This is a difficult time for rational discussion.

[kentuck]

The emotions are too raw. This senseless act of violence has touched and scarred every thinking person in America. We are all wounded today. Only time can heal the wounds.

Everyone here is trying to make their points as best they can but we need to understand the difficulty in trying to communicate with words.

Let us think of those who lost their children and the pain they must be bearing today.

[boston bean]

1. I will honor them by discussing rationally

the gun violence in this nation.

Thank you, anyways!

[kentuck]

2. I only said it would be difficult.

Thanks for making your point.

[Laurian]

3. Absolutely. I am so enraged when I'm told now is not the time

to discuss the problem of gun violence. I can hold the victims in my thoughts AND discuss the need to change at the same time. As a matter of fact, the most solace can come from the recognition that something needs to be done to prevent these horrible acts.

My pledge to the families who lost loved ones is that I will no longer be silenced by the NRA and gun lobby. Now is absolutely the time to speak up.

[djean111]

4. Oh, hey, the growing meme is that this is not the shooter's fault.

It is the fault of his parents, his teachers, people who knew him, Obama's fault somehow because the guy needed mental help,
Pretty soon it won't be about guns at all. Except the part where everyone should have a gun, of course, to protect themselves from other people with guns.
That's what I am sensing.
I think the NRA will come out with some crap about the country failing the shooter.
While others discuss the relative killing power of the guns the shooter used to kill the children. "Oh, he left the assault-type weapon in the car, so that's all right!" He just didn't get to use it, in my opinion, because his time in the school was cut short.

I don't actually think it is possible to communicate at all, at this point. Lines are drawn. Positions are locked and loaded.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. I'm angry and I'm loud and I've never felt more rational on this topic.

Irrational is to watch this shit come down every damn day and not get angry and loud.

[marions ghost]

6. Time does not heal this

it's salt being rubbed in an open wound, over and over and over again.

These words of frustration and alarm NEED to be said.

[ananda]

7. Since yesterday morning I have seen very little irrational discussion here.

Most of the reaction to gun violence has been very rational.

Just because it's emotional doesn't mean it's not rational to
advocate for laws and policies inhibiting gun ownership and
fostering better and affordable mental health services.

[Waltons_Mtn]

8. Actually now would be the time to talk about it since the shooting in Oregon took place over a week

ago. OOPs now there is another shooting.... Lets just keep kicking that can down the road. Maybe next week someone will walk into a pediatric ward and start kill even younger children.

What is a good waiting period? The NRA believe it is just long enough to have another mass shooting.

Sorry, I don't mean to offend. Yes, it is difficult, but the hardest work is usually the most valuable.