To the Families of All of Today'sGunshot Victims

     Sunday, February 3, 2013.  My heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of all of today's dozens of gunshot victims.  In most cases, the suicide victims could not have been saved and you should not accept their anger at yourselves.  As for those who were accidentally shot for whatever reason, I'm very sorry your loved one was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I don't mean to be cold, but that is the bottom line on what happened to them.  It is also part of why I write, today.  Preventative action must be taken by our leaders and ourselves to lessen the number of daily shooting victims.  Finally, to the families of the most tragically ironic shooting victims, Chad Littlefield and professional sniper, Chris Kyle, my sincere sympathies.
     The late Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Kyle may have been trying to help their murderer, himself, a possible victim of PTSD acquired in his own military service.  For Mr. Kyle, a man who credits himself  with over 150 gunshot kills in service to his country, it is an excruciating turnabout on himself to be shot to death in a Texas shooting range.  Unfortunately for his family, and himself, this kind of life-ending could not have been written.  It would not have worked in fiction or film.  It is mental health at its worst, and insane irony beyond belief.
     This tragic episode must be added to the nightmares of Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Ft. Hood, Aurora and Littleton Colorado, and thousands of less infamous shootings.  It is my suggestion to all American gun owners who justify their gun owning and use by pleading their second amendment rights, that you should come out from behind that document and look at what is happening.  You are shooting yourselves and your loved ones to death out of fear and ignorance.  That fear and ignorance is encouraged and inflamed by the NRA and its supporters and again, you are its victims.  You and all of the innocents who can be tragically labelled, collateral damage.
     The second amendment to the Constitution is not an issue.  It has been affirmed by the Supreme Court.  No legislation is pending to overturn it.  Gun owners must stop shooting each other and your innocent victims because it is immoral to do otherwise.  If you are afraid, or think someone is out to harm you, seek counseling.  Continuing on your current path will bring about the same results:  suicide, murder, and accidental shooting.  No one of any courage or intelligence is supporting those outcomes in the name of defense.