Tragedy Strikes too Close to Home

[MasterPhoenix]

I found out yesterday that a close friend of the family, her and my sister were best friends in high school, she still calls my mom 'mom' even had her 4 yo daughter shot in a drive-by shooting. The daughter is in a coma in ICU, Her neice was killed.

This is the Shit that happens in a John Singelton movie, or the lead in to the news, not someone you know...

They are babies....

They were playing outside on a beautiful early spring day....

 

[catalina_francisco]

I hope she will be alright. You are right, these things should not happen outside of movies, and certainly not to innocent children just trying to enjoy their life as a child. I was dismayed to read over the weekend that courts in the US overturned a ban on citizens owning handguns (Washington I think?) because it was unconstitutional....I think it is more constitutional to be able to feel safe. Although banning doesn't stop everyone, it goes a long way toward stopping such mass ownership and such high gun murder stats.

Catalina

 

[the captians wench]

I hope she will be alright. You are right, these things should not happen outside of movies, and certainly not to innocent children just trying to enjoy their life as a child. I was dismayed to read over the weekend that courts in the US overturned a ban on citizens owning handguns (Washington I think?) because it was unconstitutional....I think it is more constitutional to be able to feel safe. Although banning doesn't stop everyone, it goes a long way toward stopping such mass ownership and such high gun murder stats.

Catalina

While I agree with you cat that this is very wrong, I don't think banning guns will decrease crime. Those who are involved in drive bys are not usually using registered weapons. So we would be taking the guns out of hands of people who use them properly but that would not stop those who do not already. I don't agree with having handguns, and I think that is not what the constitution was written for. But if a man wants to own a shot gun and go hunting deer saturday mornings with his boy, I don't see why that should not be allowed.

 

[catalina_francisco]

While I agree with you cat that this is very wrong, I don't think banning guns will decrease crime. Those who are involved in drive bys are not usually using registered weapons. So we would be taking the guns out of hands of people who use them properly but that would not stop those who do not already. I don't agree with having handguns, and I think that is not what the constitution was written for. But if a man wants to own a shot gun and go hunting deer saturday mornings with his boy, I don't see why that should not be allowed.

Unfortunately the US stats showing 68% I think it was (60 something) murders in the US are by gun, I do think it would make a big difference to the crime rate, and Australian studies have shown evidence it does. There will always be those who obtain guns illegally, but if the culture does not support gun ownership in the first place, many who do it so easily and without thought now, will never step in that direction. Oz, which was one of the highest rated nations for private gun ownership, went out on a limb after the Port Arthur massacre of 1996, and brought in a gun reform bill country wide which outlawed automatic and semi automatic and pump action rifles and shotguns, all approved firearms were to be registered to their owners and licences required for anyone wanting a handgun, of which few get permission to own...and Police have to satisfied anyone wanting to own a firearm has a legitimate reason, and self defence is not a valid reason. Studies carried out since then show that in the following 10.5 years, there have been no mass shootings as compared to 13 in the 18 years prior to Port Arthur, and gun related homicides and suicides have decreased to around half the pre 1996 rate, and continue to decline at an increasing amount. The government bought people's guns back at market value, so no-one lost out financially in that way, but a nation became much safer overall. Hunters and farmers argued they needed guns, but it was pointed out for what they needed them for, they did not require semi automatic and pump action guns.

Catalina

 

[Netzach]

I'm very sorry to hear about this, it's truly sickening. I'll leave my thoughts on the efficacy of gun control for another time.

 

[brioche]

I'm very sorry to hear about this, it's truly sickening. I'll leave my thoughts on the efficacy of gun control for another time.

Ditto. To think of a life snuffed out so young is truly tragic.

 

[myinnerslut]

i am so sorry. there is not good thing to say, but know that we are here if you want to rant of vent or just want a hug

 

[graceanne]

I am so sorry. *hugs*

 

[PreggoHottie]

I am really sorry. We live in the same general area, and unfortunately this type of crime is running rampant out here.

 

[agibean]

I'm so sorry for your friend.

 

[firefly03k64]

I'm so sorry.

My heart, our hearts, hurt for you and your friend. Many Blessing are being sent to comfort all of you.

I hope you and your close friend can find a small bit of peace in that.

The children of the world are so precious.

(((((Hugs)))))

Believing in a complete recovery for your friend in ICU!

 

[Evil_Geoff]

My condolences for you and your family and friends for your loss, and my prayers for the full and swift recover of your friend's little girl. A senseless tragedy, indeed!

 

[nowgirl]

Blessings and prayers to your friend and her family... it is so sad. Take care.

 

[subtleone]

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends family. Truly senseless.

 

[lil_slave_rose]

I hope she will be alright. You are right, these things should not happen outside of movies, and certainly not to innocent children just trying to enjoy their life as a child. I was dismayed to read over the weekend that courts in the US overturned a ban on citizens owning handguns (Washington I think?) because it was unconstitutional....I think it is more constitutional to be able to feel safe. Although banning doesn't stop everyone, it goes a long way toward stopping such mass ownership and such high gun murder stats.

Catalina

the thing is though cat, if they were to ban guns...then ONLY the bad guys would have them and those like us, would be left unarmed and more murder and such would happen.i'm don't own a gun, nor will i ever own one, but i agree that it IS unconstitutional to take the guns away from those who have gotten them the right way. just because guns are banned does not mean the bad guys won't still get them. if that were the case there would be no drug problems in the US, but seeing as how it's a HUGE problem obviously making it illegal did nothing to stop the 'bad guys' so to speak and it would be the same with guns.

and to Master, i think i've already said this, if i haven't i'm sorry. but please know that entire family have been in thoughts and prayers ever since you told me the story. it's a senseless act and i couldn't imagine it happening to one of mine, it truly made me want to hug my kids tighter.

 

[callinectes]

I am so sorry. I will keep your friend and her family in my thoughts.

While we are sharing bad news..there is a 6 year old boy in my area that has been missing since Thursday night. There police have no leads that we know of..he has simply disappeared. Please remember him and his family when you share a word with your higher power.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Thank you to everyone...

Its a crazy f*ed up world...

 

[NoLeafClover7]

Sorry to hear that man. I hope the girl in the hospital gets better. Its horrible that the world has gotten so fucked up that a kid can't even go outside to play with his/her friends anymore.

 

[MelancholyBaby]

In the city ten miles from where I grew up there was a drive-by and a 14 month old got shot and died. It breaks your heart.

Then in a town about fifteen miles away a seventeen year old brought a gun to school and shot his ex-gf and then himself. The girl survived and she's been released from the hospital but the only reason she survived is because one of the bullets hit a metal plate she had in her chest from a collarbone operation. It's truly a miracle.

It is so sad to see this kind of thing. What is wrong with the world and people that they have such little respect for the life of another?

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and the family, MasterPhoenix.