Another Shooting.

  • Poet on the Piano
    10 years ago

    There's a shooting that happened today, at a popular mall in Columbia, Maryland. Apparently my grandpa and uncle had just shopped there this morning, right before the shooting. 3 are confirmed dead, as well as the suspected gunman. My dad made the comment that since 2007, there have been a huge increase in shootings in the U.S. Why do these tragic events happen? (Not that I want to branch off into this debate) but not to mention this area was a "gun-free zone."

    I also wanted to ask you guys why you think there are these school or public shootings followed by a suicide?
    I personally believe it could be due to how much the stories are being publicized. Should the media be heavily covering in full detail the story, whether of a shooting or even a celebrity suicide? I think that could possibly have an influence on the person contemplating suicide because they see and are experiencing it more in society. It may not be such a taboo act now that others have done it. Is it becoming a sick, twisted "norm" in someone's eyes? In regards to copycat suicides, I also found a term called the "Werther effect" named by researcher David Phillips. Here is a quote of what he said: "Hearing about a suicide seems to make those who are vulnerable feel they have permission to do it." He also did research on studying those who are more prone to dangerous, risky behaviors if hearing that one set the example first. Do you think this is true or pertains to shootings in public areas where the gunman shoots then takes his own life at the end?

    I also wonder about the psychology of it. If the gunman thinks it isn't a big deal and would rather leave the world with this notorious event, as horrible as that sounds... or do you think the person is seeking revenge and does these acts out of anger?

    Anyway, prayers and thoughts for Columbia and the families involved.

  • Colm
    10 years ago

    I think its a combination of things. I think there is a culture of these shootings emerging and seeing it happen once certainly may give others who are of a similar disposition the idea to do similar.

    I also think that people who are suicidal do not always think rationally. Maybe people who are going to commit suicide think that if they do it this way at least they will be remembered, even if it is in a bad light, it could almost be a 'carpe diem' thing. Or a perceived attack on a society that they hate or that has failed them.

    The main reason something like this happens of course is because an individual makes a conscious decision to do it. In such a big population, there are bound to be people who are suicidal, sociopathic, or whatever. Even if that is 0.001% of what, 400million people? That's still quite a few people that may have a propensity to commit such an act, under a certain set of circumstances.

    I don't think the media shouldn't cover these stories, because the media shouldn't be selective about what stories to cover and what stories not to cover.

    I think the availability of guns is certainly a factor that facilitates these shootings. I don't think its the main cause: I don't think people say 'I can buy a gun so lets shoot people in a school or shopping centre,' but guns being available like this certainly make it easier. There is no such thing as a gun free zone in America: there are probably millions of handguns that are available in the US, guns that can be easily concealed and carried into these places.

    RIP to the victims and condolences to their families.

  • Poet on the Piano
    10 years ago

    Good insight Colm, thanks for replying. And very true that it's a combination.

    Going to ask one more question since you did mention that "in such a big population, there are bound to be people who are suicidal, sociopathic."... yes, there really are no matter what culture. I don't want to branch off too much but I was listening to this speaker the other day give an interesting talk about suicide. He said we shouldn't call it "committing suicide" because the person genuinely feels it is their only choice at the time, so they have to do it. Could you argue that this is true because many suicidal people have a mental illness like major depression that could have been treated, but without therapy and medication, they are in this low state? Or do you think it's hard to put yourself in their shoes and that each individual has different thoughts? I obviously still see it as a conscious choice like you mentioned, but that the individual tricks their mind into thinking that death is the option and there are no others. Because you let that lie enter your mind and you may not have anyone at that moment portraying reality, reminding you that you have control to live.

    I agree about the guns not being the main cause. I should put gun-free zones in quotes because you're right, someone can take one anywhere. The laws about gun control may only apply to those who wish to follow the law but there are many who probably would not.

  • Colm
    10 years ago

    'Could you argue that this is true because many suicidal people have a mental illness like major depression that could have been treated, but without therapy and medication, they are in this low state? Or do you think it's hard to put yourself in their shoes and that each individual has different thoughts?'

    ^^
    I think in some or most cases we just won't know the motivation, much less what is going through somebodies head. I don't know why I do things myself sometimes so I think we can only speculate on motivations, thoughts etc. of other people. Each person is different. What is the difference between somebody who commits suicide by themselves and somebody who does it after a shooting like this, taking others with them? I'm not a psychologist but I think any psychologist would agree that there are no black and white answers in these cases, certainly each case is individual.

    I guess what I mean is that no matter what happens, there will be people who are capable of and who will commit these acts. Some factors such as media coverage and gun availability might make it easier or increase their frequency, but it is impossible for me to decide how simple or complicated the issue is. Simple explanation for this, the culprit was a bad person, end of story. A decent person wouldn't do such a thing. Complicated version, maybe the culprit was brought up in an abusive background, maybe he was depressed and desperate, maybe this was a product of society, maybe if one little thing along the way had happened differently it wouldn't have happened.

  • Beautiful Soul
    10 years ago

    People are just sad honestly. Guns are not the cause I don't think either. There are a lot of people who suffer from depression. Guns are a "popular" choice for suicidal people I suppose. But they can be treated I think. And yes suicide is a choice when they think there is no other. Idk anymore.... this world is just... downfalling fast.

  • Michael D Nalley
    10 years ago

    IMO.. most shootings are senseless, and the international attention a shooting gets correlates to its degree of senselessness.
    Map of Maryland highlighting Charles County ... In April 1865, John Wilkes Booth made his escape through Charles County after shooting President Abraham Lincoln.
    Shootings in an around the DC area have increased steadily The teen bought his ammo legally though many States only allow 21 YO to purchase B.B'S alone

  • silvershoes
    10 years ago

    This is an interesting topic. I'll come back to it in a couple days when I'm done with midterms.