Starting a Real Conversation

     In the days since the mass killing in Parkland, FL. I have not been surprised at the divisive nature of what I hear from people, read on social media, or listen to on the news.  That is because the USA is currently a most divided country in terms of politics.  I blogged about this before a few times if you care to go back and take a look.  But blaming this on President Trump, the NRA, the GOP, or mental health boogeymen is scapegoating at best and dishonest at worst.  There are many reasons for all these shootings, but the blame lies with the shooters alone.
     Many thoughts are being expressed about guns, gun control, rights and fear.  And justly so.  What is divisive is the qualifiers added that if you disagree with the expressed you must be a horrible person for some reason or another.  If you think certain types of weapons should be banned, you are coming for all guns.  Or, if you want to hang onto your guns, you must be guilty of murder.
     Other sentiments you hear since last Wednesday are: 1. Congress must do something, or 2. thoughts and prayers do nothing to stop this, or 3. Politicians do nothing because they accept money from the NRA.  Let me take these on.
     Congress must do something.  What?  What is 'something'?  We must only do something it has a chance of succeeding without violating constitutional rights such as those protected by the 2nd and 4th amendments.  To say politicians have blood on their hands is not only wrong, it is not helpful.  To say they have not done enough is perhaps correct, but the solution is not an easy one.
    Thoughts and prayers do nothing to stop this.  I am one of many, many people who pray, especially when people are hurting or at risk.  We have faith in prayer and believe prayer does help.  None of us are suggesting prayer is the solution to bad people committing bad acts.  There is always room for more prayer in society, and to make light of prayer's usefulness is an insult to prayerful people.
     In order to start a real conversation about school shootings, or mass shootings anywhere, I have a few suggestions:

1. Schools are soft targets in that they offer little or no defense against someone intent on doing evil.  We must spend the price of hardening our schools at least as much we do places of business, sports arenas and many other places large numbers of people congregate.  We managed to harden jet cockpits against terrorists following 9-11.  Surely we can harden school room doors.
2. We should hire armed guards to work in the schools.  There are many former and retired military and police who would be willing to supplement their pensions or find additional income by a worthy cause such as protecting our future.  These people come with weapons experience, tactical training, and have service to country in their DNA.
3. We should enact legislation that mandates certain people report possible violent behavior by anyone at risk of committing violence against society.  We have many examples of people shooting up a school or shopping mall that had warning signs seen by parents, teachers, fellow students, doctors, co-workers and counselors.  If these signs were reported in the same manner as possible sex abuse is already, perhaps some of these events could have been prevented.  Mandated reporting will mean that law enforcement, and other appropriate professionals, could go to a judge and get restraining orders against an individual purchasing a gun.  Such mandated reports would be cataloged in the same database where gun background checks are conducted.

     Here are three suggestions I believe would make a difference.  Feel free to add to or improve upon these.  Then suggest them to your representatives in state and federal government.  If we want to have a real conversation, this is how we should start.