Opinion | Editorials
Lessons from Columbine
Gun-related violence seems likely to continue in US unless laws are changed.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:01 April 21, 2009
It has been 10 years since two students at Columbine high School opened fire on the morning of April 20, 1999, killing 12 students and one teacher. About two dozen other students were injured during the 20 minutes of mayhem.
The scars of Columbine are still evident in American society. For all the pledges to restrict firearm sales and tighten gun-control laws, the United States still remains a society encumbered by its Constitutional right to bear arms.
Since Columbine, we have witnessed Amish angst as young pupils were mowed down, and at Virginia Tech, where students were targeted by a deranged enrolee. A sea of tears has been filled by the sorrow of relatives.
Above all, it is innocents who pay the price for the American fascination with firearms. Sadly, history has repeated itself since Columbine. And sadly it will likely continue to repeat itself until state and federal administrations become unfettered from the gun lobby.
More from Editorials
More from Opinions
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Syrian crisis and rumblings of a cold war
By Patrick Seale, Special to Gulf News
With their vetoes, Russia and China are saying they too have interests in the Middle East, which they are bent on protecting
-
Motives for a new regional alignment
By Marwan Kabalan, Special to Gulf News
The relationship between Iraq and Syria strengthened following the breakout of the uprising and withdrawal of US troops
-
Learning Arabic must not be seen as a compulsion
By Rabia Alavi, Special to Gulf News
Expatriates must see its inclusion in school curriculum as an invitation to integrate into Emirati society and an opportunity to access markets presently reserved for Emiratis
Your turn
