Three hundred. Of that number more than 100 since May 24. Mass shootings, defined as an event when four or more, not including the shooter, are killed or injured, continue as a public health emergency. And that it is. Finally, our brave Congress finally enacted some laws. Oh boy, they really are going to make a difference. What. Cowards!
What we don’t see on the front pages of our papers or as the lead stories on the internet are the daily little killings, one here, two there, the macho boyfriend wanting to teach the woman a lesson, the suicides, the accidental deaths of loaded weapons. We don’t see those blazoned onto our computers.
Fear begets fear. Data show that gun sales spike after violent events, such as mass shootings, racial justice protests, even during the fears of the pandemic shutdown. I just wonder what two-year old Aidan McCarthy’s grandfather said to his grandson when he asked, “When are mommy and daddy coming home?”
Prayer for the Day
God, save us, we pray, and then go on with our lives
While someone else died last night from another shooting;
God, protect us, we cry, and then try to shut out the horror we see
On our city streets and in our small town homes.
Why, we beseech you, O Lord of life, why is there such death?
Why, we ask, won’t our leaders act with courage, why?
In the name of the One who wept at a tomb,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
What we’re seeing here is a different kind of violence. At least outside of school. They’re not fighting. They’re killing.
- Rev. Eileen Smith, Executive Director, Coalition for Peace, Pittsburgh
Many other countries have folks who are angry and alienated. But guns aren’t there.
- Richard Berk, retired criminology professor University of Pennsylvania
There are more than an estimated 400 million guns in the country, a figure that eclipses the population. – The Washington Post
Harken to my speech, O Lord, attend to my utterance.
Listen well to my voice crying out, my king and my God, for to you I pray.
Lord, in the morning ou hear my voice, in the morning I lay it before you and wait,
For not a god desiring wickedness are you, no evil will sojourn by you
Psalm 5: 1-4 (Robert Alter, Trans.)