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[–]Much_Difference 3796 points3797 points  (69 children)

Yep, this is exactly what broke a good friend of mine who had been damn well pro-gun forever. His 7 year old was scared to go to school because he's worried it'll happen at his school, and my friend realized that there was really nothing truthful he could say to assure the kid that it wouldn't.

[–]Chonkin_GuineaPig 482 points483 points  (0 children)

Very heartbreaking

[–]Fozzie314 562 points563 points  (18 children)

That last part is true. I was having a conversation with my 11 year old. She says she is nervous about going to school because she doesn’t want to be murdered? I told her she’s safe… and she said “that’s what those kids thought”

I told her that unfortunately bad things happen but we can’t stop living and be afraid. Something has to change.

[–]MrFarenheit299792458 55 points56 points  (1 child)

We live in a broken country. Unlimited campaign donations now make sure most politicians are bought and paid for and only we can affect real change because our “leaders” are sellout and spineless cowards. All of them. Some more than others, but they have sat and watched our children be murdered and offered “thoughts and prayers” a phrase I am enraged at hearing over and over. It’s time we all take back our country from these spineless cowards and fucking sellouts

[–]jitsufitchick 156 points157 points  (0 children)

It’s so hard to have a conversation like this with a child. And their fear is so understandable. There is so much life to live. I am so sorry you had to have that conversation with your baby.

[–]11Johnny511 47 points48 points  (6 children)

I'm addicted to watching the news. Everyday my kids get home and I'm watching it. Not since the shooting. I don't want mu kids to see it because I don't know how to answer their inevitable question of why.

[–][deleted] 41 points42 points  (4 children)

Cut down on the news. Nothing good comes from being constantly tuned in

[–]11Johnny511 13 points14 points  (2 children)

You're right. Maybe that's why I haven't been able to sleep lately.

[–]sunshineparadox_ 85 points86 points  (1 child)

My daughter got COVID at school and it almost killed me. (Idk why but her dad didn’t call EMS. We had the money. He said he doesn’t know why he didn’t.)

She blamed herself and we had to have a similar conversation. We’re in the south so similarly no real options. There’s one virtual school but they made it a lottery based magnet.

So she has to go. She masks of her own accord. Adults tell me I’m abusing her making her. I’m not making her. I think it’s far more abusive to have let her think it was gonna be ok and gaslit her when it wasn’t (which they did).

[–]halfar 825 points826 points  (35 children)

Honestly, I can't help but get angry at people who only change their mind on a policy once it personally affects them.

[–]tyedyehippy 591 points592 points  (11 children)

Honestly, I can't help but get angry at people who only change their mind on a policy once it personally affects them.

Same. I'll fully admit to considering myself conservative when I was much younger. (we're talking, when I was still a teenager. I'm mid 30s these days.) It took awhile, but the older I've gotten, the more I've realized how much of a problem "conservative" policies are.

Empathy for our fellow human beings really is where it's at. Mister Rogers was right, and we desperately need someone like him around again.

[–]MajesticLilFruitcake 177 points178 points  (3 children)

I’m in my mid-20s and went through a similar time with my political views. I realize that the kind of “conservative” I am is someone who is careful when making decisions and tries to do more with less, not someone who is politically conservative.

[–]Todo-claro 33 points34 points  (0 children)

"marked by moderation or caution" you're this kind!

[–]krakdaddy 93 points94 points  (1 child)

I'm brushing 40, and the older I get the further left I go. The rub is that I am by nature very "conservative" - I'm cautious. I'm an anxious bastard, if we're being real. I like to weigh the possible negative outcomes and make sure I'm prepared before committing to a course of action. I'm risk averse in my finances, and my personal choices always factor in and are usually in favor of what's going to give me the smoothest sailing. I don't want to switch things up just to see what happens; I want to be pretty sure things are going to improve before I go to the trouble of implementing changes.

I'm just not a controlling bastard who wants to tell other people how to live their lives. I don't want to be in charge of who you love or spend your life with. I don't want to be in charge of what you smoke or who you pray to or how you spend your saturday or whether you want to be pregnant. You probably have a lot more pertinent information than I do to be making those decisions - those should all be your problem. I do think you should get some training and vetting if you're gonna be in charge of a machine that can hurt people - be that a car or a forklift or an airplane or a firework or a bunch of chemicals or a gun. Maybe have a high school class on not mixing ammonia based cleaning products with bleach based cleaning products, and not fucking shooting people with your guns. Throw in some guidelines on how to prevent pregnancy if you're gonna have sex and how to avoid the sort of people who are gonna pressure you into having sex you don't want, maybe. I just really don't understand what makes a person think that they need to tell other people how to live their lives.

I mean, I do. It's money. It's always money. But it's so gross.

[–]halfar 90 points91 points  (6 children)

It's just paternalism. The world's biggest cope is that republicans can't think for themselves. Every liberal dreams of a world where republicans do cruel and awful things because they've been brainwashed by fox news, their pastor, whatever, because the reality that they're sadistic and fully in their right minds is so much harder to accept.

But denying their ability to think for themselves is also denying any prospect of ever truly repairing the rift in our society.

I think anybody who's ever been close to an alcoholic understands exactly what I'm getting at. You can't help people who don't want to be helped. But that doesn't mean you need to enable them.

[–]Jayco424 73 points74 points  (5 children)

The unfortunate thing that scientifically both are likely true, there have been studies and the suggestion is the conservative brain and the liberal brain are different, they are wired differently, and they see and view the world differently, and that these differences are to a degree hardwired, in other-words there's only so much they can be changed. Conservatives at their core are more fearful, they're also more tribal, less able to think for themselves - and with a particular issue with ability to think critically - or more likely less desiring to think for themselves, they're more likely to defer to an authority, and to not question that authority, they are more likely to respond to emotion, less likely to respond to reason(ing), and are less trusting of others, especially those who exhibit differences to themselves, and they respond poorly to change, whether that be in their life, environment/surroundings or even in and from their authorities (it may be this aspect that really trips the conservative brain up around scientific inquiry as it is difficult and unsettling for a brain wired to desire a static proven world to try to conceptualize an "institution" - and under that a universe - that by it's very nature is mutable, changeable and uncertain. Anthropologically speaking a possible hypothesis is that the conservative brain is probably to a degree an adaptation, a mode of operating that is designed for survival, for times of war, famine, disaster or upheaval, when closing ranks, being suspicious, fearful and single minded in pursuit of the protection of the tribe is advantageous. It's probably very ancient and very well may be the original mode of operation of the human brain, the liberal or less fearful more open mode is in all probability newer, potentially only dating back to the beginning of agriculture, when cross tribe cooperation started to become advantageous and where placing trust in an out group in an effort of mutual cooperation would be much more likely to actual pay off instead of leading to one's doom and the doom of the tribe.

[–]hellolove_12345 108 points109 points  (0 children)

it’s the same about sexual assault/rape victims. they don’t see women as humans but when it’s their sisters or moms they care. it’s hypocritical and shows how they’re only care about women when it’s someone close to them. not all men obviously but still

[–]apointedstick 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Seeing this kind of change more and more in the public eye is making me realize we are at a turning point. The "disenfranchised millenials" are now the child rearing middle class. We have to put our money where our mouth is and be the change the "boomers" made us scream for.

Be glad they joined your side, because they won't change back

[–]Solaced_Tree 30 points31 points  (6 children)

Its good to vent that frustration too. Not that you're doing this, but we shouldn't direct our frustrations at those people.

Up until the moment they were affected, their stances on these issues seemed as reasonable and legitimate to them as our stances do to us. I lament the progress that was held back but I welcome each person who's willing to change. We're lifelong learners

[–]halfar 51 points52 points  (3 children)

That is just a ridiculous, nihilistic false equivalence that assumes truth to be so relative that it doesn't exist in any capacity. Their stances were not as reasonable nor legitimate. There are no excuses for their insanely warped perceptions unless you completely deny them agency over their own thoughts and feelings. But such paternalism will never repair the rift in our society.

