The Virginia Tech Shootings

"Oh man, not again..." was all i could say as I first heard about the Virginia Tech killings. The massacre was the dealiest mass shooting in modern U.S history. As I sat my couch, and saw the pandemonium that surfaced in the video clips of the shootings, i could not help recall the Columbine massacres that started off this mass debate over the selling of firearms to any tom, dick or harry.

The Columbine high school massacre occurred on 20th June 1999. Though not as deadly as that in Virginia Tech, 12 students were killed while 24 others were injured. The preperators were Eric Harris and Dylan Khebold. Brutal, scary and plain insane is what i would describe the whole thing. Brutal for the two guys who unmercilessily shot plainly anyone who came across their sight of vision. Scary because of the extent of their rage towards society. I mean, they absolutely hated the high school. The extent to this can be seen in them actually making 99 over bombs to destroy the school'd caffeteria. It really scary how they could just plainly get life threatening infomation from the internet just like that. In many reports, people indicated that harris had a blog providing all sorts of wierd infomation he had gathered from the internet on how to cause mischief to people. Lastly, its plain insane how two high school students could get the connections and actually buy pistols and two shotguns. mean, some actually sell them these things without asking questions!!! Where's the logic in that??? Would i be right in saying that they would even sell a pack of cigarettes to a 13-year old. These are certainly things that have to be sorted out in America.

As we look at the Columbine as well as the Virgina Tech massacres, the U.S government has to a extremely firm stance against selling of guns. I am not telling them to stop everyone from buying guns, but at least allow background checks for people wanting to purchase these firearms. We need to ensure that we are entrusting these deadly weaphons to people who are sane and are not going to become potential mass murderers. Hearing me say this has made me think about new issues. Sure, everyone's bound to be a little paranoid about safety from time to time. But guns!!! Its a little bit too extreme to ensure safety, won't you agree??? Why not buzz batons or those electric things that women carry around to shock the life out of naughty men??? Has society itself evolved to such a stage where there is no possible way to ensure that you will always be safe as you walk down the street???

Many believe that society played a huge part in both the massacres. Eric Harris and Dylan Khebold were victims of isolation and possibly bullying as well. AS a school student myself, i do know the emotional struggle one is bound to feel if he or she is felt out by his friends. The inability to fit into society can do a lot of things to a peson psychologically. Having our own cliques and not sparing a thought to allow new friends to come and mingle with us. Is this the new face of school life??? Thus, it is essential for us to not shun anyboby and welcome everybody. Who knows, if Cho and the two guys had gotten warm, welcoming friends, they would nto have ever committed those atrocities. We should not discriminate people no matter what. Painting a cruel portrait of someone whom you don't really know and talk to should not be the way.

Again, i come back to the topic about guns. I would really hope the Congress stamps its authority in the issue. My fear is of this things starting to occur in other countries as well. Lets always remember that in a fit a rage, we are daring enough to virtually do anything. Its only when we are calm again that we realise the stupidity of our actions and regret them. If the sale of guns still exists widely, lets hope that more and more Americans don't wake up in the morning regretting for the life they cruelly took with one mere bullet.