We need a safer America.
A response to the Boise Mall shooting plus my experiences with gun violence as your average American teenager.
This is a heartbreaking situation. Miles away, this story makes me feel extremely emotional. I cannot even begin to imagine how everyone in that mall felt. Kristi was most likely scared, but acting calm for everyone else’s sake. She always takes care of others.
Two people who had so much life left to live died. Their families left without them. Five others injured, changing their lives as they know it.
Jo Acker died trying to protect other people and instead of celebrating their bravery, people are debating her pronouns? Jo deserves better than that. I don’t know them, but I don’t need to. Anyone committing an act of selflessness as large as giving up their life, deserves respect. Everyone deserves some level of respect. The correct usage and understanding of a person’s pronouns and gender, is a form of respect that should be granted to everyone.
It’s scary that a situation like the one that caused Jo’s death even occurred. People should be able to leave their homes, and enter public places without the fear of being a victim of gun violence.
As you know, I went to Scarowinds recently. Before entering the amusement park, my anxiety spiked. I was scared. Scared that there would be a shooting. Scared that I could be hurt. Or worse, die. When I voiced my concerns to my friend that accompanied me, she responded “Things like that don’t happen here.” But they do. They happen at amusement parks, malls, restaurants, even schools. No where is safe from the effects of gun violence. When you go to these places, gun violence either does happen or you spend your time there afraid it will.
My strongest memory in elementary school is me, sitting in the corner of the Music classroom, afraid and in the dark. My elementary school was on lock down for what felt like hours, because of threats to the middle school just up the road. I’m less scared when I here the words, “Lock down” come over the intercom. You grow used to it when they happen so frequently. I had one as recently as last week, after there was a shooting at a local Dunkin Donuts. You probably didn’t hear about any of those situations though. They get lost in all of the other stories of those affected by gun violence.
Do I support gun control? Good Question, with the answer I’m not quite sure on yet. What I am sure of though, something somewhere needs to change. Nothing is safe anymore. Not a mall. Not a school. Not even Dunkin Doughnuts.
Wow, yes and good for you. I definitely believe in our second amendment but that said how do we decide who gets to carry a weapon. I am a 78 year old Vietnam veteran and believe me I never want to have to shoot anyone but if I am put in a situation to protect innocent people because there is some nut job shooting people for no reason, then I have to do what any normal red blooded American would probably do.
As for myself, I am licenced to carry concealed and open carry and in today's world I do just that as many others do. That said I am also the father of 5 beautiful children and many grandchildren and would do anything to protect them at all times. I never dreamed I would live to see this going on in our beautiful United States of America. Your father bought a place nextdoor to me in Granite OR
I guess the only answers I have Audrey is to put our faith in God, country and family and vote for the right people at the White house, but how do we know anymore who's the right person. Stay strong, be vigilant, God bless.
Wow Audrey. I really didn't expect something this good for you. If the science and math thing doesn't work out, you should consider writing.