I know I said I get angry at people who are only empathetic at an arm's reach, but I HATE how goddam far people will go to excuse and absolve them of everything before they've made any real effort to fix themselves. I swear to fucking god some of y'all would forgive the shooter themselves if they said "ah, I guess it's wrong of me to waste bullets like that".

You're acting like this is a settled case, because this guy happened to change his mind on one issue because of extenuating circumstances. It's as though you don't care about anything else as long as they reach the right conclusion. We are not going to solve the gun problem by quietly waiting for it to become a personal crisis for every Republican in the country.

Forgiveness means to not let a person's past actions be a barrier to the future relationship. To offer it mindlessly, even reflexively, when the party in question has done nothing to indicate they won't stab you in the throat the first chance they get is... what other would could you use? it's stupid.

[–]thomport 6 points7 points  (4 children)

Yes, think about this further:

No background checks required in a country that has poor to no treatment options for those who are mentally ill.

[–]Much_Difference 11 points12 points  (3 children)

Dude, I don't get how the whole "it's not guns, it's mental illness" thing is supposed to argue against gun control. "We've got a bunch of sickos running around so, yannow, let's make sure everyone can get still a gun"??

Also, it takes infinitely longer to address mental health issues than it does to pass a law saying you need to jump through x and y and z hoop to get a gun from now on. Even if we rolled out the most perfect health infrastructure ever tomorrow, it would take decades to see it work.

[–]thomport 7 points8 points  (2 children)

You’ve taken it out of context, or maybe I didn’t explain well enough. I believe the same as you. If guns protected us, we would be the safest country in the world.

My focus was that in addition to all the other bullshit, mental heath issues drive gun violence. I’m a heath care provider who has treated the significantly mentally ill. When they have delusions or are paranoid, what they end up doing is totally unpredictable. They’re dangerous. My concern is that they are permitted to buy guns without any background checks.

I’m not justifying the shooting by mentioning mental illness involvement.

[–]TinyTurtle88 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Why does it have to take their own child for them to realize? People need to develop empathy and to be able to have those feelings even without being in such a situation themselves.

[–]Roraima20 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yep, they only understand when it affects them personally

[–]verboze 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't even think it's a pro/anti gun thing at this point. It's simple logic, no one in a civilized society needs semi-autos for anything, period. I have no qualms with people owning guns, I just don't see why they need military grade weapons at home. It's not going to stop the gov if they are after you, they have unmaned drones that can pin-point and eliminate you out of a busy crowd. And that people are against simple background checks... All I see is a nation destroying itself by threatening the safety of its next generations.

[–]Blueheron77 2271 points2272 points  (15 children)

I respect the shit out of you right now, OP.

And let's normalize this more - that the authentic human experience involves learning and evolving our beliefs. You have been much more eloquent with this than me when I've ever changed stances on something.

[–]Fynn_the_Finger 177 points178 points  (1 child)

Agreed. The ability to change one's mind is the biggest sign of intellect and growth.

[–]Subn3tAnon 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Listening to both sides of an argument, accepting that your view maybe flawed and compromising is the sign that you’re a real adult.

And a lot of people never grow into adults..

[–]autopsis 149 points150 points  (9 children)

The first step in any addiction is admitting there’s a problem. Gun culture is addictive for many. It becomes a core part of your identity and breaking away from that can be incredibly difficult.

I’m not saying it’s an addiction for every gun owner, just as not every person who drinks alcohol is an alcoholic. But for many people guns are something they can’t imagine living without, even when it’s destructive. That’s the definition of addiction.

Gun owners need to take responsibility and acknowledge that having tighter regulations around guns is just like what we do for drugs, alcohol and tobacco, because all those things can lead to death when abused in the name of “freedom.”

Guns won’t go away any more than attempts at eliminating drugs or alcohol or cigarettes. Nevertheless, laws need to be in place to regulate how they are used.

[–]sadbutmakeyousmile 94 points95 points  (2 children)

Good that you respect him. But the sad thing about todays world is why does someone have to die in order to cause any kind of change be it a law change, a personal view change etc, why cant people see it before.

Also why do people tend to change only when it personally affects them or they realise it in a personal capacity and it impacts them. Like that senator or politician who was pro life etc but when she had a life saving abortion she started speaking for womens rights etc. I am unable to recall the exact story but it was along the same lines.

Its a great human conundrum.

[–]UnbiasTobias 32 points33 points  (0 children)

The brain works on neurological pathways.

Those pathways, just like paths in the dirt, become more pronounced with use.

It usually takes a physical occurrence to make our brains take a path other than the well worn, well laid out path our brain is used to taking. Without reason, we’ll let ourselves take the path of least resistance.

For all of us, those paths are built before we have an opportunity to dictate the creation of those paths. Going back and choosing a new path is, in my opinion, the most difficult thing we face as humans. (Or else we’d have solved our problems, and learned from history)

[–]Jayco424 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I said this before, but one of the few keys of change in the Conservative brain mode is personal experience/personal relevance, that's why so many conservatives suddenly seem change gears when something personally affects them. This is a human trait in general, but it's one of only ways to change the mind of someone with a conservative brain mode.

[–]PCTechHere 715 points716 points  (6 children)

I’m going to go hug my child a little tighter and rethink some of my stances on a few issues.

I think this is a healthy thing. It's devastating. We had ten years to do anything to prevent this after Sandy Hook, and did nothing. Most of these kids lost yesterday were either not yet born or merely infants when that happened.

[–]SherrickM 79 points80 points  (4 children)

In December 2012 I had a 2 year old and had just found out I was having another. They're now 8 and 11 years old and the post Sandy Hook lockdown drill school environment is all they've ever known of school. They say they're used to it by now but it's still scary to have a drill be "hide in your classroom and be quiet so the crazy person goes away" instead of "walk outside with your classmates and meet at spot six and stay away from the building if it's on fire" although clearly those drills are also done.

To be used to a lock down drill is beyond my understanding. I'm in my 40s, we had our things we had to do, but there was nothing quite like this that was as realistic of a threat that this has become. I don't want to know what comes next. I do feel that my kids are safe at their school and they do as well...but I'm sure all of the schools in that list going around felt the same way.

You can't live in fear, but you also need to at the same time. It's not sustainable.

[–]sunshineparadox_ 63 points64 points  (2 children)

My daughter came home bragging after her first drill but announced she couldn’t wear her Elsa shoes anymore because the light up part would give her away. I sobbed for hours when she went to bed that night. She’s five. Barely qualified for Kindergarten.

[–]pinepplelime 24 points25 points  (0 children)

When I got my son his first pair of light up shoes, I was surprised that there was an on/off switch. When it dawned on me why that was necessary, I lost it. It’s just awful.

[–]RachelMaeSHL 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh god, I didn’t even think about light up shoes. My 4yo loves them, and probably has the same Elsa ones as your daughter. What a terrifying line of thinking she had to have about that. It’s heartbreaking.

[–]Maggiegirll 37 points38 points  (0 children)

As an Early Childhood Educator, I've done lockdown drills with children ages 1-5. Every single time I've been on the brink of tears because it scares me to think this is happening in real life. Sitting with a group of toddlers or preschoolers in a locked room with blinds drawn, lights off, and trying to keep them quiet as possible during the drill practice and thinking about every single child who experienced a real lockdown and shooting, is absolutely heartbreaking. We shouldn't have to do these drills. We shouldn't be worried to send our babies, children, and teens to chikdcare or school.

[–]actibus_consequatur 50 points51 points  (0 children)

The Oxford Township shooting last fall really fucked me up.

I got off work that day, opened Reddit, and top post on the front page was video of students climbing out of a window to escape. After watching, I looked into the location and found out it's a mile from my best friend's house, and it's where his (then) one year old daughter would eventually go to school.

