Topic: gun violence

Blanks Fired At Cannes TV Broadcast And I Would Have Freaked Out Too

Although I’ve never heard gunshot noises in a crowd like the people at this Cannes TV broadcast, I will admit that all of the public gun violence in the news has seriously affected my ability to enjoy many public settings — namely malls and movie theaters. I went to see Star Trek in IMAX 3D with my husband the other day, and when the previews started up, I started to panic a little about how dark and crowded it was. What if somebody in there had a gun? More »

Suspension Of Pencil ‘Weapon’ Wielding Boy Makes Me Want To Put Driver Elementary School In Time-Out

I might not understand gun culture, but I do understand common sense — possibly unlike Driver Elementary School in Suffolk, Virginia. More »

Glee School Violence Episode Offends Newtown Residents

Historically, Glee’s script has run parallel to current issues, which I think jump starts interesting conversations among viewers. But the way they handled this particular issue makes it seem like they’re using one of our country’s most horrific recent tragedies solely for their own profit. More »

1-Year-Old Senselessly Shot In The Head By Kids And I’m A Sobbing Mess

A 1-year-old little boy has been fatally shot in Brunswick, Georgia. And it is worth warning that the sheer senselessness of this crime was enough to reduce me to a sobbing mess for roughly 15 minutes. So it might not be the best story to delve into if you’re sitting around at work. Just an FYI. More »

This Is Why Lupe Fiasco Is Freakin’ Amazing – His Song To Honor Baby Killed During Diaper Change

Lupe Fiasco recorded a song for Jonylah Watkins , the 6-month-old infant shot and killed during her diaper change. More »

Erect A New Place In Hell For The Person Who Fatally Shot A Baby Mid-Diaper Change

The tragedies of gun violence in Chicago continue their downward spiral to depressing new lows. After the national outcry at Hadiya Pendleton‘s and Janay McFarlane‘s murders, this latest horror should add fuel to the fire under legislators to make meaningful strides in tackling gun violence. The newest victim is a 6-month-old little girl, Jonylah Watkins, who was shot along with her father while he was changing her diaper. More »

Grandmother Calmly Picks Up Grandchildren Before Committing Double Murder Suicide

It is a disturbing story, the likes of which I have never seen in my time covering families, parents and the news that surrounds them. We’ve seen a shockingly high number of parental murder-suicide crimes this winter. But this is the first grandparent murder-suicide that I’ve ever come across. And my heart simply aches for everyone involved. More »

Public Schools Installing ‘Panic Buttons’ Are Definitely A Sign Of The Times

Public schools in Marietta, Georgia have added “panic buttons” as a response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary and our increasing nation-wide problem with violence in schools. Banks have long been using panic buttons to alert police to potentially dangerous situations in progress. Why not have them in schools? More »

Police May Know Adam Lanza’s Chilling Motive For The Sandy Hook Massacre

In the months since the Newtown shooting, police believe that they have begun to piece together details about Adam Lanza‘s crimes, including the most mysterious and haunting aspect: his motive. Why did this young man kill his mother and then attack innocent children and teachers at a local elementary school? Why did 27 people die? More »

What We're Reading:

18-Year-Old Mother Fatally Shot — Hours After Her Sister Attends President Obama’s Gun Control Speech

Janay McFarlane was visiting her family and friends in North Chicago. She was 18 years old, walking down the street, when she was shot in the head. Just hours earlier, her 14-year-old sister Destini attended President Obama‘s Chicago gun control speech. Now, Destini’s sister is dead and Janay’s three-month-old son is motherless, all due to the city’s horrible epidemic of gun violence. More »

Violent Media & Kids: Censors Aren’t The Solution, We Need Better Parenting

When it comes to addressing the tragic episodes of gun violence across our country, there seems to be two camps. Those pushing for gun control. And those pushing for… anything else. But while both sides are making vague mentions of violent entertainment, few people have an actual recommendation about how to curb the influence of violent video games and movies. The answer is simple. We need better parenting. More »

Realistic School Shooting Drills Are Seriously Going Overboard

Shooting sprees and mass gun violence in schools have prompted some schools to implement shooting drills, preparing kids for what to do if that type of violent scenario ever took place. I don’t have a problem with that. I have a problem with the way in which some schools going about it. More »

22-Year-Old Mom Of Three Tragically Shoots Her Children Before Committing Suicide

Mayra Perez is the latest tragedy in a long line of tragedies that have been plaguing our country. Her children are the latest victims of gun violence, two more souls added to the growing tallies. More »

Oklahoma Teen Tragically Commits Suicide In The School Bathroom, Entire Student Body Likely In Shock

At 8:35 this morning, a freshman at Coweta Intermediate School in Oklahoma went into the bathroom and fatally shot themselves, sending the students and school around them into disarray. Police were on the scene within minutes, securing the school and making sure there were no other threats to the students. The school administrators handled the situation well, putting the local middle and high school on lockdown and quickly reaching out to parents. But sadly, that well thought-out and executed response won’t be enough to comfort students of the school, who will all be suffering through a very traumatic emotional experience over the next couple of months. More »

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