Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre

Connecticut Shootings

 Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre

 December 14, 2012

 One cannot begin to imagine what horrors the parents of the children slaughtered in this morning’s execution of young school children by 24-year old Ryan Lanza at Sandy Hook Elementary School must be enduring.

As a parent myself, I am stunned, amazed and heartbroken that such atrocities can and do continue to happen, especially in the developed world. What is fundamentally wrong with our society that such tragedies can occur and, more importantly, what can be done to prevent them in the future?

Is there really an answer? Can we ultimately protect our loved ones from such atrocities?

Is the answer tighter gun control? If so, then what about our fundamental right to bear arms? How is this amendment affected? Would a complete ban on all firearms result in a lesser degree of gun-related incidents, or would it merely make it worse by driving it underground?

Why are children the target of such attacks and why do so many children of school-going age feel the need to brandish weapons? Is the proliferation of violence-centric media partly to blame?

I am amazed at the level of violence portrayed in games available for both the PC and X-Box platforms that openly glorify the use of guns and the mindless shooting of fellow human beings.

When I was s a child, owning a 'Walkman' was considered 'cool' by other kids. Now it appears that owning a gun is equally 'cool' and revered by many kids. Where are these guns coming from? How are children so easily able to obtain deadly weapons and carry them into schools?

Perhaps the time has indeed come for us to revisit some of our antiquated amendments and consider the impact some of these are having on society For now though, and especially at this time of the year, our hearts must go out to the families of the children who lost their lives in this morning's attack. There are no words to appease their agony.

For now though, and especially at this time of the year, our hearts must go out to the families of the children who lost their lives in this morning's attack. There are no words to appease their agony