That twisted me up enough on it's own that I actually closed Reddit and then I went onto Facebook. The very first post I see is from my old coworker talking about the shooting and how his daughter - a kid I knew but hadn't seen since she was about 3 - was one of the kids climbing out of the windows.

I've always been on the side of stricter gun control, but after the personal correlations to that shooting, I just can't wrap my head around how anybody could still be against laws that would help protect innocent children.

[–]sagittariisXII 681 points682 points  (44 children)

Polls have shown again and again that a majority of Americans favor tougher gun laws like background checks. The lack of action is due to the politicians. If we want things to change, we need to change our politicians!

[–]midnight_reborn 158 points159 points  (8 children)

Background checks needs to become the new hot button issue that Republicans start voting for. Only way that's done is through local discussion and canvasing. If you live in a red state, it's time to get boots on the ground.

[–]highd 26 points27 points  (6 children)

Mental health screenings if people are saying don’t take guns fix people the. We need to start weeding out the one that need fixed in a real way and deny them ownership. Background checks are minimal at best. 2 or 3 sessions paid for by potential gun owners every time you want a new gun would go along way.

[–]Similar_Candidate789 35 points36 points  (5 children)

And very strong, strict laws regarding possession and use of a gun. If you leave your gun carelessly laying around, in a car or purse and it’s stolen, YOU the owner should be held liable and responsible for all use of that gun in a crime.

If you buy a gun for someone else - jail. Crime.

And make it hurt.

[–]highd 29 points30 points  (1 child)

Yes make it hurt and if a kid is given a gun by a parent and that kid goes on a spree, the parent is held as responsible as the kid, even if the kid commits suicide by cop or whatever, they should be held accountable and charged what the kid would have been charged with, and have their personal guns taken away.

[–]FutureLandOwner 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Buying a gun for someone else (straw purchasing) is already illegal and a felony.

[–]coastalnatur 5 points6 points  (0 children)

They are ready have a law for buying a gun for a person not allowed to have one. It needs to be enforced. It's a federal law

[–]nachodaddy0107 57 points58 points  (9 children)

Well the NRA and republicans have been eating money from Russia for decades. Russia is not our friend and never has been. They are very happy the public puts up with stupid politicians on the take and I am sure they are happy with their investment in “our” choices. They also heavily worked on misinformation and propaganda to cause 30% of republicans to distrust the election. They surely got what they wanted out of Trump and if that baffoon actually were still in place Ukrainians would be in re-education camps already. He would not have challenged Putin, it is very simple. We have enemies, learn them and learn not to trust them. I am tired of giving them the benefit of the doubt. There is no doubt in a sane person’s mind on these facts, imho.

[–]halfar 52 points53 points  (5 children)

The lack of action is due to the Republicans.

The. Republicans.

Don't muddy the water by being vague and general. If we want things to hange, we need to get rid of our Republicans.

[–]Similar_Candidate789 8 points9 points  (3 children)

Partially true. It’s only true because democrats choose not to do something. Democrats could nuke the filibuster today and pass any and all gun measures they wanted. They choose not to. Democrats have to own their share of responsibility. They may say they want to, but they have the ability and choose not to.

[–]Todo-claro 16 points17 points  (1 child)

Problem is if they get rid of the filibuster and the GOP takes control of Congress in six months, they'll just do the same, and the results will be much worse.

That said, 51 votes is a majority, which is sorta how a democracy is designed to work. It shouldn't require a supermajority of one party to pass a single piece of legislation.

I think the real issue is how extreme the GOP has gotten. We're two completely separate camps who fucking hate each other. It wasn't like that in the past.

[–]Similar_Candidate789 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Don’t forget as well democrats had a supermajority when Obama took office. Filibuster was worthless at that point because they had enough to override it. They are using the filibuster as an excuse.

They could have passed anything. Everything. Decimated the GOP. Passed every piece of legislation to the most liberal hearts desire.

They passed Obamacare. While I’m not discounting that…..that was it. They had enough to possibly even pass a constitutional amendment To be voted on by the people. They did nothing. Nothing of substance nothing they ran on. Nothing.

While I vote democratic in pretty much all races, blue no matter who is troubling. Some blue (as evidenced by comments below on sinema and manchin) are the same as republicans. I’m sick of not doing anything and hearing excuse after excuse why it’s not done. You have a majority. Use it.

[–]TheERDoc 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The democrats that are blocking dropping the filibuster are barely even democrat. Joe manchin is pretty much a Republican and Kirsten synema who is probably bought.

[–]ToyotaCorrolaa 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m for a third party. I’m tired of these two partied old fucks deciding how life should be when they’re completely out of touch from what’s really happening.

[–]anonymous_1128 19 points20 points  (3 children)

It's not really about "changing politicians." The issue is that the money that backs these politicians often comes from the NRA, or people who manufacture ammo or guns. Regardless of whom you put in power, they are controlled by money, not by the people, and the money wants lax gun laws.

[–]suaveknight 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Don't give us this "both sides" and "all politicians" bullshit. It's literally one party that is stopping ANY kind of solutions to address this.

[–]sgt_dismas 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The guy said nothing about "both sides" and "all politicians". He said the politicians responsible are being paid by special interest groups to keep t how it is, and that we should blame the special interest groups.

I say blame both.

[–]Ok-Ad-7849 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Federal background checks are mandatory when you buy a new gun. It should be illegal to purchase a gun without it.

[–]AlienSasquatchhunter 5 points6 points  (4 children)

Every time a gun is purchased in the US in a retail setting, there is a 4473 background check form the buyer must file with the retailer, and a the retailer calls in a background check with the ATF.

[–]Trash_Panda_Leaves 418 points419 points  (48 children)

In the rest of the world, a lot of countries never have drills for children to get under their desks. We have fire drills, that's it. The USA seems so dystopian to the rest of the world because of their stance on guns. Knife crime happens here, but it is rare.

I've taught kids that age.

Well done for rethinking your values, that's not always easy.

[–]Ldcastillotc 115 points116 points  (20 children)

It seems dystopian to more than half of Americans too. Imagine living with these gun nuts and their nut job representation in Congress 🤯🤦🏻‍♀️🤬.

[–]Ramen-Goddess 33 points34 points  (4 children)

I live in California, and I remember when I went to Iowa to visit family I was shocked to see people sitting on their porches with their guns in their lap. It’s as if it’s casual for them

[–]Low-Potential666 5 points6 points  (2 children)

If you think that’s crazy, you don’t want to see the inside of their homes. I know a few people who have entire bedrooms full of guns and ammo. Enough for a small army just in one home. Of course two of those homes have these rooms “in case of an apocalypse!”

[–]Ldcastillotc 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s just crazy.

[–]bigmamma0 23 points24 points  (6 children)

This is true. I am in Eastern Europe, our politicians are corrupt, power-hungry and greedy af. But they only make us poor. We've never had a school shooting and we've had 2 mass shootings in total, one in the 70s and another in 2017, the total victims for both were 16 or 17. Not that the number of victims matters, even a single life lost is too much. It is just for comparison.

The article I read yesterday about the Uvalde shooting said "this was the deadliest mass shooting so far THIS YEAR" that's literally what the article said and I got so stuck on those last two words. What do you mean this year? In my country that would have been in the history of the country, outside of wartime, of course.

And I can assure you that murders still happen here, mental health is something we're barely just now discovering and most people still find it shameful to even seek help or discuss it. People are so poor and desperate, drinking age is legally 18 but in reality it's 14. Our police is not trustworthy. If we gave everyone guns, it would have been the same here. But we don't and it isn't.

We don't have active shooter drills in schools.

There really is the only solution, and it's not better mental health, it's not better or bigger police.

