62% of the shootings at work or school happen in a country where only 5% of the world population lives. The U.S. has by far the highest gun ownership rate on the planet. Other countries have shown that gun control works. Will the U.S., this time, take measures to reduce the risk of mass shootings?
A beautifully written essay about a devastatingly tragic subject.
The heartbreaking pain, the absurd senselessness, the unimaginable grief of innocent lives ended in a flash by unexplainable madness. I will never understand America’s obsession with guns. I will never understand the evil & hate that causes an individual to end the lives of random, unknown fellow human beings. Yet it continues again & again. The NRA & the politicians they have bought are covered in the blood of the innocent.
This must stop! Our new President & his administration must be strong enough & brave enough to bring this horror to an end.
Thank you for so poignantly addressing this excruciating subject.
Now this is the kind of foreign influence I’ve longed for. Thank you. May reason reign soon.
Boulder has a special place in my heart. My late Nephew Jonny Copp, an alpinist, founded Boulder Adventure Film Festival. It brought the community and beyond together for many years for so much fun and inspiration.
Perhaps the great strength of Boulder’s community, in facing this tragedy, will provide the political will for better gun control.
So enjoyed this piece. I always recall speaking with an American about this subject. As an Australian, I said that I could understand why a homeowner may have a gun, say a pistol in his home as protection against violent intruders. What puzzled me was why anyone would want to buy a semi automatic weapon. Clearly, it's not for hunting or protection. rather for being part of a war. The American explained that the reason is many citizens feel threatened by their government and that to resist armed force by state or federal authorities, they have to rise up as civilians like the Minute Men and have appropriate firepower. Whatever Aussies think of our PM, Scotty Morrison we certainly don't expect to see him in fatigues climbing over the back fence to pepper our home with bullets!
I remember that Alexnote. I loved Boulder when I was there in the early 2000s. Such sad news and you are right, the reaction has become "routine". It's something I will never understand. I have no idea what still needs to happen for things to change. It's scary to think that this can just randomly happen anytime, anywhere ... Thank you for this thoughtful post and my thoughts are with the families of the victims and everybody affected by this tragedy as well.
Remember visiting Boulder and loving the city and it’s environs. The vast majority of citizens think background checks should happen. The problem seems to be with our legislators. Too many of them vote because of donations they’ve gotten from sources such as the NRA. It’s time for them to step up and see that these senseless killings of innocent people needs to stop. One can only hope changes will be made. Thank you for an insightful piece.
Thank you Alexander for this well written essay! I live close to Boulder and it is always so hard to hear these things happen. I feel like here in Colorado, we have such a beautiful state. It seems so peaceful, but we have had a few shootings over the last 20 years. I love your depiction of Boulder--it truly is a beautiful city! I believe that if we did adopt what the Australians did, we could definitely help our country. Many Americans are stubborn and believe that is taking away their right to own a gun. If someone wants to own a gun for whatever their purpose is, I am okay with that. I believe that semi-automatic or any gun of that sort just does not need to exist for the population. I am sure I am not the majority on this situation, unfortunately. I still believe people like you and your readers can shine their beautiful lights on this world and make a difference ❤
Thank you. I write this just miles from the epicenter of violence. It is impossible to avoid the reverberations this creates around the World. The unique Beauty of the Flatirons guarantees the message is heard. Lay down our arms now. Everywhere. This is the place on Earth where I meet Earth with all my heart ❤️ and soul. You cannot have one without the Other. Heaven and Earth.
This was approximately two years ago and this day we have another mass shooting. Will this never stop? This week the SC Department of Natural Resources posted an item on their web site with a ten year old girl holding a long gun over the trophy of a dead Turkey. Her parents were so proud. To teach her how to kill at the age of ten? My God. Deplorable. And we wonder, why so many? When does it stop? How many have to die? I cry for the children of this country and their schoolteachers. 🥲🇺🇸🕯️Posted 03/27/2023.💔
Hi Alexander, this is a tragedy that could definitely have been prevented. I have been in numerous discussions with people in the USA who support gun use, but the arguments for it do not make sense to me. It seems that recent converts have been influenced by the law and order, e.g. fear mentality, that was being spread by the past administration and which is still being kept alive by his followers.
Some people here in Australia still support guns, but mostly they are rural folk who are in gun clubs, hunt and who are living in places away from the cities, where guns are the most dangerous.
One of the reasons why I like Australia so much is that the assault weapons ban happened. USA would be a safer place if these guns were off the streets. I am against all guns, but an assault weapon ban would be a good first start.
In Holland, as you know, the Dutch police do not carry guns. They do not need to, as guns are off the streets. Knives, too, are banned. The most dangerous weapons there are the two fists, which is bad enough. As a Dutchman, you must be very proud to have been born in such a country.
Totally agree with you about this. However, the NRA has too much influence.Sorry but don't hold your breath for new legislation in the US anytime soon.
