Pope Francis Calls for Gun Control in the U.S.

David Bartlett

It all boils down to keeping guns out of the hands of bad people without taking them away from good people. The trick is knowing the difference. Banning guns won't keep them out of a criminal's hands. But last year when the police stopped answering 911 calls for three weeks in my city due to staff shortages and crime increased by 2000% in that period we were forced to fend for ourselves. When things get ugly and there are no police around are we going to defend ourselves with sticks and stones? In most of these cases it has been found that there was at some point a red flag that went ignored. We need to stop ignoring red flags. We also need to make some laws that ban ignoring red flags. The incident in Chicago this week is a good example. This nut job made multiple death threats and had his knife collection confiscated but that is all they did. Perhaps it was because the law didn't give them the ability to do more. We need to outlaw death threats and make it possible to actually take real action. We claim that such things are commonplace and said in the heat of the moment yet time and again that is proven not to be the case. So how about make it a felony to make a death threat. Then confiscate all fire arms that person has since felons can have them anyways then put an ankle bracelet on them for a minimum of five years then only let them take it off after that if they pass a thorough psychiatric exam. But as with all felons ban them from owning fire arms for life. End all fire arm ownership for anyone under 21. If we can have 21 as the drinking age why not as the gun owning age? That father made it possible for his son to legally by a gun but he could not have made it possible for his son to drink a beer. That makes no sense. Make thorough background checks universally mandatory for the purchase of all guns or ammo even private sales. Also, and this is really the only true controversial suggestion I would make, require all public school students to undergo a full psychiatric exam every 24 months until the graduate from high school and if any red flags come up then ban firearms from the household where they live. Your the parent of a crazy kid? No problem, store your guns elsewhere and don't bring them within 300 feet of your crazy kid. I'm sure a gun store would be happy to rent you a locker to keep them in. Or just get a storage unit and keep the key from your kid. A senior citizen like myself should not be rendered defenseless just because legislators are lazy.

Dr. Bob Thomas

Gun control? That has been tried and it failed. This is not a gun problem. This is a violence problem. The children that perpetrate this mass killings have become numb to the act of killing. When you examine American Entertainment, whether it be in the Cinema, on television, on books and magazines, violence is always present. In the Cinema, we see multiple versions of the most gruesome story lines: Jason, Freddie, Jaws, to name only a few. Then each new iteration must be even more violent than the last. Children grow up seeing that murder is socially acceptable by law enforcement if it has its bases in rage, or revenge, or even if it is in the National Interest. Killing is not just okay, it is mandatory for a happy ending. Now it is near impossible to find a t.v. show that does not tresspass over some value that was considered wrong only a few years ago. Removing guns from the picture does not solve the problem. It only changes to instrument used to carry out the planned action.
In Europe, where guns are not as common as the U.S., they still have mass killings. They use explosives, or chemicals, or even drive a car or truck through a crowded venue. And if you think that getting a car or a truck is more difficult than a gun ... you are just blinded by the media.
And since when have all of us forgotten that the media is a for profit industry. "If it bleeds, it leeds." That's how they stay in business. I don't see any of them writing for the "public good." No! They want the big house and new car just like the rest of us. We all agree that the integrity of all news networks has been seriously eroded over the past few decades. To change hearts and minds you have to control the narrative (Green Beret Training - Viet Nam).

It's not just the 2nd amendment that must be resigned in, the first amendment also has to take a hit too.

Violence in the media and literature has to be cut way back or even stopped. Then the availability of this type of weapon must also be controlled or even stopped.

I submit to you that if society no longer praises violent entertainment, then the desire for these types of weapons will likewise disappear.

Then if you have an uncontrollable desire to shoot these kinds of guns, join the military.

Finally, we have to stop ignoring the violence in our inner cities. Too many people are shot every weekend. EVERY WEEKEND!!! Yet the media focuses on the occasional school shooting? You must agree that schools do not get shot up every week. Yet between 10 and 20 people are in the inner cities. EVERY WEEKEND.

