The thought struck me recently as I passed a local school: “It’s been a while since the last school shooting.” But then I remembered—schools are closed for summer. The alarming normalcy of that thought weighs heavily on my mind. Why is it so easy to accept?
When I heard about the shooting near Spokane, Washington, I can’t say I was surprised. A student entering his high school armed with guns, resulting in four injuries and one life taken? Sadly, this isn’t shocking anymore. I wish I could feel a sense of disbelief, but instead, I am filled with sadness, anger, and a sense of frustration—yet shock? Not anymore.
It’s become a grim routine. We tally the casualties, debate the terminology of “killed” versus “murdered,” and mourn the families of the victims. We analyze the systemic failures and the shooter’s background. The cycle continues, and it’s horrifyingly familiar.
This incident struck particularly close to home for me, as I grew up in Spokane and live just an hour away from Freeman High School. I can’t help but think that all the parents and students felt a sense of safety—until yesterday. Now, we face the grim reality that no child is truly safe.
The truth is, mass school shootings are a uniquely American issue. They occur here with a frequency that feels almost as regular as the seasons changing. While other nations experience such tragedies occasionally, none compare to the frequency seen in the U.S.
The statistics are shocking. Between November 1991 and July 2013, the U.S. experienced 55 school shootings with fatalities, while no other country saw more than three in that same period. Research from The Academy for Critical Incident Analysis at John Jay College found that from 2000 to 2010, the U.S. had nearly as many school shootings with multiple victims as 38 other developed nations combined. That’s staggering, especially considering that those countries had a collective population over ten times that of the U.S. The Freeman High School shooting marked the 31st school shooting in the U.S. this year alone.
Now comes the familiar debate: how much of this is a gun issue versus a mental health or parenting issue? We pull out statistics, arguing over the Second Amendment and what it means to have “well-regulated militias.” The comments sections become battlegrounds.
“We can’t talk about gun control now,” some say, while others try to downplay the chances of being a victim. We pretend the U.S. doesn’t have a gun problem, despite the clear evidence. And once again, our lawmakers seem paralyzed to act.
I understand this is a complex issue with no straightforward solution. Some argue stricter gun laws wouldn’t stop these shootings. Perhaps the sheer number of guns in the U.S. makes it impossible to keep them out of the wrong hands. Maybe media coverage glorifies the shooters. Maybe it’s a mental health crisis. But even if all of that holds true, we still need sensible gun legislation.
It’s a matter of principle as much as practicality. What does it say about us as a nation if we do nothing in the face of these horrifying statistics? How can we watch child after child commit these atrocities and not at least try to prevent it? How can we ignore the mirror reflecting a society where our children can bring weapons to school?
Either we have a gun problem or a societal problem, and both are unsettling. Many claim that guns don’t kill people—people do. But the evidence suggests our people are inclined to use guns to kill. A friend once remarked that America’s obsession with firearms makes us seem “bonkers” to the rest of the world, and I can’t help but agree.
At this point, we’re faced with the same old narrative. Politicians play their games, and the public begins to feel resigned to the cycle of violence. We start to forget, only to wonder when and where the next tragedy will occur. We hope it won’t be our town or involve our children.
In summary, it’s crucial for us to have open conversations about sensible gun legislation and address the underlying issues that lead to such tragedies. If you’re interested in topics related to family planning, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. For those seeking information on home insemination kits, visit this link for a comprehensive guide.
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