High School Shooting in Florida

For the second night in a row, the topic of debate on my job was Wednesday’s high school shooting in Parkland Florida.  ‘Ban all guns!’ and ‘Arm all teachers!’, and points in between were heatedly argued.  I was asked for my opinion on Wednesday night, and really had no concrete thoughts.  This is not a clear cut, black and white issue.  I was asked again last night and, right or wrong (although there is no definite right or definite wrong), these were my thoughts:

Our dojo meets inside a Temple.  They’re in the process of renting out space to a day care center, who must meet strict County standards.  A sign was posted in various parts of the building, declaring it a gun-free zone.  Graffiti on one of the signs sums the argument up perfectly.  This all got me thinking: 

- Many of these mass shooters are loners, self-isolated from others to brood on their own.

- Many mass shooters bought their guns legally.

- Law enforcement and military train regularly to handle their weapons safely and effectively.

- Even on the opposing side, militia and survivalists train together.

Here’s a thought – legal gun owners should be required by law to belong to an NRA-approved gun club and attend regular meetings.  The NRA and gun clubs should love this as their active membership grows.  The Government should love this as gun owners would be regulated into controlled, safe training.  Gun owners should love this as they’re socializing with like-minded people while practicing their safe shooting skills.  Registered gun owners who do not attend and practice regularly should be reported to the authorities by the gun club.

Like the Temple (a religious institution where like-minded people congregate to share fellowship), fellow congregants (gun club members) can have direct, regular contact with each other.  They are in a good position to see if a member’s mood goes dark, or they seem mentally imbalanced, and can report it to the club, who can alert the authorities.  Basic human contact is the best way to check on someone’s mental status.  Is this foolproof?  Nothing is foolproof.  Don’t tell me banning guns is foolproof because those who break the law by murder are not concerned that obtaining a gun is illegal.

Is this idea the solution?  No, nothing is guaranteed to stop the problem, but if one disturbed person gets help, if one shooting is avoided, it’s worth examining.