President Joe Biden was questioned by a reporter about a string of shootings that took place during the Thanksgiving holiday. His response?
“The idea that we still allow semi-automatic weapons to be purchased is sick. Just sick. It has no, no social redeeming value. Zero. None. Not a single solitary rationale for it except profit for the gun manufacturers.”
He has vowed to act regarding the sale of semi-automatic weapons.
Okay, let’s take a step back here. I’m not sure if he is confused or not. Does the President understand that approximately 75%, if not more, of the firearms in our country are semi-automatic? Does he understand what a semi-automatic weapon does? Let me make it simple. A semi-automatic firearm shoots one bullet for every pull of the trigger. They are not full auto weapons. Semi-automatic weapons include shotguns, rifles, handguns and revolvers.
What the President is considering is the equivalent to saying he will no longer allow people to use gasoline in their vehicles due to motor vehicle accidents. Most people use gasoline for their vehicles. Common sense tells you that won’t work.
A common thread that seems to keep popping up when people commit these violent acts is that they feel alone or disconnected.
Covid shutdowns and social media are both responsible for separating people and making them more susceptible to depression and anxiety.
Have we gone too far in our society to separate people? We can no longer refer to someone by the color of their skin or their gender. How foolish we are to think eliminating those things would make things better. The more we separate and divide, the worse things will get.
The most dangerous person in the world is someone who no longer cares.
Is there anything we can do? I think so. The common thread of feeling alone or disconnected can be reversed. Do you have a neighbor or fellow employee who is alone? How about inviting them to dinner or to see the beautiful Christmas lights? How about planning an event outdoors when your kids have friends over? A nice hike on the beach is great this time of year! Put down the electronics and take a deep breath.
Remember knowledge is power and kindness should have no boundaries.
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