Perhaps that is not discussed because a.) The people who have the $$$ to buy newspapers, magazines, go to movies, don't care about what happens in the inner city. b.) The politicians who run for office answer to the people with the most $$$ (in this case those who sell the drugs). c.) Everyone knows that in order to solve this problem, everything has to change. Better schools with more experienced teachers; opportunities to learn high paying skills and the jobs that go with them; improved social services staffed with truly concerned individuals themselves making good wages; law enforcement whose primary purpose is to truly aid the people on their neighborhood; open lines of communication between those suffering with those who can actually make changes; Good paying jobs where a single parent can actually support their children without having to get three part times jobs to not even come close to doing the same; churches that support their community who support them; copa that are happy to live where they patrol because everyone is respectful; ... there's more I'm sure ... d.) All the above.

This is not a gun problem. This is a problem with the aggrandizement of violence. And it will not stop by just controlling guns. We must control the violence.

Rev Sir Nathan

Couldn't care less about what the Pope wants.

Dr. Bob Thomas

I am heartbroken over the deaths caused by this individual, and the tools that he used to achieve his goals.

But, I have to ask: If this man had driven an Ice Cream truck through the playground and killed 19 4th graders and 2 teachers, would there be a call to eliminate all Ice Cream Trucks?

Getting rid of the instrument does not stop the crime. It is true that there are literally millions of these "Modern Shooting Rifles" in public hands in the United States. Just as there are millions of Trucks. And furthermore there is no question that there are more traffic fatalities per year in the U.S. than the total number of people killed by guns (including the incredible death rate in the inner cities like Chicago, New York, L.A., Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Milwaukee, Seattle, Kansas City, Tulsa, Detroit, Washington D.C., just to mention a few.

Furthermore, all of these cities have gun control laws that are much more dramatic than what are being proposed today! Yet still these deaths are taking place and their numbers are not included in any discussion anywhere. I again have to ask why?

If the strict gun control laws of just Chicago and New York are not enough to stop the killings that take place every weekend in those very cities, then how is it going to work anywhere else?

I hear the critics scream that it is the guns in the states next to these cities that come across our boarders that are responsible! As neighboring states have already instituted matching gun laws, the borders have just moved on to somewhere else.

And therein lies the rub.

There will always be another boarder to smuggle guns, drugs, slaves, children, and anything else made illegal that depraved minds crave, across.

And there lies the answer. It is the minds of these depraved souls that must be turned away from violence and towards the love and compassion for our fellow man. Only then will all this senseless killing end.

Well, that is as long as no foreign despot decides that it is in his best interest to invade his peaceful neighboring nation in order to maintain his iron fisted control over scarce but valuable resources (like oil, natural gas, food, clean air, and water). Even if that nation was at one time part of his own nations history (Kuwait, Poland, Ukraine, India, and yes, even those pesky 13 colonies of the United States of America!) Then we will seek out our own violent young men and train them in the use of all these weapons of war and be glad of it. We will throw parades for those who return unbroken from it. And we will assuage our wounded conscience by "thanking them for their service!" When truth be told, if you knew what atrocities I committed using my weapon of war for you, you would cross over to the other side of the street when I walk by. You would seek to lock me and my brothers away from God loving and God fearing people like yourself. That is until the next time you need us to maintain your way of life unopposed and unmolested.

Dr. Bob Thomas

I am heart broken over the deaths caused by this individual, and the tools that he used to achieve his goals.

But, I have to ask: If this man had driven an Ice Cream truck through the playground and killed 19 4th graders and 2 teachers, would there be a call to eliminate all Ice Cream Trucks?

Getting rid of the instrument does not stop the crime. It is true that there are literally millions of these "Modern Shooting Rifles" in public hands in the United States. Just as there are millions of Trucks. And furthermore there is no question that there are more traffic fatalities per year in the U.S. than the total number of people killed by guns (including the incredible death rate in the inner cities like Chicago, New York, L.A., Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Milwaukee, Seattle, Kansas City, Tulsa, Detroit, Washington D.C., just to mention a few.

Furthermore, all of these cities have gun control laws that are much more dramatic than what are being proposed today! Yet still these deaths are taking place and their numbers are not included in any discussion anywhere. I again, have to ask why?

