Idaho Shootings Raise Same Issues as VA Tech

A mentally disturbed man in Moscow, Idaho killed 4 people, starting with his wife, and wounded three others, one an armed civilian responding to the scene. Similarities to the Virginia Tech shooter include, a past history of mental illness and the use of assault weapons. A mental health worker heard the patient say if he killed himself, he'd take others with him.

So how did Jason Hamilton come across two automatic rifles? An AK-47 was found next to the body. It likely didn't belong to the church sexton.

The answer offered by gun enthusiasts is armed citizens answering the distress call. In this case the student responding to the sound of gunshots ended up a victim, shot 3 times. During his Courthouse rampage Jason fired at least 125 rounds.

Both mentally ill shooters' violent affair involved killings in multiple locations spanned over a number of hours. Once again, I ask where did Jason get his assault rifles? This is the third time a mentally ill person got access to weapons before shooting innocent victims, Ed Lui in a Walmart Parking lot in Arizona, Cho Seng-Hui at Virginia Tech, and Jason Hamilton in Moscow Idaho.

San Angelo had a recent case of a young man walking near our university and an elementary school brandishing a shotgun in broad daylight. Fortunately our community has a Mental Health Deputy program and the subject was detained without incident.

Keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of mentally ill people is a homeland security issue. That and providing them treatment and access to needed medications.

Glock 170, Muzzle Loader 13

The Virginia Tech killer shot 170 rounds in 9 minutes. A civil war muzzle loader could be re-armed every 40 seconds. Besides offering the opportunity to disarm the shooter during this time, far fewer rounds could be delivered. Glock 170, Muzzle Loader 13. Don't you feel safer with more people armed with semi-automatic weapons? I don't....

"And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and train in the ways of war no more."

Something’s Not Right

Without a complete list of the deceased, Virginia Tech held a convocation in sorrow for the fallen from yesterday’s horrific act. President Bush attended after the White House reiterated the right to bear arms in the midst of the tragedy. I don’t recall him stressing American’s rights to carry box cutters the day after 9-11.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine somehow flew back from Japan to attend today’s convocation some 28 hours after the second round of shootings in Norris Hall. Tim spoke of the surviving students, comparing their plight to Job in the Bible. The Governor took the glass half full perspective, noting Virginia Tech’s unique and remarkable community.

President Bush stressed people across the country are asking God to provide comfort for the affected. Some of those praying for comfort saw God's hand in sending planes to strike the Twin Towers. Why would that be divinely ordered and this tragedy not? The worst day of violence in history on a college campus happened on this President's shift. He did not speak to why, but highlighted sources of strength for students to persevere.

Yesterday, a member of the Hokie family turned their own. Today they deal with the aftermath. Is there anything leaders can do? First, consider hushing to honor the dead. Second, tell the truth of what happened and how America experienced its most horrific school shooting. That eventually includes important details like Mr. Cho Seung-Hui’s disturbing writings and how he obtained his deadly weapons. The Hokie family has a right to grieve deeply, then to ponder how their community will respond.

Today’s session may add to that, but let’s hope it doesn’t rush the important work to be done. May our nation learn from this community’s response to such a deeply saddening event.

Virginia Tech Tragedy Perpetrated by One of Its Own

A 23 year old student committed the horrific murders at Virginia Tech yesterday. Cho Seung-Hui, a South Korean English major legally studying in the U.S., pulled the trigger countless times causing death, carnage, mayhem, and in one doctor’s word “amazing” wounds. The University must be in shock that their current nightmare came at the hands of one of their own.

As the world wrestles with the tragedy, more questions will be asked. Some will focus on the shooter’s mental health. Others will target the weapons. How were they acquired and what type of ammunition caused such “amazing” wounds?

Surveying letters to elected leaders last night on Congress.org, the various political lobbies already spun the events to their advantage. Pro-gun folks made the point that an armed professor or student could have stopped the gunman well before the 32 death toll. Anti-gun letter writers gave almost an “I told you so”, blaming the widespread pandering to America’s powerful gun lobby.

Now is not the time to be defending gun access or screaming for it to be reduced. It’s time for all Americans to hold the hand of the fallen, the wounded, and the grieving. It’s time to pick up a bucket and mop and clean up the residue from conflict that cannot be managed peacefully. We must wash away the dried blood left from our intent to purposefully harm others physically or in spirit.

The roots that grew the horror in Blacksburg exist within each of us. Running to the next battle seems the last thing our country needs to do now. Yet, with America's incapacity for self reflection, that is exactly what we’ll do...