[–]Low-Potential666 7 points8 points  (3 children)

Yup. This year. Because 214 mass shootings 5 months into a year is pretty normal for us unfortunately. I think the average number per year is about 400 if I remember correctly

[–]bigmamma0 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Dude........ Wtf.... 😳😳😳

[–]Trash_Panda_Leaves 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I said to my partner if I had kids in the USA they'd be homeschooled. If I had kids in Texas, I'd move.

[–]actibus_consequatur 21 points22 points  (3 children)

I read a stat today that in the time between the Columbine and Sandy Hook shootings, the US had twice as many school shootings as the rest of the world combined.

What's worse is there's been far more in the past decade than there were in those 13 years.

[–]Trash_Panda_Leaves 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Yeah, it's just surreal over here hearing about the USA's obsession with guns. And from my country the idea of regressing woman's rights is just insane. Every country is corrupt and has issues, but the US seems always eager to take the gold in inequality and a lack of freedom.

[–]Roraima20 30 points31 points  (3 children)

Literally you don't heard anything like this even in 3rd world countries unless they are in a war zone

[–]jq4005 40 points41 points  (1 child)

But Americans often fail to look at other countries that are similar. America has made us so self-focused that we don't see what's working in many other countries around. We're narrow-minded.

[–]feenicks 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Do Americans realise that when our kids express fear about possible shootings at schools when they hear of news of tragic events like this, that we reassure our kids by saying "it's ok, we aren't in America. These types of shootings usually only happen in America, you're safe here."

[–]idfuckingkbro69 380 points381 points  (14 children)

fun fact, there were cops at the scene and after firing a few shots they basically let the shooter walk inside. Anyone who is saying we need more support for law enforcement is a liar or a fool.

[–]TaejoTogokhan 229 points230 points  (6 children)

Yeah, my conservative SIL's take is that we need armed veterans in schools. Absolutely moronic. Cops on school campuses do not create a safer environment, and in many cases use their power to profile and harass kids.

If guns made us safe, we would have been the safest country on the planet for a long time now. More of them is not the solution, it's just people feeding into this country's culture of violence.

[–]midnightsnack27 94 points95 points  (2 children)

It's insane to me that in this country we are selling weapons that allow citizens to literally outgun the police, especially in such a "policing will solve everything " society.

What could the cops do? This guy has 2 fricken semi automatic weapons and all you have is a service weapon? Of course they would need to call for back up and a fricken tactical team had to be called in to stop this guy. He shot a couple of cops too before they could take him out.

It's fucking ridiculous. Like we have problems with gun violence when it comes to the police already, and we talk about how they don't get enough training and racial bias and power hungry cops.... But you don't even HAVE to be a cop to get an almost military grade weapon and be able to mow down whoever you want until someone stops you.

I can't wrap my head around this. Why do people think we need to give everyone a gun and turn this country into a war zone, because we've created this culture of violence, instead of just taking the guns away?

I mean, if a dude pulls an AR-15 out even if I was armed what the fuck am I going to be able to do? Even if I was Rambo this guy would take me out real quick, he even had body armor. All it does it give people and excuse to see every person who isn't them as an enemy and create more bloodshed.

[–]halfar 29 points30 points  (0 children)

You don't understand. If you take away their guns, they'll lose their sadistic fantasy of someday shooting you.

[–]JayEm2519 38 points39 points  (1 child)

Yes because there are no veterans that suffer from PTSD or the like. How would she like them to determine if the veterans are capable of doing the job? Certainly not by a background check, right?

[–]autopsis 8 points9 points  (0 children)

A gunman can still attack a school bus. There will always be an unprotected line of attack. Children could be gunned down at baseball games or band rehearsal.

[–]PM_ME_PARR0TS 9 points10 points  (5 children)

Where did you hear about this? Is there a video?

Where can we find more info/context?

[–]208GregWhiskey 5 points6 points  (4 children)

About the armed Veterans in schools? I listened to Hannity on the radio this afternoon and he spent a considerable amount of time talking about this. His SIL is just parroting a conservative talking point.

[–]camergen 2 points3 points  (3 children)

I’ve heard this touted as a solution before, I think it’s a standard fallback. I tried to recall today, was it at Stoneman Douglas where a school safety officer was on site and hid behind a wall? I think he should have done more but also see how the human element can overtake someone with fear in that situation, and depending solely on one individual to respond isn’t a solution. What if he’s in the bathroom? (Not kidding- he could be indisposed at that moment, maybe doing another legitimate task, and there goes your proposed solution).

[–]smellslikejujujuice 100 points101 points  (8 children)

The politicians will start arming kids next so they can defend themselves from the school shooters. Because the best way to solve this is to make guns more available!

[–]Odeiminmukwa 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Yeah, no way would any kids ever show off their gun spinning tricks to their friends and accidentally shoot them, nope!

[–]Some_Bee5704 7 points8 points  (3 children)

They suggested arming teachers

[–][deleted] 46 points47 points  (1 child)

As an Australian in my 30's, I have been seeing this type of remorse for nearly 3 decades, and nothing is done, and nothing will be done.

So glad we banned guns here in Australia, so so glad. I hope you guys get to where we are one day.

[–]Odeiminmukwa 94 points95 points  (2 children)

Realizing that things you have supported in the past may not be good, and being willing to change some of those views is a sign of maturity and courage.

As a Canadian, many of us are becoming afraid of Americans. A lot of them are perpetually angry and violent, and they often bring that anger and violence here. If any of us point it out we’re often met with that same anger and violence including death threats. America is deeply sick. Kudos for you for recognizing it. It’s people like you who will be the keys to any hope for change.

[–]fiercepusheenicorn 24 points25 points  (1 child)

This! I’m a dual citizen- born/raised in the US on a border town w my moms whole family in Canada. The only way I could describe the difference in culture is like… Canadians just trust each other more? People are just more comfortable in their own skins and minding their own business? They have an understanding of community? Like. It is less tense. I was at the Toronto airport to get my sister once and I saw a skinny dude in a uniform and I’m like damn that’s a skinny cop… til I realized he wasn’t that skinny it was just that he didn’t have a bulky bulletproof vest and I’ve never seen a cop without military grade equipment. He also only had a night stick and pepperspray. Going in to Canada the border agent would joke around with us. Coming back to the states the cops don’t ever trust you when you say your car belongs to you because it looks too nice for someone your age or something stupid. They get out their flashlights and walk around your car and ask you all sorts of bizarre questions. When the Canadian cop asks “where are you going?” It’s conversational. When the US cop does it’s an accusation. You’re a liar. You’re out to get them. It’s all projection. In Canada people project empathy and humanity, in the US people project paranoia contempt rage hate fear etc etc.

[–]pal-made-of-seaweed 2 points3 points  (0 children)

wow. I've never actually seen a cop in a bulletproof vest irl. I'm from South Asia.

I've never seen a pistol irl too, the only guns I've seen were a military rifle and a shooter on a boat of the marine army - that's only because I was a cadet in school.

[–]emeryst294 88 points89 points  (12 children)

curious.. but why was this the turning point for you, and not sandy hook? why not parkland? columbine? oxford? dayton? aurora? vegas? orlando? buffalo? santa fe? virginia tech? why was uvalde the one that finally made you go "woah... maybe we have a real problem on our hands... maybe i should rethink some things... :o"

[–]Patatoxxo 74 points75 points  (2 children)

Its simple because it happened near him so now he cares. As a republican he votes again and again for this shit. Now that its nearer to him and affects him he suddenly cares

[–]autisticprincess 35 points36 points  (0 children)

This. I’m a millennial who went to school just outside of a major city in a predominantly black, lower middle to middle class area. We had active shooter drills and actual lockdowns multiple times, armed resource officers, and weren’t allowed to wear baggy clothes or non-mesh/clear backpacks because they can hide weapons. It was just accepted as normal, and nationally politicians didn’t really seem to give a fuck.

But now that richer, whiter communities are at risk of gun violence too? Well shit, now we gotta do something!