If the strict gun control laws of just Chicago and New York are not enough to stop the killings that take place every weekend in those very cities, then how is it going to work anywhere else?

I hear the critics scream that it is the guns in the states next to these cities that come across our boarders that are responsible! As neighboring states have already instituted matching gun laws, the boarders have just moved on to somewhere else.

And there in lies the rub.

There will always be another boarder to smuggle guns, drugs, slaves, children, and anything else made illegal that depraved minds crave, across.

And there lies the answer. It is the minds of these depraved souls that must be turned away from violence and towards the love and compassion for our fellow man. Only then will all this senseless killing end.

Well, that is as long as no foreign despot decides that it is in his best interest to invade his peaceful neighboring nation in order to maintain his iron fisted control over scare but valuable resources (like oil, natural gas, food, clean air, and water). Even if that nation was at one time part of his own nations history (Kuwait, Poland, Ukraine, India, and yes, even those pesky 13 colonies of those United States of America!) Then we will seek out our own violent young men and train them in the use of all these weapons of war and be glad of it. We will throw parades for those who return unbroken from it. And we will assuage our wounded conscience by "thanking them for their service!" When truth be told, if you knew what atrocities I committed using my weapon of war for you, you would cross over the side of the street when I walk by. You would seek to lock me and my brothers away from God loving and fearing people like yourself. That is until the next time you need us to maintain your way of life unopposed and unmolested.

Bryan Bauman

First question is who does the Pope really serve? It seems he has been backing Satan more than Christ. Just watch the movies. The Catholic church has sent more people to hell than any other organization other than Satan's.

Richard Lee Cornell

Where as the head of a foreign country tells the American citizens that they must disarm. Bull on him. He is not my ruler and far as I'm concede most Catholics would rather be armed then let another religion tell them what to do. The average Texan likes two things their Bible and their God given right to have a gun. The Pope is full of or better over full.

Gerard Babin Usmc-Dav

Respectfully the "Holy Father" is not a US Resident and the Roman Catholic Church has no right being involved in US politics. Considering first the fact that they are a corporate investor (one of the largest on the planet) in weapons of submission/war. Second the majority of the first colonists were protestant and did not hold with the values of the RCC when this country was founded. No Clergy has the right or authority to speak on protecting children considering also the RCC is the scurge of children world wide.

Sandra Lynn Young

The Pope nor any church or religion should be taking a political stance on “ANY SUBJECT”!! PERIOD!!!! They need to stay out of politics & keep their political out of their “preaching”! I am trying to find a church with a pastor, minister or any person of faith that is not preaching political bias & nonsense. I want a church that is “Bible” teaching. Gospel. I get enough political BS from BS TV. It really angers me how the Pope is right in with “The Cabal”! Definately not “Jesus” thinking or teachings!!!!

Richard Vincent Price

1st and 2nd Amendments, these two amendments work together hand in hand, if ever one of these two amendments were ever to be repealed the other amendment which is left will be squashed by political tyranny, people must understand these two amendments mean everything to our nation.

The world is a very dangerous place right now and we need our Constitution to work for us for our freedoms are being challenged by many different extreme radical far-left and extreme radical far-right political groups both foreign and domestic who would like nothing more than to destroy our Constitution and strip us of our 1st and 2nd Amendments.

Our 2nd Amendment is being challenged socially and politically because of the godless evil doers infringing on our rights and freedoms requiring political and judicial justice to stop our children from murdering our children.

Parents have become a Godless society of not being able to control or punish their children because of society's laws and rules. "Spare the rod and spoil the child" Who Said That? We have let society and social media take our children's minds and twist and warp and destroy good to practice pure evil, parents are not nurturing their children, parents are not teaching responsibility, respect, dignity, morals, manners, right from wrong or discipline or consequences. 95% of our children ages 12 to 25 and some even younger are murdering our children in schools on the streets and in our homes.

