On Sept. 16, 2013, the Washington DC Navy Yard was under attack by a shooter. 12 people were killed. Jennifer Bennett was shot point blank with a shotgun and was the only survivor of those who were shot. This is a condensed version of a discussion she had about ending mass shootings.

What causes mass shootings? Many are talking about the gun, the size of the magazine, and background checks. Although mass shootings by definition require a gun, it's not the gun's fault. It never has been and never will be. It's the culture America has created that allows mass shootings.

Americans have always had access to firearms. In the 1960s we still had guns, but we didn't have the culture of mass shootings that we have today. If we want to end mass shooting, we must change the culture that facilitates mass shootings.

American culture was founded on Christian principles that are literally enshrined in our founding documents. Today, our culture has eliminated any reference of Christianity. In some cases, personal religious beliefs actually land the faithful afoul of the law. The last few decades have witnessed an increased hostility toward Christians. When government can punish an individual for not baking a cake, or selling flowers, then the culture has shifted away from religious freedom to something else.

Our culture no longer allows our children to fail, or to face the consequences of their actions. Today, if a child doesn't pass a class, it's the teacher's fault. Everyone who tries out for the cheerleading squad makes it, and at the end of the season, everyone gets a trophy.

So, when that child grows into adulthood having never failed at anything, it no wonder life's ordinary challenges can turn huge events that these adults are simply not prepared to handle. And when there's no God to answer to and no value for human life, it's not too implausible to think this adult just might go out and buy a gun to punish the person (s) who made him fail.

When our children grow up in a culture that rewards hard work, achievement and excellence, then mass shootings will end. And when our culture again embraces a higher authority, then mass shootings will end.

AMEN!

Its about right. Alas we are way past the point of no return.

I'm afraid so too.

That was the most intelligent thing I have heard about that subject in a long time .

I think social media and the attention the shooters get are a big part of that cultural change in the last 10-15 years. Some of the shootings are certainly a cry for attention, and they know they will get it. But there's no way the media will stop reporting them, because they get clicks and help advance their liberal agenda.

I don't go for it, but it's as good an excuse as anything ! People grew up with guns for years and not religion and still did not go out and mass kill.

There's a mental problem that allows people to bring less value to life and a quicker end to it without thought. I'd like to believe that religion might be able to stave this off, however I can't wrap my head around something that has for even longer caused much more senseless loss of life, before guns were even thought of !

“Sometimes the only proof of God you can show someone is that you haven’t killed them yet.”

What a simple solution: change the culture.

How realistic is that approach?

Jim

Use to be automatic through assimilation. How long has it taken to become separated?

Going to take at least twice that long to get back.

Progressive morality began in the 1960's. Mass shootings became more common in the 1990's. Now in 2019 we have what we have now. So if we begin now,and the timeline is similar, by 2050 things should start to normalize which would be good for our children and grandchildren.

As a Christian Hobbie, you know that change for the individual can be instant.

Agree. It is only going to get worse as the Progressives continue to take over our country. We are imploding and people especially the liberal left don’t see it until the country eventually collapses under their control.

Been saying the same thing for years.

It must be realistic, it seems to have happened. A lot of kids in my class took guns to school, to go hunting afterwards. Nobody though of shooting the place up, that wasn't the culture at the time.

Here is the only way out that I can see for the future, and how real change will come about.
In my opinion, before too long, jihadists will be the new "mass shooters". They are already in place waiting for their orders. They now have Congressional representation!
Once they attack, the Sleeping Tiger will be awoken. All of us civil and polite citizens who care about this Representative Republic will be there to quash it were it stands.
I am never far from a handgun or a shotgun, but I can't help but think that maybe I should make myself closer to my AR. THAT'S why we need high capacity arms.
If the citizenry is aptly armed and everyone is aware of that fact, then the current crazy, cowardly safe zone assassins will have nowhere to pull off their sick plans.

The only thing that will stop shootings is the victims shooting back. You can try to pray it away all you like but it hasnt stopped anything yet. My plan is to be armed at all possible times and try my best to stay away from gun free zones. But until everyone else starts carrying these things will just continue.

Interesting perspective. Who are you quoting?

I don’t disagree at all with the opening thread, I think it is bang on, but how do you explain the lack of mass shootings in other countries, countries like Canada, which is far, far, far less openly Christian than the USA? We too were built on Christian principles, by Christians and yet mass shootings are rare as a 100 dollar South Carolina coyote.

Population alone? Higher ratio of nuts? We should be having mass shootings galore based on our extreme hatred of anything Christian and our liberal laws regarding morality.

Same for France, Germany, etc., and other places that have forgotten, nay, pushed out God?