Times of tragedies can become defining moments in a nation’s history; Americans seek comfort, inspiration and unity when we ask why such horrific events can occur in our communities. However, the conversation after the Charleston shooting quickly turned to a rallying cry for more gun control in the media and political circles.
But stricter gun laws will not necessarily stop a senseless murderer or terrorist from carrying out their act, though they will potentially leave innocent people defenseless. No, it’s not about guns. It’s about changing hearts.
Gun control does not stop hatred in one’s heart. For instance, the Tsarnaev brothers were determined to carry out their terrorist attack in Boston and used the Internet to learn how to make homemade bombs. The jihadists in France used illegal weapons, which led to the killing of French citizens at the satire magazine Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish grocery. France has strict gun laws – its citizens have no constitutional right to bear arms, and the black market for illegal weapons is flourishing – and the terrorists took full advantage of a largely defenseless population. Evil exists, and vigilant and prepared citizens are the best line of defense.
Media reports have stated that the alleged shooter, Dylann Storm Roof, may have been planning the attack for six months. A culture of hatred and division is penetrating individuals whether on race or religious extremism. As a community, we all have a responsibility to be vigilant regarding young people who may be headed in the wrong direction, appear isolated or undergo a sudden psychological change of behavior. It starts with the community – families and schools – to recognize these changes.
For Roof, it was too late. Plain and simple: Roof is a racist murderer and an American terrorist whose twisted and radical racial beliefs led to his intolerable actions. He seems eerily familiar to the jihadists who massacred the cartoonists and staff of Charlie Hebdo based their twisted radical Islamic views.
These terrorists and murderers take advantage of gun-free zones like churches and schools where law-abiding and responsible individuals cannot even protect themselves. Roof premeditated this tragic massacre by choosing a historic African-American Church and murdering innocent God-loving individuals.
President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton immediately called for action on gun control and stirred the political pot. On the other hand, Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., showed her pain and deep sorrow for the tragedy that occurred in her state. In an emotional speech, Haley stated, “These nine families need us, the Emmanuel AME church needs us, the AME church family need us, and the people of South Carolina needs us to come together and be strong for what has happened.”
Neurosurgeon and Republican presidential contender Ben Carson also stated, “I think we have to start going to the heart of the matter. The heart of the matter is not guns. The heart of the matter is the heart – the heart and soul of people.”
Carson is right. We need to reach the heart and soul of those young individuals who are misguided and seek evil. Our nation has suffered tremendously from the tension between white and black communities in a number of states. Our world is suffering from young individuals who are joining the jihadist movement and killing innocent religious men, women and children. How can we reduce the hatred? How can we guide our youth to seek peace and not hatred? How can we unite as a nation? As Americans, we are looking for answers and guidance from our political leaders.
Strict gun laws will not stop the murderers and the agents of hatred and extremism. What we need to make sure is that law-abiding citizens have a chance to protect themselves and defend their loved ones. If terrorists and murderers are determined to kill, they will find a way, and we need to ensure that Americans are empowered to defend themselves if they are ever caught in a difficult situation.
Black, white, Hispanic, Asians – we are all united in grieving with the Charleston community during this tragic time. The president has a responsibility to help heal and comfort the Charleston community and our nation, and unite a country that is dealing with tense, racially-charged situations in a number of states where both African-Americans and law enforcement officers have died.
And in our communities, we need to start by helping to mold the hearts and minds of our youth by promoting the traditional values and principles of life, goodness and prayer.
Source: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/mercedes-schlapp/2015/06/19/the-charleston-church-shooting-is-about-hate-not-guns