Friday’s mass shooting of a kindergarten class in Connecticut left twenty 6 to 7 old children without their lives. The weapon used to shoot each victim multiple times was the Bushmaster 233. Looking at this gun, one doesn’t think self defense. One thinks military. In America, purchasing such weapons is perfectly legal. That is how the gun used Friday was obtained. Up until that Friday, I’m sure the Lanza’s were considered by others and themselves as responsible gun owners. Funny how a span of probably an hour can change things.

 

 

Conservatives and gun advocates argue that guns don’t kill people; people kill people. They argue that more people die in cars every year than are victims to gun crimes. All of this may very well be true, but the argument is not strong. What are guns intended to do? What are they made for? They are killing machines. They are made to kill. People kill others more easily, lethally, and often when guns are available.

 

Gun crimes at home are more likely to happen when guns are in the home.  It seems that more people suffer from gun violence than defend themselves using guns.

 

We at the very least need a long term ban on assault rifles. Such guns serve no practical defense purpose.

 

Adam Lanza, the shooter in Friday’s massacre, attempted to purchase a gun days before the killing spree. He didn’t have the required paperwork and was not able to complete his purchase. Luckily for him, his mom had a well stocked arsenal at home. Had she not had the guns, Friday may not have happened.