Thoughts on Gun Violence
As the parent of a child not much younger than those in that 4th grade class in Uvalde, TX, my heart is with the parents and families of those children who were senselessly murdered. And as a fellow human being, my heart is also with the families of the black women and men killed in Buffalo last week, while shopping at a grocery store.
We should not have to live in fear that our schools and supermarkets -- or our churches or other gathering places -- will turn into killing fields. This has to stop and we need to find ways to bring about real change.
I don't pretend that there are easy answers. Even if we require safe gun storage, strengthen background checks, and ban the sale of assault weapons -- all of which I believe we should do and all of which am committed to working for -- there are now so many weapons of war on American streets and in American homes that, even with voluntary buyback programs, the threat of gun violence will never go away (see, for instance, this article from the Washington Post and this from Vox).
That is why, in addition to advancing gun safety and common sense gun violence prevention laws, we also need to continually encourage people to be vigilant and to say something if they see or hear something that is not right. Thank goodness for the brave student and committed staff at Montpelier High School who did just that last week, perhaps preventing another senseless tragedy right here in Central Vermont.
I understand the feeling of needing to understand how and why individuals could decide or be allowed to commit such horrific acts, and those questions are important -- especially to prevent further massacres.
But at this moment I feel we also owe the victims and their families our attention. I find resolve for the work ahead in taking time to look at the faces and read the stories of lives that were taken.
If you can bring yourself to do the same, you can read about the Buffalo victims here and the Uvalde victims here.
In Buffalo, NY, Andre Mackniel "was going to the supermarket to get a birthday cake for his son when he was killed."
In Uvalde, TX, Eliana ‘Ellie’ Garcia "loved the movie “Encanto,” cheerleading and basketball, according to her grandparents. They add that she dreamed of becoming a teacher."
What kind of society are we if we allow innocent lives like these to be taken? We can and must do better, including here in Vermont. One first step is to join GunSense Vermont, a non-partisan group that works to make sure all Vermonters are free from gun violence. You can find out more at GunSense Vermont.
And for those wanting to gather in community at this time, there is also an interfaith vigil this evening (May 26) from 5:30-6:30pm at Barre City Park, at which all are welcome.
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Update: GunSense Vermont is partnering with Moms Demand Action to organize Vermont’s March for Our Lives rally, which will be held at 2pm on the State House lawn in Montpelier, Saturday June 11th. You can RSVP by visiting the event’s Facebook page.
