Why, in America, are we producing people who are killing themselves and others at such an alarming rate? Why is our society far worse than any other “civilized” society in the world in terms of mass shootings/murders? What is it in our culture that is giving birth to these atrocities?
I remember as a young child my Uncle George going off to serve in WW II. I remember seeing my first television at age 10 and being enamored with such characters as Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, and the Lone Ranger where the good guys were victorious over the bad guys.
I remember playing “cowboys and Indians” with my peers and my grandma buying me a beautiful set of toy six-guns with leather belt and holsters for Christmas. These “guns” would fire caps when I would pull the triggers-they would make a noise like a fire-cracker going off and smelled badly but would hurt no one. I remember buying my first real shotgun around age 12 and enjoying hunting quail, doves, squirrels, and rabbits with my dad and my two brothers. But my dad was very strict on gun safety and none of us were ever taught or even thought about hurting ourselves or others with our guns.
I know that over eight decades I have seen an increase in violence in video games, movies, and television programs with a particular emphasis on gun violence. Since the Columbine massacre of 1999 I have seen a major increase in mass shootings and gun deaths of all kinds-the mass killings at Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas being the most horrifying recently. I am a former Army officer and have been trained in the use of guns in warfare, but I was never taught that I would need those weapons to kill or injure fellow citizens. It is appalling to me that military-style assault rifles are allowed to be sold to the public in America.
I was brought up in a home with strong family values and high moral standards. Foremost among those values was love of God and neighbor. I was blessed with good parents and am convinced that a major part of our response to gun violence is better parenting.
Thanks to modern technologies, you and more people are reading the Watauga Democrat than ever before. Freedom of the press is essential to preserving democracy: But a free press isn't free. It takes significant resources for Mountain Times Publications' 10 full-time journalists to provide credible, fact-based and ethical journalism in the High Country. So, we are asking you to join our advertisers and print subscribers in supporting local journalism with your dollar. The Watauga Democrat does not have a paywall, but your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on.
The Watauga Democrat does not have a paywall, but your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.