Sandy Hook Elementary

SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY

26 lives were lost on Friday, December 14th at the hands of a mentally ill 20 year old male.  20 of those lives lost were 1st graders.

Dialogue is popping up everywhere about gun control, but the fact remains a gun is not a deadly weapon without the hands to operate it.  Without those hands, it is silent and poses no harm.  

What I find most troubling about this entire event, the mother of the disturbed had automatic weapons in the house and regularly took her mentally ill child to the shooting range.  FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IT HOLY - IF YOUR CHILD IS MENTALLY ILL IN ANY CAPACITY, DO NOT HAVE GUNS IN THE HOUSE, DO NOT TEACH YOUR MENTALLY ILL CHILD HOW TO OPERATE THEM AND WHY IN GOD'S NAME DO YOU NEED AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON?

Taking guns away from the public will only result in two things:  1. only criminals will have them.  2.  Civil war between those who wish to bear arms and those who think that objects are to blame.  Clearly, I wish to protect my constitutional right to bear arms and protect my family.

This analogy is not meant to poke fun at this situation, but you cant blame a spoon for making you fat.  You can't blame a gun for taking a life.  The only way to resolve this is to provide help for those that are mentally ill.  Provide resources for their families who know they have issues.  Use common sense with the weapons in your house, keep them locked up and out of reach of small children and the mentally ill.  And most importantly, stop focusing on the shooters in these incidences.  Stop giving them the infamous notoriety they are seeking.  (You will note I have not listed his name, nor will I)

In the 4th grade, one of my classmates was shot and killed by his older brother accidentally.   They were playing with a gun they did not know was loaded.  I will never forget that moment, but also developed a respect for guns and that they are dangerous and not to be played with.   Rest in peace Derek May, you have not been forgotten.

Heaven is blessed with 20 young souls to bring laughter and joy.  They too will not be forgotten.

- Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female
- Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male
- Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female.
- Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female
- Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female
- Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female
- Dylan Hockley, 3/8/06, male
- Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female
- Madeleine F. Hsu, 7/10/06, female
- Catherine V. Hubbard, 6/08/06, female
- Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male
- Jesse Lewis, 6/30/06, male
- James Mattioli , 3/22/06, male
- Grace McDonnell, 12/04/05, female
- Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female
- Emilie Parker, 5/12/06, female
- Jack Pinto, 5/06/06, male
- Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male
- Caroline Previdi, 9/07/06, female
- Jessica Rekos, 5/10/06, female
- Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female
- Lauren Rousseau, 6/1982, female (full date of birth not specified)
- Mary Sherlach, 2/11/56, female
- Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female
- Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male
- Allison N. Wyatt, 7/03/06, female