First of all, my condolences go out to the families and community of Newtown, Conn. May your wounds heal as quickly as possible.
As usual after a horrific ordeal like this, the cry for gun control rings out. The president has already gone on record saying meaningful legislation needs to take place. I agree that legislation needs to take place, however legislation to allow security, administrators or teachers be able to defend students and themselves with a weapon.
Reports said that the principal lunged at the shooter in an attempt to stop him from shooting more students. May God rest her soul. If she were armed with a weapon, the headlines could've been different or victims minimized. Lunging at someone with a gun mostly works only in the movies.
If the other teachers who were shot were armed, the outcome could've been different.
These deranged people who are committing these atrocities know they're safe up to a certain period of time. They have surprise and time on their side. Eliminating one or both of these factors minimizes the outcome of the incident. There's no one now to minimize or prevent this from happening during the short period shooters need to commit these selfish acts.
Laws are for law-abiding citizens, and mental illness will always be a part of society. Unfortunately, these senseless shootings are being committed by people who are mentally ill and don't understand or have no regard for laws.
Russell Higa
Kahului