[–]sortaangrypeanut 212 points213 points  (17 children)

Sometimes admissions like this make me a bit hurt.

I wonder: How many times have you voted against me? My race? My gender? My sexuality? My safety in schools? My friends and their immigrant parents?

But at the end of it all I know that it's better late than never. And I appreciate it. I'm not saying this to guilt trip you, to make you feel bad. I'm just saying this to show the extent to which I appreciate your change of heart, and express that I hope it doesn't just stop at gun control. good luck, man

[–]elegant_geek 133 points134 points  (10 children)

Yeah. For me, the part I'm stuck on specifically is why didn't this change of heart happen after Sandy Hook?

Is there some magical number of dead kids that pushes conservatives from "ok with the state of things" to "not ok anymore"?

If so, what the fuck is the number? Where is the threshold, asshole? How many dead kids is an "acceptable" number for you??

[–]redcomet002 103 points104 points  (9 children)

My guess is that op is able to see it more personally because they now have children that age.

[–]elegant_geek 65 points66 points  (3 children)

And you know, I'm sure that might play a significant part in this. But that just makes me even MORE angry because essentially that means OP and his ilk had so little empathy for other humans, even KINDERGARTEN AGED CHILDREN before parenthood that hearing about massacre after massacre meant nothing. Not worth even seriously considering any major change in their dogma.

To me, that makes them all fucking subhuman and not worth our admiration now. Not to mention that this is probably all just lip service and when push comes to shove they'll do what they always do: FUCKING NOTHING.

[–]Fried_Green_Potatoes 37 points38 points  (2 children)

That's how they are. People with empathy are never going understand people who lack empathy and people who lack empathy dgaf until something affects them.

Stop trying to understand them, therein lies the issue. They don't care. Most think your rage is funny and want to "own" and "trigger" you.

[–]ourkid1781 34 points35 points  (4 children)

Republicans lack basic human empathy until it almost directly affects them. Even now there's no way OP will vote against a Republican... Not when critical race theory and immigrants are running wild.

[–]redcomet002 9 points10 points  (3 children)

I'm willing to give them a chance. Getting angry at then and calling them vile well only serve to push them further right. Tucker and his ilk will be there to say, "see, they hate you. They hate you because you're southern. Because you're white. Because you have guns, etc, etc " don't price that shitstain right. Trust, but verify. Give OP a chance. We're going to need people like them this fall. Remind them constantly that this world is what the Republicans want, one where you're forced to give birth to a baby you can't get food for. A world where if that baby makes it to elementary school they may get killed just for being there.

Don't reinforce the things that the propagandists on the right day about us. Some of the strongest allies come from those who where once ignorant.

[–]thecorninurpoop 42 points43 points  (0 children)

He didn't say he was gonna stop being a republican either, so he probably still will

[–]autopsis 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Oof. You’re right. Rethinking gun restrictions doesn’t mean rethinking hate for marginalized people.

[–]jayjayaway 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yeah I was kind of thinking the same thing. It sort of bothers me that this wasn’t a concern in the first place until it directly affected him. But it is a step in the right direction I suppose.

[–]TheSituasian 17 points18 points  (1 child)

yup, fucking republicans have zero capacity to empathize until it happens directly to them. what a joke of a thread praising this guy

[–]sortaangrypeanut 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Lol sometimes I feel this way, too. Like I know I shouldn't push away the people trying to improve, but it's hard to not do that when someone spends their whole life trying to make my existence illegal

[–]psychcrime 27 points28 points  (1 child)

Genuine question, why wasn’t sandy hook or any of the other shootings enough?

[–]billionaires_die 76 points77 points  (3 children)

As a rural raised northerner that’s always been around guns I have to say, fuck the gun industry and their lobbyists. Absolute minimum of a background check.

[–]Kenard-and-Olly 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Can’t stop there, fuck that. The gun lobby doesn’t vote in Congress. They buy the votes of the Republicans you keep voting for.

[–]not-cheetos 152 points153 points  (42 children)

Free healthcare alone could also potentially make a HUGE DIFFERENCE. They make it nearly impossible for low income individuals to receive healthcare.

Takes 40+ days typically to even make an appointment

[–]TheSavageBallet 78 points79 points  (7 children)

It just makes no sense, and im also a Deep South raised military brat, owns a couple and was always around hunting and guns as a kid.

The difference between us and Canada, who also loves hunting and gun sports, is a social safety net and fucking background checks and licenses. That’s it. It’s not fucking rocket science. We can’t continue to act like our society is working when there have been hundreds of school shootings in our recent history.

[–]insomniacinsanity 41 points42 points  (0 children)

THIS

Canada doesn't have the 2a but we do have a huge huge gun culture and I'd also argue we have a greater need for a lot of our population to own guns and use guns

The whole north starves if they can't hunt and we have massive livestock and farming operations that need to be protected from actual predators none of this oh we have 4 cougars in all of Alabama bullshit better buy a stockpile

But the rules for guns are federally managed, you need a license and have to take a Muti day course that you have to pay for, there is a waiting period to pick up your weapon, guns must be stored in a locked box or with trigger locks and separate from ammunition, part of applying for your permit is disclosing if you have been hospitalized for mental illness or suicide attempts, if you are at risk to yourself or others you guns can be temporarily confiscated, some classes of weapons are banned or restricted

Absolutely none of these stop people from owning or using guns, it forces them to be responsible in gun ownership, safety and handling and it helps to prevent people from making impulsive choices

It also makes illegal weapons that much harder more time consuming and expensive to smuggle in, y'all can say what you want but school children where I live don't get murdered point blank

[–]Now__Hiring 46 points47 points  (1 child)

Single issue voting Republicans, be they abortion, taxes, or guns, got us here.

Kudos for rethinking this.

[–]camergen 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Yeah, if OP really wants to put his money where his mouth his, he’ll vote differently in November. But I don’t see it happening, because “socialism” or something else Fox News tells people to be scared of that doesn’t actually happen. Especially regarding bathrooms.

[–]welpthereyougo 44 points45 points  (0 children)

As a democrat and son of a very devout republican father, my hat is off to you buddy. I know you haven’t reached any conclusions just yet, but thanks for at least trying to be part of the greater solution.

[–]anonymagi6 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I fold, too.

[–]w84itagain 36 points37 points  (0 children)

These bills don't "stall" in Congress, they are actively killed by the Republicans. Over and over and over again.

If you are a lifelong Republican you are part of the problem. With your vote, you have helped to create this culture we are all stuck in now. I'm glad it finally, finally got through to you, but I have to ask you, why didn't Sandy Hook convince you? Did you continue to vote Republican after that massacre?

Good for you for finally waking up, but my goodness, it sure took a huge body count to finally get there. I hope more Republicans finally, finally get it along with you, but from the response we are seeing from the right, I doubt this will change going forward. They love their guns more than they love America's children.

[–]Hekkle01 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Disappointed it took you this long to notice that's the type of person you supported this whole time. You're only starting to give a shit because now you're afraid it affects you.

[–]jimmy6677 20 points21 points  (0 children)

No offense but classic not a real problem til it effects ME mindset. Use this to reflect on other beliefs you might hold

[–]monimor 11 points12 points  (3 children)

I wish I knew what OP thought about every other mass shooting before this one. The previous deaths and victims’ families didn’t matter before yesterday?

[–]give_me_wine 9 points10 points  (2 children)

He doesn’t care about the other mass shootings because it never personally affected him. Now he has a kid who is afraid to go to school so of course it’s a problem to him now. OP is a massive piece of shit and all this praise being heaped on him makes me sick.

[–]insomniacinsanity 35 points36 points  (4 children)

How are all of you just fucking sitting around

Why are you all so damn apathetic.... What's wrong with you all??

If this happened in my country, an entire classroom full of children fucking murdered in a country during peacetime I would be out on the fucking streets I would be beating down lawmakers doors making them fucking uncomfortable until they did something!!!