We have a Godless society with no end in sight. We seem to intervein either far too late or not at all, and then blame the GUN for what evil godless people do. People and society are to blame not a gun, magazine, ammo, gun maker, ammo maker, or gun store owner. It takes a human to put all of this together to prepare a gun to be fired, it takes an evil, warped, distrait brainwashed mind to murder innocent children who have done nothing to deserve such heinous evil torture and murder.

The gun is a tool to defend our family, protect our family, protect our property, protect our states and nation from invasion of intruders and enemies foreign and domestic, to provide food, meat, "game' for our table and to provide recreation, sport target shooting and hunting.

Society has lost it's compos and its morals. We let young children rule an adult world, we give them elaborate expensive phones, computers and evil killing games to play at very young age of 3, a full ride of the internet and the World Wide Web paying hundreds and thousands of dollars for these devices for our children to discover the evil ways of the world all to brainwash their innocent minds with evil and filth with no remorse. Where are the Parents?

We remove God and religion from their lives and from the schools, we provide audio and video and cult teachings of gender unsurety, sex changing, gender mutilation to our children as young as 4 and 5.

These are scary evil times we are in, we need our 2nd Amendment even more today than in the past 100 years. And yes there are some people "OUT THERE" that should never ever have a firearm within arms reach of one and never ever be able to poses a firearm.

Gun laws should be more strict on who can buy and own a firearm, a waiting period of at least 4 to 6 months, along with training classes of 20 hours of safe handling and use of firearms, firing range training and practice. Better background checks that require fingerprints and mug shots all at the buyers expense, also notarized 8 personal witnesses affidavit of applicants demeanor, attitude, mind and body, 4 must be close family members and 2 close friends and 2 close co workers, 1 family close member, 1 close friend and 1 close coworker must be present and identifiable upon purchase of firearm over gun store counter. A 12 day waiting period on Ammo for the caliber after possession of firearm, 2 of the witnesses must be present to purchase ammo. Age to poses any firearm and any ammo will be 21. Hunting ages of 12 to 21 must be accompanied by 3 adults over the age of 30. Here is a really good start for gun control. Education education education, needs to start at a young age with the safe handling of firearms, children are curious of everything and need educated about firearms the history the dangers and the need for firearms in our lives.

Our children are lost because of the lack of or no parenting and being left alone without God in their lives for far to long. God must be allowed to come back into our families, homes, schools, events, and churches the world has been without God for over 50 years. We must see our faults and we all must adjust our direction back into Gods Arms and the word of God.

Daniel Joseph Morse

Church and religion are both BS, organized to control the populace. "If you don't do what I say, sky-daddy won't like you." And by the way, vengeance and punishment extends beyond death, so don't entertain thoughts of freedom after death.

There is not a shred of proof for this proposition. If you can believe that, you really have reached a new low of human spirit and would buy a house that's underwater.

The problem ISN'T with GUNS, anymore than with the other things people use for weapons. The problem is with people. They don't raise their kids responsibly. They don't raise kids to know that actions have consequences. The parents are lazy, ignorant persons and incapable of creating anything better than they are. An English teacher cannot teach French - they don't know it and cannot lead the way.

People fear the unknown so they give up their spirit in pursuit of "security". This is a BS way to live. "Be kind" is ever the plea of the weak against the strong. Let the weak exercise themselves and be strong. Their laziness and ignorance are the flags they wave to claim that which is not theirs.

Lazy, ignorant, weak persons want us to be like them so they may be more secure in their sloth.

Do you follow a stupid person, capable only of theft from their betters, too lazy to find their own food and drink? Surely you will be worthy of the wages given you. Strong persons do not follow weak leaders.

Parents of these useless kids should share the fate of the kid, surely as a bad farmer raises no crops. Raise a bad kid, the penalty goes to the parent.

Ursula C Hart

Guns don’t kill people anymore than cars kill people, or knives cut people, or fists hurt people. It’s people who hurt, kill or maim others. It’s really quite simple. What we don’t hear about are the hundreds who thwart of attackers everyday. When I was jumped in NY in 2010 by a gang of females, I couldn’t get the police department to press charges nor the press/media to print about it. Why? This would damage tourism. I was taught follow the money trail if you wonder why something is relevant or not. ‘Gun control’ is just another ‘tool’ to get politicians including the ‘Pope’; Hollywood etc air time.

