Another senseless killing spree took place this past weekend in Jacksonville, Florida. According to the Associated Press, a gunman opened fire Sunday at an online video game tournament as it was being livestreamed from a mall, killing two people and then fatally shooting himself.
This tragedy that seems to take place all to often, brings out many knee-jerk reactions.
In reaction, some will want tighter gun control laws. Others look for someone to blame.
The rest of us are left scratching our heads, wondering how this could happen again.
How did we go from where we were as a society to the place where taking another human life seems so easy?
The journey to this place was not overnight. As such, it will not be fixed in an instant, neither with laws, lawsuits, nor some other mechanism.
The condition of the human heart in America today could possibly be at an all-time low. Whatever thought process within someone that keeps them from taking another human life is now frayed or broken all together.
There is no easy answer or solution. Any remedy will take much time to see results. Senseless killings like these will probably continue and maybe worsen.
Attitudes and decisions we make today will not produce results until a generation down the line. But we have to decide that human life is more valuable than any pain we may feel emotionally. We must place the value on human life.
Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are also praying for those who are contemplating similar actions. The killing must stop. Human life is far too valuable.
David A. Specht Jr. is Editor and publisher of the Minden Press-Herald.