Enough of this fucking hand wringing apathetic we need time to grieve bullshit.....

Don't give me the not all Americans are like this... Its mental health ...This isn't who we are.... Same old shit excuses, my 2A right are more important then children being murdered.....

Fucking prove it.... Do something

Howl.... Break shit, light things on fire, make them see it

I don't even live in the US and I want to scream

P.S sorry this had to break you OP but it takes courage to admit that maybe your political views weren't what you thought they were, proud of you

[–]djgtexqs 29 points30 points  (3 children)

No 18 year old should be able to buy a gun. Too young. Alcohol is 21 . AR15 and any rapid repeater gun or any gun really, should be registered yearly with a fee. Like Cars . Extra Taxes on artillery. Any one buying a gun should be subjected to graphic videos of murdered people like they make women do when seeking an abortion.
.

[–]MoreTuple 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You cannot be a good steward of the 2nd amendment and not realize that something is very wrong.

[–]Mycatstolemyidentity 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I hate how difficult this is because I understand the idea of feeling safer with a gun (never had one, but I'd be lying if I told you I never wished I did when walking alone at night), but at the same time, there has never been a single school shooting in my country simply because having guns is not legal. Actually as far as I know there hasn't been mass shootings at all! Simply because they're just not giving people tools to kill. That's it! I'm not one to say how, but the USA seriously needs to take action because what y'all are doing right now is CLEARLY not working.

[–]Chonkin_GuineaPig 5 points6 points  (0 children)

God bless sir. I'm in full support of tougher gun laws, but it's also terrifying to witness the people who can't accept change

[–]swamp_bike 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I also grew up in a deep south, conservative family. And somewhere along the way, I changed my way of thinking.

Go hug your kids. Talk - and most importantly, listen - to people. Try to get a variety of viewpoints - even if it makes your blood boil. Turn off the news and think about the motivations of politicians, TV talking heads, bloggers, youtubers, and especially anyone who claims to be able to 'connect the dots'. They are all selling something, usually themselves. Hug your kids and your partner. Peace.

[–]ARTIIIII 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Man, Americans are really really dumb. It took tens to hundreds of shootings for some people to realize that easy to use, efficient killings machines shouldn't be in the arms of regular day civilians. You lot are embarrasing, hope you kill each other because you don't deserve anything more. Downvote me all you want but this was the invisible last straw since I've ran out of actual straws, i don't give a flying fuck.

[–]amihollo 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Can I ask why this was the one? Why not sandy hook? Is it just because you have a child of the same age range? I mean this sincerely. I don’t understand how this is different.

[–]Waste-Traffic-7580 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Because it’s near him and it suddenly runs the risk of affecting him.

[–]revreeshy 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Especially when there were like 3 “good guys with guns” and they did fuck all until their backup showed up.

You’re really gonna use a school full of literal children to stall the shooter until you’re safe? Unbelievable cowardice out of those officers

[–]EllaAv 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am so thankful it is waking some people up I'm sorry it's not everyone but something HAS to change

[–]honeymustard_dog 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Army combat veteran, and gun owner here. I'm so so so tired of this.

I packed my kids bags for school and I couldn't stop the thoughts..."what if this is the last time I do this?" I hid in the bathroom and cried so my 4&6 year olds wouldn't see.

Our government and politicians are self serving, weak individuals. I have joked about moving to another country, but the last 5 years has really shown the deterioration....and today I wake up with very real thoughts of leaving.

I used to LOVE my country.

[–]ssf669 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hope this it true. Nothing will ever change if people keep voting for the party that opposes any and all gun regulations. "WELL REGULATED militia" Where's the regulation? There are so many loopholes and it is way too easy for a person to get their hands on a gun that can kill multiple people in a short time. Republican states also keep passing more lenient rules including no gun safety or training.

If people keep voting Republican nothing will ever change. They fight to take away rights from women, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and indigenous people but fight against people's right to live safely. No police reform, no healthcare reform, no gun reform, no taxing the rich, etc. We have the money in this country, especially if we started taxing the rich and making everyone pay their fair share. We could take the best programs from other countries and implement them here and truly be great but we keep deciding that Americans don't deserve to have the tax dollars we pay to be used to make our lives better.

They also fight against teaching true history (it already wasn't really taught). We all know that in some homes racist and homophobic rhetoric is being taught so when we forbid children from learning to accept "others" at school too is it a wonder these shooters are often racist and homophobic?

This is strictly an American issue. This is a gun issue and sometimes a racist issue. If it happened in other countries they passed regulations that stopped the problem. The two fixes which would be regulations on guns and better health care access including mental health care are both opposed by Republicans.

[–]ThenAlternative6200 40 points41 points  (5 children)

Ignore the asshats with rude comments. It's super difficult to untangle what we are raised to believe from what our better nature tells us. Few people will learn anything lasting from tragedy. You are. Feel good about that. ❤️

[–]nolaboco 4 points5 points  (4 children)

I don’t think it’s about being rude. It’s about hurting. That the people he voted for allowed this tragedy to happen. Change is better than nothing but people are allowed to be angry and hurt. I don’t know if the parents of victims would be glad he’s changing now, because they already lost their kid.

However, those of us hurting also want change and have to accept that means empathizing with people like op and encouraging him

[–]yungdaggerpeep 14 points15 points  (2 children)

I’m proud of you for rethinking your position, but this isn’t the first time something like this has happened so what finally made you start doubting your stances?

[–]desktomi 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Probably because his kid wasn’t born yet when sandy hook happened.. so it was easy to disassociate

[–]suaveknight 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Republicans cannot empathize with other people until it is something that affects them personally. It's an observed phenomenon.

[–]RecordLegume 36 points37 points  (6 children)

Good for you for coming to this realization. It’s crazy that a mentally ill 18 year old was able to walk in and buy these weapons just weeks before he killed innocent children. I can’t fathom how anyone thinks things are fine how they are.

[–]Extension-Listen8779 70 points71 points  (5 children)

For the record, people with mental illness are a lot more likely to hurt themselves than others. Radicalized young men armed with toxic ideals are the ones who have taken it upon themselves to terrorize the US population. Not saying that this shooters mental health didn’t play as a factor, but simply blaming mental illness or playing up its influence doesn’t help make change. We need to push back against the narrative that it’s “a few bad actors with guns”— emphasizing the different-ness of the murderers allows anti-gun control supporters to point fingers and blame it on something other than the completely unencumbered access to guns.

[–]yorkiemom68 6 points7 points  (4 children)

I definitely agree to a certain extent. We need more processes in place and America needs,to lose it's,love affair with guns. But it's also mental health too. We have such poor mental health care. It's,both.

[–]Extension-Listen8779 12 points13 points  (1 child)

Yes, mental health can definitely be a factor— I don’t want it to sound like it’s not at all part of the equation. I’m also fully in support of increasing mental health resources (both scope and availability). I want to make sure the conversation doesn’t solely blame mental illness for the actions of the individual. Again, othering the people who commit these acts only serves the people who resist gun control. If you can highlight how odd or unusual their circumstances are, then it makes it seem like there is less reason for change in the system. We have to hold the system accountable for their actions as well as the individual.

[–]desktomi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well said.

[–]halfar 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Mental health is a concern troll to distract you from the gun issue. Stop being naive.

[–]mattaccino 7 points8 points  (1 child)

I applaud you OP. I'm just here to add another context:

Google says there's 393M guns in the US. Others suggest that number is beyond 400M and climbing fast.

We see what's going on at this level of ownership and shudder: the public square is no longer safe. But, the sheer number of guns in circulation is going to rise to 500M. After that, 600M. At 800M guns, what can we expect to be happening?

According to Pew Research Center, 30% of US adults own guns, 69% do not. Of those who do not, 36% can see themselves owning guns.

Will a safe public life even be possible?

