The shooting in Orlando this morning was an horrific event, and I fear it will lead to other horrific events. Was the shooter homophobic? Was he a radical Islamic terrorist? Did he just break up with his husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend? Did his dog just die? Does it matter? Does it really matter if the victims were gay people in a gay bar? They are now dead people in a morgue. They are now lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, friends, and lovers.
Please don’t let any of the circumstances of this shooting allow you to think that there’s a reason other than pure hatred. Don’t get wrapped up in the details. The details don’t matter. What matters is that 50 people are dead. How many people will you interact with today – 5? 15? Perhaps 50? Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Agnostic or Atheist – please spare a moment today to think of those lost, their families, the law officers, the family of the shooter. Tragedy fills our screens again today, and until we find a way to stop hate and gun violence in this country, it will continue to do so.
If you’re one of those who will use this horrific event to defend your right to bear arms by saying 1 armed good guy could have stopped this, please save your breath. The police officer who was in the club at the time of the shooting couldn’t stop it from happening, and he is a trained professional.
Who ever you are, where ever you go today and however many people you see, please consider ways to help ensure this never happens again. Your town, your friends, neighbors or family members could be on the roll of those killed in the next shooting.
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