Richard Vincent Price

1st and 2nd Amendments, these two amendments work together hand in hand, if ever one of these two amendments were ever to be repealed the other amendment which is left will be squashed by political tyranny, people must understand these two amendments mean everything to our nation.

The world is a very dangerous place right now and we need our Constitution to work for us for our freedoms are being challenged by many different extreme radical far-left and extreme radical far-right political groups both foreign and domestic who would like nothing more than to destroy our Constitution and strip us of our 1st and 2nd Amendments.

Our 2nd Amendment is being challenged socially and politically because of the godless evil doers infringing on our rights and freedoms requiring political and judicial justice to stop our children from murdering our children.

Parents have become a Godless society of not being able to control or punish their children because of society's laws and rules. "Spare the rod and spoil the child" Who Said That? We have let society and social media take our children's minds and twist and warp and destroy good to practice pure evil, parents are not nurturing their children, parents are not teaching responsibility, respect, dignity, morals, manners, right from wrong or discipline or consequences. 95% of our children ages 12 to 25 and some even younger are murdering our children in schools on the streets and in our homes.

We have a Godless society with no end in sight. We seem to intervein either far too late or not at all, and then blame the GUN for what evil godless people do. People and society are to blame not a gun, magazine, ammo, gun maker, ammo maker, or gun store owner. It takes a human to put all of this together to prepare a gun to be fired, it takes an evil, warped, distrait brainwashed mind to murder innocent children who have done nothing to deserve such heinous evil torture and murder.

The gun is a tool to defend our family, protect our family, protect our property, protect our states and nation from invasion of intruders and enemies foreign and domestic, to provide food, meat, "game' for our table and to provide recreation, sport target shooting and hunting.

Society has lost it's compos and its morals. We let young children rule an adult world, we give them elaborate expensive phones, computers and evil killing games to play at very young age of 3, a full ride of the internet and the World Wide Web paying hundreds and thousands of dollars for these devices for our children to discover the evil ways of the world all to brainwash their innocent minds with evil and filth with no remorse. Where are the Parents?

We remove God and religion from their lives and from the schools, we provide audio and video and cult teachings of gender unsurety, sex changing, gender mutilation to our children as young as 4 and 5.

These are scary evil times we are in, we need our 2nd Amendment even more today than in the past 100 years. And yes there are some people "OUT THERE" that should never ever have a firearm within arms reach of one and never ever be able to poses a firearm.

Gun laws should be more strict on who can buy and own a firearm, a waiting period of at least 4 to 6 months, along with training classes of 20 hours of safe handling and use of firearms, firing range training and practice. Better background checks that require fingerprints and mug shots all at the buyers expense, also notarized 8 personal witnesses affidavit of applicants demeanor, attitude, mind and body, 4 must be close family members and 2 close friends and 2 close co workers, 1 family close member, 1 close friend and 1 close coworker must be present and identifiable upon purchase of firearm over gun store counter. A 12 day waiting period on Ammo for the caliber after possession of firearm, 2 of the witnesses must be present to purchase ammo. Age to poses any firearm and any ammo will be 21. Hunting ages of 12 to 21 must be accompanied by 3 adults over the age of 30. Here is a really good start for gun control. Education education education, needs to start at a young age with the safe handling of firearms, children are curious of everything and need educated about firearms the history the dangers and the need for firearms in our lives.

Our children are lost because of the lack of or no parenting and being left alone without God in their lives for far to long. God must be allowed to come back into our families, homes, schools, events, and churches the world has been without God for over 50 years. We must see our faults and we all must adjust our direction back into Gods Arms and the word of God.

Leona Weisenbach

Because of the religious right is why we have the second amendment....

It's not the gun it's the person. We have a society that have no manors....We have a society that are bullies ...We create mental illness in how we treat each other. Our society does not teach us how to handle pain...We blame and pray. Just my thoughts to all the comments.

Leona Weisenbach

We need guns because of the Christian church....

