The two most notable instances, in my mind, were other shootings that took place in Fort Worth, Texas and Seattle, Washington. It was in Fort Worth, where Aaron Alexis shot a hole in his roof. This shows a lack of regard for the safety of others as firing stray bullets for no apparent reason in one's own home can be dangerous. In Seattle, an even more serious incident occurred. This was where Alexis fired shots at a car's tires causing them to go flat. Alexis, himself, called this incident "an anger-fueled blackout", according to the New York Times, in this article.
Now, the question that we are all left asking ourselves is, "How?" How did this man gain access to the Navy Yard in the first place? This was due to a breakdown in the system, as well as many missed signs of outrageous behavior, including those two shootings I spoke of, but also instances of insomnia where Alexis claimed to be hearing voices and a bar fight he was involved in, yet another example of violent tendencies.
It is all of this that I will point to when somebody tries to point the finger at a lack of gun control being the cause for this awful tragedy. This, along with the fact that the person behind the gun is ultimately responsible for their own actions, not the gun itself. Even if guns were outlawed, bad guys would still have them in the same way that drugs are easily accessible to anybody willing to put out the effort to get some. The only difference here would be that the good guys could not protect themselves from the bad, and would have to wait for the police to arrive, and by that time it will likely be too late.
In conclusion, I would just like to, again, acknowledge the tragedy that occurred, and send my prayers out to those who were killed and those who lost loved ones at the hands of this deranged man. I am very sorry for their loss.
Gabriel, Trip, Joseph Goldstein, and Michael Schmidt. "Suspect's Past Fell Just Short of Raising Alarm." New York Times. The New York Times Company, 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2013.
19, Richard A. Serrano September. "Navy Yard Shooter Attacked 'calmly,' FBI Chief Says." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2013.
I feel awful for those families who lost loved ones as well. In my opinion the Navy is at fault. They were warned about Aaron's unstableness and his "red flags" in the past. I think that the navy needs to try harder in reference of background checks and mental illnesses to those who have any navy access. It's sad to think this could have been prevented very easily.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I agree with you that the main problem in these types of horrible situations is not gun control, but mental health.
ReplyDeleteEven those who are critical of the drug war such as myself recognize that in all likelihood full scale legalization of drugs would lead to increased drug use. Large scale prohibition of guns, presumably, would decrease access to them as well, especially when we consider that many illegal guns originate today in states with lax gun laws. Jeff, I wonder what you think of the following: hypothetically speaking, if a certain regulation proved effective, is there any level of reduction in violence that would compensate a fairly strict limitation on the rights of gun ownership?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the other aspects you raise, what seems the most salient issue in which to deal with this question? Is gun control the right way to address this issue, considering all the many aspects it presents?