In response to the tragic shooting in a church in Charleston, S.C., President Obama has decried this happened because there are just too many guns in this country. And, he added, too many guns are in the hands of the wrong people. I have this simple question. What if there was just one more gun and it happened to be in the hands of one of the people who were at that church service? What if, while this worthless punk was reloading, that one gun was used to take him out? You see, as I have said so many times before, the only way to stop a gun is with a gun. When seconds count, the cops are only minutes away.
We have to face some reality here. There are probably as many guns in this country as there are people. If a law was passed today outlawing guns, who would then have guns? Would it be the good citizens who protect their families and their possessions? Or would those guns be in the hands of the bad guys? Wake up.
Gun-control legislation is liberal feel-good legislation. It has no practical benefit to the people.
Since this shooting, reports are coming out some people who knew Dylann Roof, the suspected killer, were aware he was an evil racist. They are even saying he was destined to commit some vicious act. The question is being asked, “Why didn’t somebody report him? Why didn’t somebody stop him?” You might just as well ask why didn’t somebody stop a bolt of lightning from striking? We live in a free society. Our society is governed by laws. One cannot be prosecuted unless and until they break the law and hate is not against the law.
That having been said, I believe more could possibly have been done. Somewhere, somehow, Roof learned his hate. He learned a hate that has been simmering for a lot longer than just one evening. He doubtless had shared his twisted views with many during his few short years. Perhaps if someone who loved him had slapped some sense into him maybe he wouldn’t be in the situation he’s in today and maybe these nine innocent lives would have been spared. We are not seers. We cannot see the future. We don’t really know what the future holds, but we can often see little bits and pieces that should tip us off.
So what do we do with this miserable little twerp now? Some say if he’s convicted, he should be executed immediately. Others say nothing is gained by killing this killer. They say there is no deterrent value in a death sentence. Well it certainly would be a deterrent to Roof because he would be dead.
I have even heard a proper punishment would be to cut him loose in a maximum-security prison, give all the inmates the information that he’s there and tell them what he did, then give Roof a 50-yard head start. I believe the state would be spared a good deal of expense if that were done.
Today though, the families of his victims see things differently and are praying for his worthless hide. Today they are offering forgiveness. My heart was broken as I listened to the families asking God to forgive this punk. I doubt I would have the grace to do the same if those were my relatives and friends.
What is the better way? Is it better to hate this creep? Or is it better to pray for him? I leave it to you to decide. For a certainty hate just begets more hate, but love absolutely begets love.
