Their gaze is intense, it shows no remorse; their lips are set in a straight line, displaying indifference; their faces without any emotions, mocking the world; they all look same - the perpetrators.
Parents waiting behind police barricades, anxious to know the fate of their wards; friends hugging each other, filled with grief; people holding candle light vigils, eager to send the message; they too look the same. These scenes have been seen repeated over and over again throughout parts of the United States in the last few decades, only the names of places and victims change.
Victims, who are the actual victims? Why are they, the victims?
The Oxford dictionary defines victim as a person harmed or injured as a result of a crime or accident. This definitely is not an accident. This is a crime, the most outrageous, evil and heinous crime committed against humanity. Inexcusable and unpardonable. They were human beings too with lives of their own. They had plans, hopes, ambitions and dreams. They too had parents, spouses, siblings, friends and more importantly children. Who can replace a loving mother, son, sister, husband or a friend gone without even saying goodbye. I strongly believe the people who are accused of these acts are also victims. Victims of a failed system that should have helped them before they went overboard.
How long will US blame terrorism, the extremist attitudes, the Muslims, psychiatric problems, immigration policies and in the latest case the Federal Bureau of Investigation? Please, stop beating around the bush and address the elephant in the room. The US government has to set an end to it. And only they can. I don’t know how many more innocent lives have to be lost before the eyes of the policy makers are opened. Simply look at those countries with stricter gun control laws and their low crime rates. It is not rocket science. No availability means no usage. It is as simple as that.
- The reader is based in Abu Dhabi
