Sometimes You Just Gotta Rant!!!

Since, the “texting in the movie theater shooting last week,” I have been ANGRY.  Wanting to COMPLAIN loudly. After a while, Hubby tuned me out.  Frustrated!!I Gotta Rant?   Sorry, loyal blog followers.  I need to dump a little negativity on you this week.

Hear Me Rant!!! We Need Better Gun Control Laws

Too many guns in the hands of criminals, YES.

But, also too many “concealed weapons” in the hands of supposedly “law-abiding people.” 

Law abiding people acting as judge, jury and executioner.

Law abiding people who, apparently, believe the “license to carry a weapon” anoints them to the level of judge, jury and executioner.

This is a health and safety issue for all of us.

Did you know that “554 people have been killed since May 2007 by people licensed to carry concealed weapons in incidents that did not involve self-defense.” 

Allow Me Rant About Five!!

Rant #1:  71-year-old, retired police officer felt entitled to “draw his “concealed weapon” to shoot and kill” Chad Oulson, a 43-year-old father and husband in a movie theater who “refused to stop texting” and “responded to the request to stop texting by throwing popcorn.” (January 2014 – Florida)

Rant #2:  Renisha McBride, 19-years-old, injured and dazed following an early morning car accident in a Detroit suburb.   Seeking help, she went to a nearby home, knocked on the door and was met with a gunshot wound to the head.  The homeowner alleged she was an intruder.  Yet, he failed to call 911 prior to shooting her through a locked screen door.  And, then left her to die on the front porch without calling 911. (December 2013, Michigan)

 

Rant #3:  Jordan Russell Davis, 17-years-old sitting in a parked SUV at a gas station with friends was shot and killed.   The shooter, 45-years old, was angered by the loud music the young men were listening to.  When they failed to turn the music off, he randomly fired shots into the vehicle killing Jordan.    (November 2013, Florida)

Rant #4:  Darius Simmons, 13-years old, shot and killed by a 76-year-old neighbor who suspected Darius had broken into his home and stolen weapons.   As Darius mother stood helplessly by on her front porch, the neighbor first pointed the gun at her; and, then pointed the gun at Darius and shot him in the chest.  (July 2013, Wisconsin)

Rant #5:  Seventeen-year-old, Travon Benjamin Martin, was shot and killed while walking unarmed in a gated community by a neighborhood watch captain.   Calling 911, to report seeing a “suspicious person,” he ignored instructions not to get out of the car and proceeded to follow Travon and killed him.  (February 2012, Florida)

Closing Rant

I join the many other Americans who believe stricter gun control laws and better mental health restrictions are needed to address this epidemic.  It is unthinkable, in this day and age; that people feel it is okay to bear arms and act as though still live back in the days of the Wild, Wild West.