Leave it to a politician to exploit a tragedy and attempt to capitalize on it for their own political gain.
Following the horrific shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis that killed two children and wounded 18 others, Mayor Jacob Frey (D) said of the self-proclaimed transgender woman: "Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity. We should not be operating out of a place of hate for anyone."
It was a shocking comment as parents and others mourned the dead and injured.
The mayor said nothing specific about the shooter's YouTube postings that contained hatred for Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, Catholics, and President Trump. The shooter didn't discriminate when it came to bigotry.
The shooter, whose name I will not use, "Scoffed at religion, idolized the nation's most notorious mass shooters and fantasized about carrying out a public massacre where children would be at their most vulnerable," reported The Washington Times. In a handwritten journal posted on YouTube before the shootings, the killer admitted he "was tired of being trans" and wished he "never brain-washed himself," reported the New York Post. I wonder what Mayor Frey thinks of that?
Sadly, a new school year encourages some people with twisted and evil minds to act out their fantasies and bemoan their station in life by killing the innocent.
As with prior incidents, something more can be done to safeguard against future repetitions.
I am a supporter of the Second Amendment, but with a caveat. No one should be allowed to buy a semi-automatic rifle like the one used in Minneapolis without a long waiting period and a complete mental health and background check that includes interviews with parents, relatives, and friends. The shooter clearly displayed abnormal behavior. His mother allowed him to legally change his name from male to female and his gender identification. She has reportedly hired a criminal defense attorney.
The killer had two other weapons, all reportedly bought legally. If purchased as a minor (he was 22 at the time of the shootings), a parent likely would have had to sign off on it. Where were the guns kept? If they were not secured, along with ammunition, who is at fault? There are people, including possibly his parents, who witnessed erratic and hateful behavior. Did they report it? If not, why not? If they did and nothing was done, again, why?
ABC News reported: "The state has had an Extreme Risk Protection Order law (sometimes referred to as a red flag law) ..., since last year, which gives judges the ability to remove a person's weapons following a petition from select individuals, such as a parent or police officer, who proves they are a risk to others or themselves.
Why wasn't it invoked, and who is responsible for not invoking it?
Other than making weapons designed to kill humans less easily available, an investment is going to have to be made in greater security. This may include increased police presence or security guards inside and outside schools. It might also include blocking road entrances onto school property and having an armed security guard check everyone seeking admission. Identification badges might also help.
Hotels in some Middle East countries where I've stayed do some of this, and it has virtually eliminated terrorism and other violent acts. Yes, it would cost money and cause delays, but how much is a child's life—or any life — worth? If it also serves as a deterrent to the mentally ill who seek soft targets, so much the better.
It's a safe prediction we will see additional copycat incidents this school year if more - a lot more - is not done. The dead deserve it. So do their parents. So do the living.
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