Mother’s Day Shooting: Repeated Tragedies Are Not Normal

Approximately 20 people, including children, were injured in a shooting incident that occurred during the middle of a Mother’s Day parade in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Shots were fired into a crowd of people marching behind the band, and three likely culprits were seen fleeing the scene immediately after. Gunshots echoed out at a peaceful gathering of citizens in the middle of the day, leaving children bleeding in the street. A society where such a thing is possible is just not normal.

Effective measures against gun-related crimes in the U.S. remain to be implemented, resulting in repeated tragedies similar to this one. It’s only natural that such lack of control be criticized.

This is not the first time that gun-related crime in the U.S. has gained the attention of the world. In 1992, there was the incident where a Japanese high school student mistakenly wandered into someone’s house and was shot to death.

Every time an incident occurs there are cries about the necessity for gun control measures, but these are snuffed out by lobby groups and the NRA, and then another tragedy occurs. It’s almost just expected.

In December of last year, 26 children fell victim to a shooting rampage at a Connecticut elementary school. In response, the Obama administration promised to make gun control a priority during its second term. In the end, a bill that would require anyone purchasing a gun to undergo a criminal background check was voted down in the Senate, and all President Obama could do was regretfully remark that it was a “shameful day for Washington.”

Just recently, there was another tragedy where a 5-year-old boy shot his 2-year-old sister in the chest, killing her. He used a small rifle, made specifically for children.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution states that “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” During colonial times the citizens took up arms, fought off British forces and gained their freedom. It’s a philosophy that is deeply connected with the spirit behind the founding of the nation.

This is certainly respectable. The fact that even while being tortured by gun crime, the U.S. continues to hold on to this founding philosophy of “the right to self-defense” could also be looked at as a sign of the strength of the U.S.

But haven’t things gone too far when the tragedies start to become expected? If you are going to make it a right of the people to possess and carry guns, it should be obvious that measures to prevent their misuse need to be tougher and more thorough.

Action is being taken at the regional level. Strict gun-control laws have been passed in Connecticut, where one of the shootings took place. Efforts by citizens demanding regulations have also intensified.

It’s time for the U.S. to muster up every last bit of gun control wisdom it has and make good use of it.