Tragically, once again, we have witnessed another mass casualty shooting on a college campus. Two weeks ago, a crazed gunman entered a classroom at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, shot and killed nine people, injured nine more and then took his own life.
These horrific shootings have become too common. In 2015 alone there have been 45 school shootings in the United States and nearly 10,000 people have been killed from gun violence in our country this year.
True, we will never be able to stop all gun violence, but we should still work to enact and enforce laws and regulations that can reduce the deaths and injuries that are the result of guns. Existing laws need to be strictly enforced; however, the United States Bishops have called for stricter gun control laws and regulations. New laws banning military style assault weapons should be passed, for civilians should not have access to weapons that are meant for warfare.
Additionally, we must do our part to be aware of signs from people who are a danger to society. One way is to be attentive to our social media streams and to report any suspicious postings that indicate a person is planning to act violently. Many of those who have acted violently have also posted their plans on social media, or have at least alluded to it.
It is time for people of all faiths and political persuasions to work together to reduce the senseless deaths from guns that have become too commonplace in our country.
