What Lessons Can We Learn From Maine’s Horrible Tragedy
The 18 lives lost deserve an honest reflection
Even if someone advocates strongly for the right to bear arms and wants to protect civil liberties, this case should cause us all to say, “Enough is enough.”
There were too many warning signs regarding the shooter, which indicated he was headed toward chaos.
One obvious factor was his social environment, which suggested he needed severe assistance. His colleagues in the Maine National Guard and multiple family members reported his mental instability. Combine that fact with the shooter’s expertise and access to firearms; this man was literally a ticking time bomb.
The shooter was taken to a psychiatric hospital in July 2023 and stayed there for 2 weeks.
In retrospect, evidently, it was not sufficient to preserve his mental health once he left the facility.
To give some context, inpatient treatment for a substance use disorder in my neck of the woods usually falls between 28–32 days or longer. Obviously, mental health issues are viewed differently, but the timeframe for this man’s hospitalization does deserve a review.
Another issue to examine revolves around Maine’s gun laws as it pertains to those with a mental health disorder.
There’s nothing currently stopping anyone with a mental health diagnosis/treatment from purchasing firearms in Maine. Let alone legal means for taking guns away from someone deemed mentally unstable.
Understandably, gun rights advocates are skeptical about agreeing to the government taking their firearms under any circumstances.
With that said, there are exceptions to any rule in life. Reading about all the different times this man’s family members and colleagues articulated they were scared of him should qualify as some criteria for a third party to get involved.
18 innocent souls are no longer among the living; their ages ranged from 14 to 76.
What do we say to their families? This is the price of living in a free republic?
That’s easy to say for a person whose blood was not spilled. Trust, one’s perspective changes completely once they or someone they love is in the firing line. It’s insulting to tell a grieving individual to get over it when their world literally stopped on October 26th.
I guess the real question becomes, what would gun advocates need to happen before they would consider making a change to the gun laws?
How many more Maine types of mass shootings will it take? Even for a complete cynic or conspiracy theorist, there should come a moment of clarity around responsible action.
I’m someone who supports the 2nd amendment. I’ll always vote in favor of having the means to protect myself with guns, but I’m also open to responsible provisions for those who are a threat to themselves or others.
The issue stopped being about left or right a long time ago.
This comes down to humanity and what’s best for the greater good. Indifference only works when it doesn’t involve us, but at the rate we are going, there’s a good chance one day, this type of bloodshed will arrive right at our front door.
Vertis Williams is a Positive Habits Life Coach and a Mindfulness Trainer. He is a regular presenter at employee and team-development events. Contact him to request more info on his Workshops or on his Coaching Services! Click HEREto Request a Complimentary Habit Coaching Session!
