America’s mass shooter crisis continues with the most recent heart-wrenching tragedy at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, on Oct. 1.
Once again the soul of America is scarred.
During this senseless rampage, the worst mass shooting in Oregon history, nine people were killed and at least nine wounded.
Searching America’s Soul
As flags fly once again at half-staff, America must reverently pause and search its soul.
We must also recognize Chris Mintz, representing the finest character of America, who sacrificially placed himself in harm’s way to protect his classmates.
Despite Chris telling the gunman that “It’s my son’s birthday,” and attempting to block a doorway to protect his classmates, he was mercilessly shot numerous times.
Due to his selfless courage, a petition is circulating asking for Chris, a military veteran, be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Hopefully, heroes such as Chris and the many others including first responders at so many mass shooting incidents, will receive media attention, rather than the depraved actions of the assailants.
America must recognize our heroes, not continually glorify depravity by broadcasting the photos, manifestos, intentions, and ideologies of demented killers.
The Second Amendment: Enshrined Not Violated
One of my professional responsibilities over the last 30 years has included being a private security professional, coordinating armed security services.
America needs qualified armed security services, complementing law enforcement dedication, to safeguard society from individuals with nefarious criminal intentions.
Law-abiding citizens must also have their enshrined Second Amendment rights honored and never violated.
But there are individuals who should be unequivocally denied gun access by our Second Amendment that is exemplified by the following tragedies:
Virginia Tech—Thirty-two people are shot dead, including 27 students and 5 faculty members, and another 17 were wounded in the deadliest shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history. The gunman should have never been able to purchase a gun because a court order had previously declared him a danger to himself.
Lafayette Movie Theater—Two people were killed and nine wounded by a shooter who was denied a state-issued concealed weapons permit because he was accused of domestic violence and soliciting arson. The killer was also ordered by a judge to a psychiatric hospital but purchased a weapon legally despite fears from his family members that he was violent and mentally ill.
Emanuel A.M.E. Church—Nine people were killed by an individual who should have been denied purchasing a .45-caliber Glock pistol because he was charged with a misdemeanor and had admitted to possessing drugs. There was a breakdown in the federal gun background check system with FBI Director James B. Comey honestly stating, “We wish we could turn back time. From this vantage point, everything seems obvious.”
Marysville High School, Washington—A 15-year-old used his father’s pistol to kill four students. The father should have been denied the gun purchase since he was the subject of a permanent domestic violence order that was never entered into the federal criminal background database.
Washington Navy Yard—Although he sought treatment for psychiatric issues and told police detailed psychotic experiences, the killer was able to buy the shotgun in Virginia used to kill 12 people. He had been denied an assault rifle purchase.
Newtown, Connecticut—26 people, mostly children, were killed by a 20-year-old known to have psychiatric and anxiety issues as well as an obsessive-compulsive disorder. He had access to his mother’s guns, which he also used to kill her.
Aurora, Colorado Theater—Although seeing a psychiatrist, and even if for serious mental health issues, weapons were legally purchased by a man who used them to kill 12 people and wound 70 others.
Tucson, Arizona—Although arrested for drug paraphernalia and a year later failing Army enlistment drug testing, the killer legally brought a handgun to kill six people. He also shot U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, leaving her with a severe brain injury.
Final Reflections
America must search its soul and take back the nation from this mass shooter scourge.
We will be on the path to reawakening the nation when law-abiding citizens have their enshrined Second Amendment rights honored in a manner consistent with reasonable regulations.
Yet, America is also obligated to protect society from individuals who have no right to firearms because of criminal intentions, backgrounds, or disqualifying mental health issues that demand countermeasures for security rather than enabling the crisis.
Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America. Bove is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for combating crime and violence and is a former confidant of the New York Yankees. His newest book is “Listen To Their Cries.” For more information, see www.vincentbove.com
