It’s time to stop raising children who think they are invincible

More than a week after the senseless slaying of children at a Connecticut elementary school I find the anguish of anger speaking louder than sorrow.

Such is the case often when we humans try to digest the horrors of unexpected tragedy.

I am not anti-gun. 

I grew up around guns. My uncles and cousins and their children and friends had guns in their hands before most of them could write complete sentences.

I am not anti-gun. 

Own all the guns you want. Own all calibers. Own all manner of clips and bullets.

I am not anti-gun.

I am anti-killing.

The NRA’s shooting response—to arm more people with more weapons—is not the answer.

Trying to decipher which “good” people should shoot which “bad” people and when won’t resolve our nation’s crisis.

Saying, “Guns don’t kill people; idiots kill people” is turning a blind eye to root causes of murdering rampages.

If only “idiots kill people,” then we are a nation with more than our fair share of idiots.

But alas, often, it’s not an “idiot” or a “stupid” person who mass kills. It’s often the educated and affluent who choose to take out entire rooms full of innocent people.

The response to Sandy Hook is not more guns. 

Nor is it less guns.

It’s good parenting. It’s societal values. It’s discipline and structure in schools and homes. 

It’s bringing up young people who respect—and in some cases fear—their elders.

It’s teaching youth about the value of each individual life on this planet. People of all ages, all races, all walks of life.

It’s about faith, whichever faith guides you.

It’s access to healthcare and mental healthcare for those who show, too often, signs that someday something could go all too wrong.

As a victim of a senseless tragedy myself, I called upon the auspices of mental health professionals. Ever tried to get access to mental healthcare here in Brunswick County? I have a job; I have insurance and the journey I took to get help was exhausting and frustrating. It’s damn near impossible for those with less.

As a society we cannot afford to split ourselves by more gun/less gun. We are pitting the most reasonable of us all against one another and those somewhere in the middle—those who care not at all if there are more or less guns in our society—will continue to follow their paths that may lead to violence.

I am not asking anyone to give up a gun. 

I am not asking one American to consider not protecting self or family or friends; nor do I expect others to feel as if their only solution is a call to arms, even if it’s not their will.

Our approach here is all wrong. 

There is enough rhetoric. There is enough discourse. 

It’s not time for more dialogue. It’s time we get back to good parenting. We must stop raising children who believe they are invincible and can take out the rest of the world.

Until then, these tragedies will continue to haunt us, leaving many glad it didn’t happen to them and far too many wondering why it did.