With the recent tragedy in Newtown, I am already freaking out about sending my kids to school. I realize this is "old" news by now, but it really changed my whole perception on things. Thank goodness I have a few years, but I have to wonder if things will be any better then. People are calling for reform, but honestly all I hear about in Oklahoma is people defending their guns. I can't help but feel a bit insulted that in the wake of so many tiny children being murdered that people are more interested in defending their right to bear arms than to look for a way to make our schools safer.
And I'm not saying we should or shouldn't change the gun laws. I don't know what needs to be done. The assault weapons seem excessive to me. Not going to be using that to kill a deer. Just saying. And there isn't any open conversation happening with my gun loving state.
These things just didn't happen when I was in school. You felt safe and secure there. Sure, we had fire drills which were awesome because class got interrupted and you got to go outside. And we did the occasional tornado drill too. But we didn't have to learn what to do if some crazy a-hole came into our class with a weapon. We were innocent. And that's how it should stay.
I was more concerned about another kid giving me a wedgie or that I'd forget to take my lunch on meatloaf day. And I realize that the risk is still pretty small but it's increasing in frequency rapidly. These kids should not have access to guns. They shouldn't be playing violent video games. And parents need to be a much more noticeable presence in their kid's lives.
I guess I don't really know what will fix this problem. But I do know that my babies are my world and I will do anything in my power to protect them. Because I'm about one school tragedy away from homeschooling and I have NO business trying to educate anyone! I still can't label all 50 states on a map (probably only about 20) and elementary math would kill me...
And I'm not saying we should or shouldn't change the gun laws. I don't know what needs to be done. The assault weapons seem excessive to me. Not going to be using that to kill a deer. Just saying. And there isn't any open conversation happening with my gun loving state.
These things just didn't happen when I was in school. You felt safe and secure there. Sure, we had fire drills which were awesome because class got interrupted and you got to go outside. And we did the occasional tornado drill too. But we didn't have to learn what to do if some crazy a-hole came into our class with a weapon. We were innocent. And that's how it should stay.
I was more concerned about another kid giving me a wedgie or that I'd forget to take my lunch on meatloaf day. And I realize that the risk is still pretty small but it's increasing in frequency rapidly. These kids should not have access to guns. They shouldn't be playing violent video games. And parents need to be a much more noticeable presence in their kid's lives.
I guess I don't really know what will fix this problem. But I do know that my babies are my world and I will do anything in my power to protect them. Because I'm about one school tragedy away from homeschooling and I have NO business trying to educate anyone! I still can't label all 50 states on a map (probably only about 20) and elementary math would kill me...
LOL I'm with ya on the 20 states and elementary math. I have no business homeschooling either, but you bet your ass it has crossed my mind lately!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it has crossed all our minds lately. I just know one thing... I don't think the current regulations on guns will fix anything. I learned when my husband was working as an assistant DA: you can try to regulate and make laws, but if a criminal wants weapons to commit a crime; a criminal will find a way to obtain weapons to commit a crime.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I stand on the gun debate. We have guns in our home for hunting and protection (our rifles are locked in a gun safe in a room that is locked with a door alarm because I'm a bit overprotective, and my husbands handgun is in a bedside gun safe). I know I don't like all these people stocking up on guns and ammo out of fear that they won't be able to buy them in the future if they "need" them.
My eldest is in kindergarten. Since Newtown, her classroom door is locked, and the window is covered. They have had drills for intrusion, but they also have them for tornadoes, earthquakes, and fire. We have the last 3 drills at home and I debate whether or not to have an intrusion drill.
As a teacher (kindergarten too!) I spent about 2 days with tears rolling down my face thinking about the tragedy. I can't even tell you how terrifying the thought of something like that happening in my school is, and you best believe that thought enters my mind a lot. What I believe needs to happen is more reliable care for people with mental problems. It wasn't the guns, it wasn't the gun control, and it sure wasn't the people at the school that failed here. It was the people that should've been helping that boy to get through his anger and frustration. Morgan Freeman had an amazing quote about how people in pain (such as the Newtown killer) know they can do things like go and shoot up a school to make a huge impact, and that they're going to do it because it will be on TV for months (I'm sure I just butchered that quote) so we need to stop saying his name and just remember the innocent lives.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe that if we actually had accessible, affordable, and reliable mental health care, tragedies like this wouldn't happen. Because the guns aren't the problem, and the school safety definitely isn't the issue here. It's the people that can't get any help for their pain.