Guns First?

An article in the Wall Street Journal

“Responding to Parkland: The one solution that works is shooting back at the shooters.”

By: The Editorial post on February 15, 2018

This article starts by adding “19-year old Nikolas Cruz to the list of disturbing young men who have committed mass murders against other young men and women in their communities.” Going on to name shooters involved in other awful incidents alike. Pointing out that all of these events have had two things in common: guns and mental illness. They give us three solutions to these issues. Speaking on behalf of what they call the do-something demand: They reassure us that gun control is not the issue here. The issue is the federal bureaucracies for fighting not to involuntarily institutionalize violent mentally ill patients who refuse treatment. Encouraging states to enact civil-commitment laws.  For the second half of the issue the post simply says, “Shoot back”. They back this statement by giving two examples, one from last November when “a rifle instructor, with an AR-15, shot a suspect about to open fire on a church full of people.” The other example in “Garland, Texas when a security guard shot and killed two gunmen about carry out an ISIS inspired attack.” The third possible solution is to train and arm individuals in institutions and schools.

            I think that the authors intended audience is geared towards supporters of the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Rifle Association. One point they make is that when a situation like Parkland happens Liberals say gun control, but nothing ever comes of this. What they give us is a very right winged standpoint.

            I do not personally agree with these resolutions. The idea of conquering a war of weapons with weapons feels like the age old saying of, “Don’t do as I do. Do as I say.” I feel instead of arming teachers we would be wise to have policemen patrolling schools; highly trained individuals who are dedicated to protecting the lives of civilians. Not putting more guns in the hands of inexperienced citizens. Secondly Instead of detaining mentally ill patents we should implement stronger gun laws that don’t allow guns to wind up in the hands of the mentally distraught.

This article is strictly opinion based and didn’t have enough evidence to back its theories.

To read the article Responding to Parkland click here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/responding-to-parkland-1518740966