A terrible tragedy occurred somewhat recently in Nashville, Tennessee. First things first, under no circumstance should violence against children should be a topic of discussion in any context. Alas, we are living in an imperfect world and such monstrosities do occur, and some of them make it into the news every once in a while. Even more unfortunate is the politically driven discussions that gain speed after such incidents. Yes, I am talking about the interpretations of the 2nd Amendment. But as a whole; from the ones who would even go and revoke the whole Amendment to the ones that advocate the benefits of owning several automatic grenade launchers.

Culturally sensitive, and weirdly appealing to a “specific” type of onlooker. The country’s foundations are rebellious and this amendment was historically to serve as a failsafe if an invasion or subversion was to take place. Citizens were cooperating among themselves, sure, but the premise was to be ready to descend into a (un)organized militia at any time in order to make it a lot more difficult for whoever is to try to get their way over them. On this note, it resembles more of a band of warring tribes sitting on barrels of gunpowder.

The reality was not too far from this analogy actually. The way the latest “settlers” brought with them the capacity to bring death and destruction on a large scale… They used this capacity effectively, and nigh annihilated whoever was unlucky enough to be living there before them. In time, dust and the new Populus settled. Towns and cities emerged, all above the stashes of gunpowder buried underneath them. Of, by, and for this reason, the exultant nature of violence as a means to realize their dreams seem to have been imprinted on their fabric. And with it, malicious uses of such capacity as well, even by the ones who should not have been able to get a hold of a weapon in the first place.

Broadening the Scope

In contemplating this issue, I do see a way to interpret this phenomenon on a global scale. The phenomenon I mean is the bundle of traits of the so-called Information Age. True, nowhere else does it manifests this brutal base, stemming from the US’s recent history. However, old rules and codes fail to respond to our age all over the world. And it is only natural, for the reality we are living in changes so rapidly. But the things that advanced are merely our tools, not humanity itself. People are fallible, as they were in the times past. And just as they will be by every stretch of the imagination. Including the ones that end up making rules, just like the ones who adopt them.

One can pull the discussion into a myriad of directions from here. Still, I would like to draw a point that borders a fair warning bell. The dizzying speed with which things seem to be moving should not distract anyone from the core of a given issue. One needs to have an astute understanding of himself, herself; themselves. This starts with his own history and at least a basic grasp of its kind as species. And within a tragic topic like a school shooting, where many groups have a take, this need becomes even clearer. Arguments against the 2nd Amendment will never be just about the said article. Just as cries for polite and armed societies will not stop within the borders of autonomy of safety.

Shooting, But What?

Factual reality always shifts, or at least plants the seed, way ahead of any code men could write down or get in line with. In this age, reality seems to be on a hallucinogenic trip with a thousandfold arms drawing the string in every direction. The times make us question the previously known as unquestionable more and more. And one should question, but from a resilient foundation, at least from the get-go, to any narrative that pulls the rope closer to itself. Lest one becomes a grain of sand in a sandstorm. Any and every institution has always been under fire, and our Age’s trip makes it shine in every color; to each to their desire. Otherwise one might begin to realize a shooting everywhere, not just in US schools. In an ideal world, they are only stars.