A beautifully written essay about a devastatingly tragic subject.
The heartbreaking pain, the absurd senselessness, the unimaginable grief of innocent lives ended in a flash by unexplainable madness. I will never understand America’s obsession with guns. I will never understand the evil & hate that causes an individual to end the lives of random, unknown fellow human beings. Yet it continues again & again. The NRA & the politicians they have bought are covered in the blood of the innocent.
This must stop! Our new President & his administration must be strong enough & brave enough to bring this horror to an end.
Thank you for so poignantly addressing this excruciating subject.
Now this is the kind of foreign influence I’ve longed for. Thank you. May reason reign soon.
Boulder has a special place in my heart. My late Nephew Jonny Copp, an alpinist, founded Boulder Adventure Film Festival. It brought the community and beyond together for many years for so much fun and inspiration.
Perhaps the great strength of Boulder’s community, in facing this tragedy, will provide the political will for better gun control.
So enjoyed this piece. I always recall speaking with an American about this subject. As an Australian, I said that I could understand why a homeowner may have a gun, say a pistol in his home as protection against violent intruders. What puzzled me was why anyone would want to buy a semi automatic weapon. Clearly, it's not for hunting or protection. rather for being part of a war. The American explained that the reason is many citizens feel threatened by their government and that to resist armed force by state or federal authorities, they have to rise up as civilians like the Minute Men and have appropriate firepower. Whatever Aussies think of our PM, Scotty Morrison we certainly don't expect to see him in fatigues climbing over the back fence to pepper our home with bullets!
I remember that Alexnote. I loved Boulder when I was there in the early 2000s. Such sad news and you are right, the reaction has become "routine". It's something I will never understand. I have no idea what still needs to happen for things to change. It's scary to think that this can just randomly happen anytime, anywhere ... Thank you for this thoughtful post and my thoughts are with the families of the victims and everybody affected by this tragedy as well.
Remember visiting Boulder and loving the city and it’s environs. The vast majority of citizens think background checks should happen. The problem seems to be with our legislators. Too many of them vote because of donations they’ve gotten from sources such as the NRA. It’s time for them to step up and see that these senseless killings of innocent people needs to stop. One can only hope changes will be made. Thank you for an insightful piece.
Thank you Alexander for this well written essay! I live close to Boulder and it is always so hard to hear these things happen. I feel like here in Colorado, we have such a beautiful state. It seems so peaceful, but we have had a few shootings over the last 20 years. I love your depiction of Boulder--it truly is a beautiful city! I believe that if we did adopt what the Australians did, we could definitely help our country. Many Americans are stubborn and believe that is taking away their right to own a gun. If someone wants to own a gun for whatever their purpose is, I am okay with that. I believe that semi-automatic or any gun of that sort just does not need to exist for the population. I am sure I am not the majority on this situation, unfortunately. I still believe people like you and your readers can shine their beautiful lights on this world and make a difference ❤
You wrote this beautifully and especially the pointer to Australia's history were the lesson was learned, resulting in the guns being taken away!!
Your Alexnote from April 2018 shows how wonderful Pearl Street in Boulder is . . .
Thank you. I write this just miles from the epicenter of violence. It is impossible to avoid the reverberations this creates around the World. The unique Beauty of the Flatirons guarantees the message is heard. Lay down our arms now. Everywhere. This is the place on Earth where I meet Earth with all my heart ❤️ and soul. You cannot have one without the Other. Heaven and Earth.
This was approximately two years ago and this day we have another mass shooting. Will this never stop? This week the SC Department of Natural Resources posted an item on their web site with a ten year old girl holding a long gun over the trophy of a dead Turkey. Her parents were so proud. To teach her how to kill at the age of ten? My God. Deplorable. And we wonder, why so many? When does it stop? How many have to die? I cry for the children of this country and their schoolteachers. 🥲🇺🇸🕯️Posted 03/27/2023.💔
Hi Alexander, this is a tragedy that could definitely have been prevented. I have been in numerous discussions with people in the USA who support gun use, but the arguments for it do not make sense to me. It seems that recent converts have been influenced by the law and order, e.g. fear mentality, that was being spread by the past administration and which is still being kept alive by his followers.
Some people here in Australia still support guns, but mostly they are rural folk who are in gun clubs, hunt and who are living in places away from the cities, where guns are the most dangerous.
One of the reasons why I like Australia so much is that the assault weapons ban happened. USA would be a safer place if these guns were off the streets. I am against all guns, but an assault weapon ban would be a good first start.
In Holland, as you know, the Dutch police do not carry guns. They do not need to, as guns are off the streets. Knives, too, are banned. The most dangerous weapons there are the two fists, which is bad enough. As a Dutchman, you must be very proud to have been born in such a country.
Totally agree with you about this. However, the NRA has too much influence.Sorry but don't hold your breath for new legislation in the US anytime soon.