Global Q&A: ‘What are your thoughts on the recent elementary school (Sandy Hook) shooting in the United States?’

Borris Salazar Villablanca, Puerto Montt, Chile. The Epoch Times

Sadness and regret for innocent lives lost, and the need for stringent gun laws formed the general responses from the USA to India when Epoch Times reporters asked locals:

Ohio, USA Elizabeth Maynard, 29, Children’s Special Needs Worker I find it really sad and feel remorse about the entire event, and that someone could wrongfully hurt young children. Our society is in a negative place and it is a challenge for people to stay positive, and be kind to others. The only [way] we can do this is to come together, and not let this tragic event keep us down. Because the more we focus on the negative the more we are giving into it.

Puerto Montt, Chile Paula Beels, 31, Hairstylist It seems so terrible to me that these horrible things occur to innocent people, but all events no matter how difficult or how ugly these things in life seem, happen for a reason. On the other hand, with regard to the person who committed this despicable act, he is a person who is not well balanced. Also, there is a terrible lack of faith. Nowadays, all human beings are worried about material things instead of spiritual ones and that is a big mistake to me, since you can’t take anything with you when you die and you can just leave good memories to your parents by loving them and being a good person.

Bangalore, India Divya V Prabhu, 25, Software Engineer It’s unfortunate that innocent lives are sacrificed. Misuse of guns, provided for self-defense is highly condemnable. It is unnecessary for every individual to own dangerous weapons in the name of self-defense. Instead, security systems for protection of civilians can be strengthened. Stringent law must be introduced and guns should be totally banned.

Cochin, India Shrutika Umarji, 24, University Law Student The lack of stringent gun laws is the primary reason for the rise in the shootings in America, especially, the last 30 years. And such freedom in the hands of citizens who do not understand the value of human lives can only be disastrous. The powerful and pro-gun lobby National Rifles Association has been successful in its effort to keep the laws in America, as far as possession of guns is concerned, always diluted. Since it is so easy to legally obtain guns in America, this issue is a global one and merely not reflective of a local problem existing in America alone.

Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil Ricardo Cecon, Sales Rep Access to weapons is easy [in the United States]. Any young person can have access to weapons because that is their culture. [With easy access in Brazil], would weapons change this culture?

Stockholm, Sweden Lena, Blondel, 68, Translator First there was the reaction: shock, disbelief, and an immense sadness. Then came the flashing memories of Utoja, and of the two school shootings I experienced in Montreal. The most vivid memories were from the one in 2006, which took place next door to where I then lived: thousand of students streaming into the busy street as panic hit. ... And in light of the Sandy Hook shooting, I would like to see legislation limiting or banning the ownership of guns in the U.S. But on a larger and perhaps more remote scale, I would like to see a major arms recycling industry emerge and boom, locally and internationally.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Have you stuck to your New Year’s resolution?” The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.