It is difficult to comprehend the scope of the tragedy that has struck Newtown, Conn., where a gunman Friday killed 26 people at an elementary school, 20 of them children.
Police say Adam Lanza, 20, also killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, at their home then drove to the school where he opened fire on school personnel and the children. Lanza killed himself at the scene, bringing the total number of dead to 28.
It is heart-rending to think of the loss suffered by the families of these children, all first-graders. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims, their friends and loved ones.
It’s impossible to determine what might have motivated Adam Lanza to commit such a horrible act. In the end, there rarely is an understandable motivation behind the actions of mass murderers. They are not rational and their “reasons” are known only to themselves.
In the wake of such tragedies, the same questions arise. What must we do?
Andover Public Schools Superintendent Marinel McGrath has some helpful suggestions. We must talk to our children, she said in a letter to the community.
First, parents are encouraged to “protect your young children from repeated viewings and auditory exposure to news accounts” of the school shooting. Provide only as much information and reassurance as the child seems to want or need. Children often may not be interested in a lengthy conversation about this, and will be satisfied with a brief reassurance.
Emphasize that they are safe and that they are loved.
McGrath also had words of hope and optimism for those touched by this tragedy.
“We are all in this together; loving and caring for the children of this community,” she wrote. “For all of us as adults, I trust we will find a way to draw reassurance and comfort from each other and the affirming messages of this holiday season. The bad news is not all of the news, and we have so much to be thankful for.”
These are encouraging thoughts, and we thank McGrath for them.
Inevitably, in the wake of mass shootings come the calls for more restrictive gun control, even for banning possessions of guns altogether. This is a debate that will rage in the coming days and weeks, but it is hard to imagine that further restrictions on gun laws will have an appreciable impact on incidents such as this.
Connecticut’s gun laws already are quite restrictive. And it is already illegal in Connecticut to possess a gun on school property, without the direct permission of the school. Reports thus far indicate the school had followed the proper procedures regarding security.
Laws couldn’t stop the Newtown school shooter. Such laws never have any effect on those determined to do evil.
There have been over 20 incidents of gunmen causing mass casualties in the United States in the past year. This is something that can’t be legislated away. We are foolish to think that laws alone provide solutions. It is a problem that will require far more involvement on the part of our society — neighbors, friends, family.
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
