So, about 7 blocks from my house, at the shopping center my 8 year old son and I were in yesterday (and someone in our family is at at least 3 times per week), some nut with a gun just killed 3 people (at least) and more are wounded at the hospital. He just started shooting everyone in site.
What’s wrong with people these days?
Eric
A lot of people are mentally unstable, and it’s really easy for them to buy guns, unfortunately.
I know you’re right Cran. I’m just kind of in shock.
So much for conceal and carry laws helping - several folks were shot and at least two killed in the parking lot where they legally could have had guns in their glove boxes or concealed on their persons. As tends to be the case 99% of the time, it was the police who stopped the guy.
KC never has been the safest city - we’re often in the top 10 or 20 crime cities, but this trend to kill in batches is incredibly unnerving.
About the time of the shootings, or slightly before then, my wife was very close to sending me to the store where the shootings occurred to buy more school pants for my son…I’m glad I bought an extra pair yesterday or there’s a good chance I would have been in that parking lot at just the wrong time.
Eric
There are threads on gun topics at http://cnfpoli.informe.com/viewforum.php?f=2. I heartily recommend the officially approved C&F controversial forum for discussions of this type.
Just one click of the link saves the mods here having to close threads down.
See you there, guys 
It’s my impression that Eric is just shocked and asking questions of “how could this happen,” not wanting to debate guns. I could be wrong though…
I don’t know Jay. I’m just glad you weren’t there, and I’m intensely sorry anyone else was.
how horrible 
i am glad you and your son were not there.
How horrible! I too am glad that neither you nor your son were there, Eric.
Indeed. My heart goes out to the families involved.
I’m not really trying to debate guns and/or their control. Virg. Tech was a no gun area, the parking lot where two of the folks were killed was not. Doesn’t seem like either works. I am, quite simply in shock, and I came here for a mix of comfort and to express my disbelief.
Something has to be done, though. The mall was filled with kids, lots of older folks in the neighborhood with canes and walkers.
What do you tell your kid when someone starts shooting? Do you run or get down on the floor and cover the kid with your body?
How do you help along an elderly person who can’t move quickly when the only thing reasonable to do is run?
Why do I have to know the answer to such questions and how do I explain to my son we still need to go to the mall and the stores around there again?
Those are all tough questions, questions people have to ask all around the world every day. I don’t know that there are any easy or simple answers, unfortunately.
I don’t know… it’s sad and depressing to think about… I am glad you folks were not in the wrong place at the right time…I wish someone had real answers to sensless horrors like these, but no one really does…makes me want to become a hermit.
no Jesus and no Music in their soul
That was my impression too, but you know how other people can accidentally set things drifting…
I live in, and frequent, pretty uneventful parts of town. Still, one never knows. Ever. Terrible goings-on, Eric. I’m glad no one close to you was hurt.
I don’t know how to answer your questions, Eric. Personally, all I have - in the end - is to just live as best and as fully as I know how, as I know the Reaper’s there biding his time for me however it plays out. I realise that’s not of much help when it comes to explaining things to children. Maybe all one can do is, hoping against hope, to point out the unlikelihood of such things happening again, and trust in the ability of children to rebound and get on with life and living.
Its not that hard to figure out, really. The trick is to ensure that you are always better armed than the rest of them. 
djm