I’ve been busy trying to figure out how to get 300 million guns out of the hands of 300 million American citizens. It’s hard. But, how else do we begin to stop school shootings plaguing this nation?
Arne Duncan, former Education Secretary under President Obama, proposes that all parents pull their children out of school until Congress acts on gun control legislation. The problem with that proposal, besides congress lacing a spine, is that there is no legislation on Earth that can control 300 million guns in the hands of 300 million scared Americans.
Singer Kelly Clarkston’s frustration with this dilemma spilled over when, prior to a performance, she refused to invoke a “moment of silence” for the victims of the Sante Fe School shooting. “No,” she declared. “No more ‘moments of silence.’” She is right. A “moment of silence” in America is just a break in the action before the shooting starts again.
There have been 288 school shootings in America since 2005. During that same span of time, there were eight such shootings in Mexico, six in South Africa, five in India, two in Canada, and one each in Russia and China.
One conservative radio host proclaimed: “No one has a solution to the school shootings in America because there are no solutions.” Actually, there is a solution. Don Quixote said it himself, said: “There is a remedy for all things except death.” The remedy to America’s gun problem, however, will take a gargantuan will that America does not have. Americans simply lack the courage – the will – to exist without a gun in their hands.
It all reminds me of the Egyptians when Moses told the Pharaoh: “Let my people go.” The Pharaoh said, “No.” He had not the will. Followed a series of calamities, culminating in the deaths of the Egyptians’ firstborn, including Pharaoh’s own son. Only then did he say to Moses and his Hebrews, “Get out!” The Pharaoh found the will.
Does every school child in America have to die before Americans find the will – before we discover that our 300 millions guns do not keep us safe; they only kill us?
