To lose one innocent life is to lose one life too many. At this moment, we are talking about a loss of at least 10 innocent lives in one mass shooting that took place last night in a well-known LA hang-out for folks celebrating the Lunar New Year. To the best of my knowledge, the massacre culprit, probably a well-armed lone wolf, is still at large. The shock echoed around the Chinese community can't be overstated, at the time when we have yet to work through our shock of a recent similar mass shooting in California.
You bet politicians left and right will soon, if not already, start shooting off their mouths again about their ways to resolve the gun issue. Before we know it, our national sport of blame game will have kicked off, big time. Of course, we might just keep our own counsel, silently hoping that we'll never get in the way of a mass shooter. Yes, mass shootings don't happen often---but may happen nonetheless. As such, life is actually a risky business these days.
The Second Amendment*, though affirming gun rights, still yields enough room for making sure that guns (and assault rifles in particular) will not fall into the wrong hands. This is my idea:
One has to pass a road test before s/he can get a driver's license which is to be renewed every four years or so. The same principle and practice should be applied to every prospective or current gun owner. NO EXCEPTION. Much stricter gun laws are in place in countries like Japan and the United Kingdom where mass shootings are extremely rare. Don't let politicians make us choose between life and freedom. The last time I checked, Japanese and Britons were free peoples.
Well, life goes on. But my wife and I will definitely keep our kids away from mass gatherings.
Author: Ren Qiulan
*The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
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