http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnRlV_JRgCg
This is a video discussing the Navy Yard Shooting.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
[QUESTION]: Aaron Alexis
Is the government system at fault for not having the proper background checks?
Also: what do you think should be the solution/reaction in order to prevent future shootings?
[COMPARE/CONTRAST] Navy Yard Shooting: NY Times vs. LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-washington-navy-yard-shootings-20130916,0,6137381.story
The LA Times article primarily focused on the facts of the issue. It talked about Alexis' previous misconduct and his mental instability; however, the tone was cut-and-dry and completely unsympathetic towards Alexis. It interviewed the victims from his past run-ins against the law involving firearms.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/us/washington-navy-yard-shootings.html?pagewanted=all
The NY Times article had a slightly more sympathetic tone towards Alexis. It involved an interview with his mother, who was portrayed to be utterly distraught and shocked while the public raged against her and her family. It also spoke about his mental instability and hinted that it may have been more the government's fault for not providing proper background checks.
The LA Times article primarily focused on the facts of the issue. It talked about Alexis' previous misconduct and his mental instability; however, the tone was cut-and-dry and completely unsympathetic towards Alexis. It interviewed the victims from his past run-ins against the law involving firearms.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/us/washington-navy-yard-shootings.html?pagewanted=all
The NY Times article had a slightly more sympathetic tone towards Alexis. It involved an interview with his mother, who was portrayed to be utterly distraught and shocked while the public raged against her and her family. It also spoke about his mental instability and hinted that it may have been more the government's fault for not providing proper background checks.
[SUMMARY] Navy Yard Shooting
On Monday, September 16, Aaron Alexis entered the Navy Yard at Washington D.C. and shot and killed 12 people, wounding 8 others (CNN). The first 911 call was made around 8:15 AM, and soon, buildings were on lockdown and workers were unable to leave until 3 PM (USA Today). It was unclear whether there were multiple gunmen, causing confusion and speculation amongst witnesses as well as responders (Washington Post). Alexis has been been confirmed as among the dead (Washington Post). Investigators are now looking into his background, searching for reports of mental illness/instability and an explanation for the security breach.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/17/us/navy-yard-shooting-knowns-unknowns/index.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/17/navy-yard-gunman-killed-for-more-than-30-minutes/2828585/
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-16/local/42092857_1_second-suspect-lanier-gray
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/17/us/navy-yard-shooting-knowns-unknowns/index.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/17/navy-yard-gunman-killed-for-more-than-30-minutes/2828585/
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-16/local/42092857_1_second-suspect-lanier-gray
[OPINON] We Armed Aaron Alexis
Eight wounded. Twelve dead. The President has given his obligatory condolences; investigators have ferreted out every last possibility of mental illness and forewarnings that could have prevented this tragedy. News reporters and analysts continue to speculate about conspiracies, fallacies in the government systems, anything that will bring in viewers and money. Everyone is pointing fingers and demanding, "Who gave Aaron Alexis his gun? What happened to the background checks? Why didn't we stop this?"
How long will it take Americans to realize that this isn't just a tragic phenomenon? How many more Navy Yards, Sandy Hooks, and Auroras will it take? And those names are only the ones that made national news. According to the Huffington Post, there have been nearly 250 mass shootings (defined as a shooting in which at least 4 people are injured or killed) in 2013- we've only had 260 days in the year.
And the best part? We armed every single one of those shooters.
America has long cherished its beloved Second Amendment- the right to bear arms. But at what point is enough, enough? We have an average of almost 1 mass shooting per day, and our solution is to supply everyone with more guns.
The NRA's standing argument is that arming upstanding civilians will serve as a deterrent for criminals who would otherwise attempt mass murder. And, in the event of a shooting, they claim having guns at hand will help to quickly neutralize the threat.
That's all well and good, except for the fact that this latest shooting happened in the freaking Navy Yard, and twelve people still died.
Not only that, but this "solution" of allowing Americans to easily access firearms is simply damage control. Why aren't we considering prevention -AKA, not giving people the guns in the first place- instead?
If the American people must have their guns, then at least have them pass a strict psychological test in order to get a firearms license, and repeat the test every time they want to buy a gun. If they don't pass, they can't buy the gun. Simple.
How long will it take Americans to realize that this isn't just a tragic phenomenon? How many more Navy Yards, Sandy Hooks, and Auroras will it take? And those names are only the ones that made national news. According to the Huffington Post, there have been nearly 250 mass shootings (defined as a shooting in which at least 4 people are injured or killed) in 2013- we've only had 260 days in the year.
And the best part? We armed every single one of those shooters.
America has long cherished its beloved Second Amendment- the right to bear arms. But at what point is enough, enough? We have an average of almost 1 mass shooting per day, and our solution is to supply everyone with more guns.
The NRA's standing argument is that arming upstanding civilians will serve as a deterrent for criminals who would otherwise attempt mass murder. And, in the event of a shooting, they claim having guns at hand will help to quickly neutralize the threat.
That's all well and good, except for the fact that this latest shooting happened in the freaking Navy Yard, and twelve people still died.
Not only that, but this "solution" of allowing Americans to easily access firearms is simply damage control. Why aren't we considering prevention -AKA, not giving people the guns in the first place- instead?
If the American people must have their guns, then at least have them pass a strict psychological test in order to get a firearms license, and repeat the test every time they want to buy a gun. If they don't pass, they can't buy the gun. Simple.
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