Domestic terrorism

[JoeRedskin]

I am no fan of gun control both from a philosophical and practical aspect. With that said, however, something has to be done. Freedom v. security is a constant challenge.

These attacks are consistent in going after the weak and undefended. People in church, children at school, and now the mentally challenged. The reason we band together as a society is - in part - to protect the defenseless among us from those who would otherwise harm them.

On the other hand, if we strip away the right to protect ourselves and, instead, rely on government to defend us, (1) we will need to increase the police presence significantly - try getting Baltimore City PD to respond to a burglary; (2) everyone will need to get used to a much more intrusive government and be ready to surrender significant personal freedoms unrelated to the right to own a gun. Just as with freedom, security comes with a price.

The tragedies need to end. While I generally am not in agreement with him on issues, I agree with Obama's statement that these types of shootings cannot become "something that just happens in the ordinary course of events."