Stop with Your Thoughts and Prayers

I watched a video today of students screaming in horror as they hear gunshots just feet away from him. The next video shows injured students lying on the ground, wounded or possibly dead. It was horrific. I cried almost instantly.

I can't help but think, what if that had been my family? What if that was my sisters or brother? It makes me sick to even think about. I can't imagine what those Florida families are going through but my heart is certainly with them.

So Here's My Issue

After every mass shooting or attack in the U.S, our government comes out to say "our thoughts and prayers" are with their families....Yea my thoughts and prayers sure are with them too, but I have a feeling there might be something else they would like to see...Action.

Politicians want to say that now is not the time to talk about gun control. Looks like a pretty damn good time to me. The next point they make is that this is about mental health and not guns. Well I say, why isn't it about both? Neither of these issues get the attention they deserve. We need to talk about the role that guns have in our society and how we can change the state of gun violence in America. Mental health needs to be brought out of the shadows and become an open forum where we try to understand what those individuals are going through and how we can help!

This isn't about Democrat or Republican. I have friends from both parties and these topics are so polarizing. We need to get to a place where we can speak to one another as humans and stop drawing a line in the sand for the sake of honoring our "party". Can we all agree that we need to start opening up the lines of communication regarding these issues?

I'm open to hearing out everyone's argument, but here is the one defense that I just can't accpet; "bad people will find a way to kill if they really want to". I just refuse to accept that. This killer was expelled from school, accused of beating his girlfriend and torturing animals. A 19 year old young man with obvious mental issues was able to legally purchase an AR-15 so he could make this happen. Oh and side note, AR-15's are the most commonly used gun in mass shootings... hearing that your “right” to get an AR-15 because “you want to” is more important than the lives lost is honestly so selfish. No one NEEDS a semi-automatic weapon.

Now What?

This is an opportunity for all of us to remember to cherish our loved ones. It's a moment where we can all take a look on the outside and research what we can do to help. How can you make a positive impact? How can we effectively encourage policy changes? Take a moment to consider what people are going through behind closed doors as well. Some people are in need of a heavy dose of kindness. And the best part is, it costs absolutely nothing.