As we look at the photos of 19 children and their two teachers, the hand-wringing starts. It’s not just about the lives lost this time but all the times before. Twenty-seven school shootings have occurred this year alone. And we’re not even halfway through the year yet. That number doesn’t include Buffalo or other racist attacks in 2022.
After the horror that was Sandy Hook, I went online and learned that even with oly a minimal background check, I could purchase an AR-15. Prices have gone up, of course, but the gun used by the 18-year old – a DDMV47V is available online for only $1870 with financing as low as $92.94 per month. How could we miss this bargain?
Then the killer bought 375 rounds of ammunition. What store sold him that? Now we are told, after all, the Second Amendment guarantees our right to go out and buy enough weapons to overthrow a government. And the Supreme Court has a case on whether you need a license to have a gun. Won’t you feel safe when any idiot can carry a gun without a license? Of course, none of their kids are in danger’s crosshairs.
Prayer for the Day
God, where are you, we cry, as we look at the faces of children,
Children murdered by a deranged gunman full of self-hate;
God, where are you, we cry, as the gun lobby disclaims culpability,
Culpability for their role in making such weapons available.
God, be with us as we try to stop the daily carnage in our streets,
Help us to overcome our willingness to tolerate such terror.
In the name of the One who calls us to peace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
I want more politicians to lose their jobs to do the right thing. Maybe your service is not about continually winning elections but winning the right one so you can make a brave once in a lifetime choice.
- Taylor Shulmann, author of When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough
Gun violence feels too big, too powerful too stop, but it’s not too powerful to stop. It’s not too big for you to take some real meaningful actions. You control what you decide you can live with and what you can’t. You can choose whether you will do something or do nothing. You are not powerless.
- Jennifer Rosen Heinz, writer, activist
May God grant me to speak with judgment,
And to have thoughts worthy of what I have received;
Wisdom 7: 15