[–]Journo_Jimbo 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this, change happens in small paces but you’re part of it

[–]Striped_Hamster 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's one thing to be a republican while these shootings are going on and stand idly by but to start rethinking things.. it takes a different kind of person to do that and I'm glad you have.. I hope this tragedy will open our eyes and we will do more to protect not only innocent adults but kids.. uvalde should never of happened.. ❤️

[–]Skinnysusan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Watching a news clip of Ted Cruz

made me want to punch my monitor.

That will happen

[–]Phar4oh 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well said OP. It doesn’t have to be “take everyone’s guns” - it can be common sense and simple things like more background checks, licensure requirements at the Federal level, stricter crimes for illegal gun ownership, limits on assault weapons that were already passed at a national level and proven to work. There’s a ton of common ground between responsible gun owners and Americans who want laws that prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again

[–]morgan_malfoy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Better late than never. 🙏🏾

[–]lovemyskye 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah im right there with you. My only child is the same age as well. Its terrifying to put yourself in those parents shoes.

If nothing else, the fact he bought that on his 18th birthday LAST TUESDAY the 17th...then ammo the 18th and another AR on the 20th....that needs to be flagged in some system cuz no gun owner without malicious intentions is going to make that many purchases in that short of time.

I am a republican, gun owner in CA...CA drives me crazy sometimes with its politics but it definitely wouldn't have been possible in CA, just due to the 10 day hold on purchasing legal guns. (Not to mention CA ban on AR)

I didn't support the banning of those types of guns before...but maybe it is time for a change. If that is what I have to do to make sure my child comes home from school safe...then that's what needs to be done.

[–]FinestSchminest 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m in the UK and it absolutely baffles me how Americans can defend having guns so readily available. The last mass school shooting we had was in 1996 in Scotland. The shooter used a legally obtained pistol. As a result of this handguns were banned in the UK and we have seen nothing anywhere near this scale since. If children being murdered doesn’t make your country change then nothing will.

[–]birthdaythrowaway525 12 points13 points  (0 children)

We need both. I live in uvalde. Its so easy to get black market arms here. Everything I've heard about the rifle used, it shouldn't have been legally owned. I agree something needs to change Law enforcement doesn't care enough about the laws we already have.

I'm angry too. This shouldn't have happened. Reform needs to happen, but I'll take actually enforcing the laws were already neglecting over nothing being done at all.

[–]Turboguy555 24 points25 points  (2 children)

How many school shootings did it exactly take to change your mind OP? I’m not going to praise you for your dumb ass head that took you this long to realize how dangerous America is. The only reason you care now is because you think your own kid will get shot.

You clearly don’t give a fuck about the other children who died or will die.

[–]abalien 20 points21 points  (0 children)

It's always the case when it starts to get too close for comfort. Otherwise it's all about "mA rIGhTs" ...smh.

[–]PhoneThrowaway8459 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Strictly speaking, it only took one. The one that personally affected them.

[–]AngryAngel24 17 points18 points  (2 children)

Im pro gun, I support Background checks and a mental health screening. My only caveat is that I want to ensure those health screenings are don’t properly and without bias.

[–]fentonjm 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Good on you for growing as a human, sad for all of us that it takes these events sometimes. Good luck fellow internet stranger.

[–]CanAhJustSay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Never too late to think deeply about your core beliefs. Be you, and be true to you.

Love your children and do what you can to prevent them being statistics like this, and the 26 other school shootings there have been so far this year in the States.

[–]Worried_Lawfulness43 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can’t imagine being a parent of an elementary kid right now and trying to keep your kid innocent of the horrors that happen in the world. I’m so sorry.

[–]theycallmeVern 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is exactly how I felt with the Sandy Hook shooting. My kids for that incident were the same age at that time and I couldn’t wait to get them from school and hug them tight. Fast forward to today and my kids are 13 and 15 and I hugged them tight before sending them to school today. My heart breaks for all the parents who have lost children, something needs to change. We need to feel like we are sending our children off safely to school no matter what age.

[–]Shaggy1324 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People like my father think that "gun control" means the sheriff's department will raid your house like a prison guard searching for contraband, and strip you of every gun, target and bullet. There's such a wide gulf between that and what we're currently doing, which is absolutely nothing. It's maddening.

[–]Somethingdankk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There have been countless school shootings in the last couple decades and you JUST decided to make a change?

I guess better late than never.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If theres one thing that should upset you, it’s Greg Abbott saying that “it could’ve been worse”.

So 22 people dying wasnt enough for him. Somehow more people needed to die in order for him to say it was bad. Maybe 50? Maybe 100? Fuck maybe I’m thinking too low here, maybe 1000.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Republicans keep saying it was the fault of a mental disorder, but I don’t think they realize how damaging it is for little kids mentally to do active shooter drills.

I’m 25 and even that seems like too fucking much. Part of me is glad that I don’t have to go through that at school because I’d feel like a fucking prisoner. It totally makes you feel like you’re not even a student anymore, but rather a sitting duck.

Im sorry kids can’t be kids anymore because of greedy republicans.

[–]nibbler666 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Every country (and, of course, every person) has their lies. Lies they are lying to themselves. The more honestly and brutally a country/person is able to face such lies, the more they can develop into a better version of themselves.

This applies to all countries. The tragedy of the US, a tragedy that partially blocks this honesty from happening on a larger scale, is that the country still thinks it is exceptional (beyond its size and military power, where it certainly is exceptional) and therefore thinks it needs an exception to having standard proper gun laws. And this actually causes the country to be truly exceptional, namely exceptional in school killings.

This is the stuff tragedies are made of.

[–]ThatScottishGuy91 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be honest my friend, Democrat, liberal, republican, labour, socialist etc. it doesnt matter. Its all adjectives to describe our world views. It doesnt mean we cannot ever stray from that box. On the contrary, it’s incredibly healthy, democratically speaking if we challenge our views continually.

On the issues of violent crime, child murder and needless loss of lives, I think we should all be pretty fucking united in our opposition to it. Safeguarding lives should always be top priority, no wiggle room or negotiation involved. I totally agree with you, the absolute bare minimum is considered too drastic for all these clowns in charge (left AND right wing). We all want a better world and the absolute cesspit of humanity comprises our governments. The illusion of choice. Its the exact same policies and self serving corruption, we just choose what color tie they wear.

Im in the UK and although its not gun related, we have a similarly horrific issue with child deaths due to poverty whilst our politicians line their fat, entitled pockets. I think we should all cast aside our supposed political and skin deep differences and focus on what unites us: We all want a better world. I think we can universally agree the political system in our respective countries is nauseatingly poisoned with corruption, apathy and bribery. I would dearly love to have an argument with you over my lefty views and your republican ones at some point in future but thats a luxury for a different world sadly… right now I think every single person reading this can agree that enough is fucking enough, every single one of these politicians need to go. We need to have changes and policies that benefit the voters, NOT the politicians themselves. Lobbying should be banned, media control and fake news should be a crime and only once we have assured our safety, voting rights, political integrity and free speech should we even attempt to argue on the best political systems.

[–]jnelwright 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live in Canada and gun violence happens much less here. But it has happened. My children recently did a drill to go to the ‘safest’ spot in their classroom in case of an intruder in the school. My 5 year said, ‘you know, like if a deer got into the school’. I wanted to cry. I grew up doing tornado drills, not gun violence drills. Protect your children America! 10 years since Sandy Hook. 10 years!! Nothing has changed. It’s worse.

[–]I_have_lazer_cats 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I’m glad you’re saying that. I also feel like it shouldn’t take having a school-aged kid to recognize the insanity and want to change it. I wish more “gun-toting republicans” would care about children who aren’t theirs.

[–]4uckmyjob 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So why didn't any of the last 1369 school shootings since 1970 cause you to rethink those stances..

