The horror shows of mass shootings transfix the nation, and this long hot summer started at the end of spring with slaughters at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, and at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
The July 4 massacre in Highland Park, Illinois, put an exclamation point on a season where multiple shootings have grabbed the headlines.
And then, there are the tragedies that law enforcement agencies have thwarted.
Dogwood Dell in Richmond, a performance venue in Byrd Park, was reportedly the target on July 4. Two bands and a fireworks show put on a free show in peace … because police had received a tip of a planned mass shooting there, and took action to prevent it.
Richmond’s police said two men have been arrested, and two assault rifles and ammunition were found, in connection with the planned attack.
It’s abundantly clear, although no one wants to believe it, that it can happen here. Virginia has suffered two horrible mass shootings: Virginia Tech in 2007 and Virginia Beach in 2019. Hundreds have died in incidents large and small during the intervening years.
In 2021, according to the Virginia State Police, 562 murders and non-negligent manslaughters occurred in Virginia, an increase in numbers and rate over the year before; of these, 446 involved firearms.
How do we avoid becoming a society that either stays behind fortified walls or arms itself to the teeth? There is no simple answer.
Congress took baby steps this summer toward reducing gun violence. The legislation expands background checks for gun buyers under 21 years of age, cracks down on firearms purchases by domestic abusers, and addresses straw purchases and temporary confiscations.
The new law did not go as far as many advocates desired, who also wish for a ban on assault rifles and universal background checks for all buyers.
Our nation is probably too divided at this point to enact stricter gun control. We hope the new law will eventually have an impact.
Getting involved
A tendency of modern American life is to say “I’m not getting involved” when suspicious activity is observed. “Not my business” or “it’s probably nothing” are easy copouts. Certainly they turn off the conscience and turn the observer away from calling 911.
In Richmond, police label the individual who overheard and tipped off authorities about the Dogwood Dell plan a “hero citizen” who most likely saved many lives. It’s our hope that this hero can be identified and rewarded in time; and that more good citizens will become like him or her.
Half-staff again
Meanwhile, our nation’s proud flags were lowered again last week to half-staff in memory of the Highland Park victims. Sadly, this seems to be a semi-permanent state of affairs.