ENOUGH

When I heard about the mass shooting last night in Lewiston, Maine, I thought to myself that unfortunately I could just go back to one of my earlier “Marla’s Musings” posts I have written. I could post one from the past again because the pain is the same and there have been no changes in our country to get mass shooting weapons out of the hands of those who should not have them.

Nothing.

But I decided to write a new post – for a couple of reasons. First, I feel we can’t just think, oh another mass shooting. Been there, done that. I also felt it was important to the people so personally effected by this to let them know THIS IS NOT RiGHT. IT IS NOT NORMAL. THiS CAN NOT CONTINUE.

Yet it does.

This time the mass shooting happened in a large town in Maine. In Lewiston, Maine. Maine is a state not highly populated, and a state known mostly for it’s beauty. It’s usually a quiet place. My son-in-law comes from Maine and all his family still live there. Good people. Loving. Hearty.

Not to give the shooter any glory – at all, but we must know this is important: He’s a white male, an expert in guns, with a military past. Other mass shooters have been the same. There is something going on with these individuals. In fact, this shooter had already been in therapy for delusional thoughts. Yet, he was still able to have a mass shooting weapon. Were his weapons seized when he was under mental health care? Then given back? Did he steal the weapon? Or buy a ghost gun? We don’t know these answers yet but these are important questions. Did his family and friends pick up on him again struggling? Did someone else abet the shooter and help him get a weapon? Is there responsibility for a mass shooting beyond the individual who did it?

Last night’s shooting started in a bowling alley on “Youth Night” and then continued at a local bar. The tally of dead I have heard so far is 22, with many, many more injured. Names of the dead have not been released yet but I worry that many will be teenagers who were enjoying some fun together at the bowling alley.

I am a mother and a grandmother. This time it was not one of my daughters, or grandchildren – but for the grace of God at this point. Because, here in the United States, we continue to allow this to happen. We have legislators more concerned about winning votes, and getting NRA lobby money, and talking about “Freedoms” above anything else.

Freedom.

Freedom means going out to a bowling alley, to a bar, to a temple, a movie theatre, a school, a church, a shopping center, a music concert, a grocery store – and not get killed in a mass shooting.

Freedom is NOT the right to have a gun. I’m sorry – it is not. There are been gun manufacturers and lobbyists who have put fear into people for years, thinking a gun will save you. It will not. Nobody had time last night to shoot back at the guy who walked into the bowling alley and then the bar. Guns are NOT personal safety. In fact thy are a false power belief. Way more guns are used in mass shootings, in spousal abuse, in accidents with children, and in suicides, then in personal safety.

Statistics don’t lie. We can look all around the world at countries that limit gun ownership and have stronger laws. They have less shootings. The United States in known around the world as being the ‘gun happy’ country because we recklessly allow just about anyone to get their hands on one, legally and illegally.

ENOUGH

So – I say ENOUGH again. I write another post again. I promise to continue to voice what I can about how we need to change. We need sensible gun laws and we need much better mental health care, and restrictions. The two: guns and mental health issues should never be allowed. If that means taking away guns and not always getting it right, I am okay with that.

ENOUGH.

I continue to promise to only vote for candidates who are determined to do something about guns in America. We all CAN do something if we have the right leaders and members of Congress. We can do something as citizens. If you own a gun, secure it. If you have one but wish you didn’t, turn it into the police. If you notice anything unusual with someone who owns a gun, report it.

ENOUGH.