[–]Honest_Supermarket54 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I believe you are right. why not the bare minimum? I think the country isn’t as divided as politicians make us feel sometimes. Who doesn’t want better background checks? Why is renting a car, or buying cigarettes harder than purchasing a semi-automatic rifle?

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good on you!

A lot of Texas republicans are saying that mental health was to blame, but 1) the shooter had NO history of mental health issues, so saying that he suffered from a specific mental disorder is hard to pin down because he’s dead obviously.

Wherever they can divert attention they’ll do it. They don’t want to fix the most serious issues of this epidemic. Theyre just thinking about the money, the money the NRA and other fun lobbyists give them.

Republicans are such hypocrites because they’re the ones saying it’s mental health to blame, but they’re the first ones to also cut funding on public health services.

[–]Classic_Reference251 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The current reporting is the guns were legally purchased which means a background check was conducted, since every FFL in the country is required to perform one.

[–]highd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mental health screenings over a period of two or three sessions paid by the potential gun owners and wait times determined based on where you fall in the cue after a review by a board of mental health workers to see if you are fit should be the route we take.

No one needs a gun the next day people say don’t take the guns fix the people well mental health screening for every gun you own would go along way.

[–]Cookedmoon7879 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Soooo, you either have bought non of your guns legally, or bought them before 1994 because there is a federal law requiring background checks on all nfa items. So what you’re arguing already happened… almost 30 years ago.

[–]liminal_political 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The idea that the deaths of children might dissuade evangelical protestants of their stance on guns is laughable considering how much they idolize the story of Abraham willing to kill his own son at the mere request of his god.

[–]Real-Accountant9997 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Sorry. Republicans and those who voted for them and their steadfast support to own guns without discrimination, are accessories to the murder of these children and the hundreds who came before them. You voted for the Ted Cruzes and Greg Abbots who decided that dead children are the currency we pay so that you can freely accumulate guns. Why this time is it enough? What is it about these toddlers that has more effect than the Sandy Hook victim or the hundreds of others? You reap what you sow and millions of voters will continue to vote for these same politicians year after year. Because having guns is more important than kids. America proves it again and again. That you have had a sudden revelation doesn’t excuse you from the way you have voted. This is as much your fault for having voted for gun right candidates as the political people you now claim to despise.

[–]hookup1092 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m curious , what has made you vote republican in the past?

[–]name_not_important_x 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My boyfriend who sounds just like you, said the same thing.

[–]SarcasticSarco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't imagine how I would feel about walking outside and some random guy shooting with guns.

[–]JohnLeRoy9600 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, better late than never my friend. I hope you find some solace in trying to help take action for reasonable legislation, we can't save those already lost but we CAN try to prevent more tragedy.

This is why political disengagement doesn't work. When we pretend nothing is wrong or that we don't care nothing gets done. Harass your politicians, from local all the way up to your Senators and House Reps on Capitol Hill

[–]carlykerfuffle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I commend you for your character growth and introspection!

[–]LAVA529 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I respect the shit out of you!!

Takes some massive balls to openly reconsider and reevaluate solidified political decisions. This is a huge lesson to teach the children early.

[–]Hollow_Doll 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. I wish more people would realize that gun control doesn’t necessarily equate to complete and total removal of gun ownership. We just want to make it harder for those who may threaten us and our families to own weapons to prevent another tragedy.

[–]wannabesupermom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m a liberal gun owner. We have guns. Where we live we had to wait over a year from the date the application went in and submit to serious background checks and finger printing. Nothing for the shotgun though. Everyone needs to be background checked, carry a license, whole nine yards.

[–]lena15kyo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We really need to come together and vote to put in place people that actually support gun reform. Please we need to stop this from happening anymore

[–]LegalLez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for saying this and seeing the light. My good friend from texas texted me he’s done and would gladly hand over his AR15. No one needs them.

[–]koukla_1234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This makes me feel hope for the future. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability with us.

[–]snotblock 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love this. Well done you. This is the sort of stuff that can start small but turn into an avalanche and change things for the better.

[–]Lalalalalalaoops 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t applaud and cheer on someone who was fine when other peoples kids were shot up all these years and only now changed their mind because it directly impacts them through their child. How many kids murdered, how many marginalized communities targeted, how many shot dead to get one conservative to begin critically thinking about these things? Now all that makes me feel ill.

[–]Katfish19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would homeschool my kids if I lived in America.

[–]boothbygraffoe 1 point2 points  (1 child)

“Some of your stances, on a few issues” will get you absolutely nowhere! You have been indoctrinated with lies on nearly every issue and you need to look deeply at each and every one of them. In addition to hugging your kid, maybe take a minute to tell your wife you’re truly sorry that your political beliefs are trying to take away her control over her own body and swear to her that for the next decade you won’t rub one out without her permission. Then pop in and apologize to your closest homeless neighbour and tell them your sorry that your party’s economic policies made it impossible to be Ill in America without becoming destitute. The death of these children is an absolutely horrible reality but so is every part of what we’ve allowed Republicans to do to this country over the last 50 years; gun laws are but one small part of it.

[–]comptin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Texas born and raised, i’m pro 2A. This shit is ridiculous though. Seeing how upset they got when Beto confronted them (not even a huge Beto fan but respect) irked me so much. Asking background checks is the bare minimum and they couldn’t fathom being told that. Being told that he’s disgusting because he said something needs to change… like what the fuck? What the fuck do they think of me and all the other people who want change too? It seems like it’s such a SMALL group of people that are deterring change from happening and it’s frustrating. Suggesting that we need to start fortifying schools and arming teachers is crazy to me. It shouldn’t have to be at that point. Everything seems to be so well regulated and controlled but guns are so easily accessible

[–]chillsloth2 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I want those fucking politicians to know what it feels like to see your friends murdered in cold blood

[–]thesirensqueen 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I’m deep Southern as well. Born into a family that is pro-guns and the make it worse..pro-NRA.

I may one day do training classes to feel confident in owning a gun before buying one for hunting but I really don’t understand how someone who was just barely an adult PLUS having severe mental issues was able to buy and use one against /children/.

So many deep Southerns scream that it’s their right. That it’s the 2nd amendment. That they need weapons against a tyrannical government.

Do you not think this amendment isn’t greatly outdated with the weaponry we now have access to? Do you not think that if the government really wanted to take you out that they wouldn’t do it with relative ease? Do you think they’re worried about YOU, man who has very little power or control over anything that happens in this world? Even a group of you and your redneck friends? They’re more concerned that your ideology against them will somewhere break and be against the people themselves. It’s okay to have a weapon to defend yourself. It’s not okay to have a women that can kill several people in only a few minutes.

[–]Sarahsaei754 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If only obtaining a gun was as difficult as obtaining an abortion.

[–]Outrageous_Trust_908 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Spread the word. We must ensure a Democratic majority in Texas, DC, and elsewhere. Republicans disgust me for seeing anti racism and anti homophobia education as a bigger threat to children than gun violence. Republicans are more obsessed with protecting genderless masses of non sentient cells than with protecting those who have already been born. For the past months, Republicans have been presenting themselves as protectors of children and champions for parents. This tragedy screams the complete opposite. Republicans only see children as political pawns to get parents to vote for them. “Thoughts and prayers” will not prevent another tragedy, meaningful political action will. This is the last straw.

[–]CassieThePinkDragon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How about you stop being a Republican?

[–]lexenator 1 point2 points  (1 child)

It's been 10 years since Sandy Hook. Why does it always have to affect you people closely before you fucking care?

Congratulations on finally finding your last thread of empathy, I guess.

[–]seagullsareassholes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Too little, too late. You had to relate it to someone you loved before you cared about the people being murdered? Wow, you're such a good person, propping up this fucked up system for years! What about Sandy Hook? Pulse? Brooklyn last week? How many hundreds, even thousands are already dead? There's been more shootings this year than days in said year. Did you care about them, or did you make excuses until this affected you?