found. Whether it is the stand your ground law that currently exists in nearly half the states in our union or the proposed legislation being pushed by the NRA that would allow persons from states where carrying a gun openly is legal to do so in states where such a law does not exist, these positions represent acts of enabling that do the opposite of deterring violence within our country. Are we a nation of peace and less violence? If so, then it is time we begin communicating clear and consistent signals that remove any doubt.