Ivan Thomson

How many people did the US, British, Australian and French governments kill in Iraq? I say take the guns away from those government and let their people be armed. It appears the people are safe enough but the governments are extremely dangerous.

Nicholas J Page

I agree with the Pope too many guns too many people being killed or injured.I don't think people should carry guns or store them It's like the President says and previous presidents about banning guns Nothing ever gets done.Because you don't have the balls to do anything and the recent shooting.The BBC Were told it was ages before the police moved in.Why not use SWAT They go in and get the job done

Thomas Robert Joseph Vanko

The problem is not the weapon, the fault is in ourselves. In a society the that has so many families with no father, prosecutors that won't support the law and the legal MURDER of unborn children, what did you all expect. There is no respect for LIFE nor respect for one another. What did you expect. You have brought this on yourselves, pray for forgiveness and hold fast to Gods laws, we're going to need it. Evil is loose on the Earth again and we need to decide what side we choose to be on. PRAY to GOD for guidence.

Thomas Robert Joseph Vanko

The problem is more endemic than we want to admit. We have always had weapons to harm one another, but now live in a country that has lost its way. The moral standard that has guided us these many years has been degraded. Families without fathers, laws without support of prosecutors and not the least the legal MURDER of unborn children have led to the inevitable decline of the soul of this country. It should not be difficult to look back and see where we went off track and took the wrong road. We are all in an apocalyptic fight for the soul of our country. We need to pray to GOD for guidance. This is not a fight for compromise. We need to stand up for what we believe. Evil is loose in the world again, and we need to identify it for what it is and pray to GOD.

All rivers flow to the same sea.

Gail A. Miller

I'm a non-practicing Catholic. I do not particularly care for this pope. He has fallen away from the doctrine and tenets of the Catholic Church.

Yes, he is right as far as we need to do something to curb gun violence. But the gun violence issue goes deeper than accessibility to weapons. It speaks to the moral fiber of society. We have shunned God, we have allowed a permissive culture to dictate to our impressionable youth what is valuable and what isn't. We tell them men can be women and can give birth. We tell them homosexuality is fine. We have an entire generation being raised by TV, Hollywood, electronic devices and online social media "influencers."

While the pope may advocate for gun control, he needs to focus more on his silence regarding abortion. That is THE number one killer of babies. He has allowed abortion to continue within the Catholic community because he won't call out those like Biden and Pelosi, who publicly claim to be good Catholics and then demand they receive Holy Communion while supporting and encouraging abortion. Shame on them, and shame on the pope.

Ivan Thomson

This will be a case that government and politicians will all have the guns, but you will not. How many people will you save? Maybe a few hundred a year, perhaps even a few thousand a year. At what cost? Will the politicians not use their armed services? Will wars stop? Will government not use weapons against people anymore?

Seems to me the people with guns are really a tiny small problem, while governments around the world are killing millions and millions.

If you want gun control then take the guns away from the real killers; governments. The people aren't that big of a problem it would seem.

Ivan Thomson

The largest tragedies on earth are at the hands of governments around the world killing millions and millions of people using far more dangerous and deadly weapons. Why must we do something about people owning weapons, whilst allowing governments to kill millions without a word? Especially, when it is so easy for government to kill people where they have no weapons to defend themselves.

The correct answer to this problem would be to ban government from owning weapons and allow the people to own weapons and allow people to defend themselves. Governments of the world have do the lion share of mass killing events by far and they love disarming people and even going so far as to make self defense illegal. Government hates competition when it comes to defense and killing.

Marius Gabriel Burja

Pope has no business in American politics. Him wanting to influence should make him an enemy of the USA.

MIKE

Evidently many people are blind to the fact that most of these mass shootings occur close to elections and in gun free zones. The Pope needs to concern himself with spiritual matters and not earthly politics. But the sun has been darkened, the moon turned blood red and the stars are falling from the sky.

David Price

I thought that the school's had gun control; none of the school's staff had guns. Those killing the unarmed ignored the law; because the shooter was lawless. What stopped this incident of lawlessness in Texas? A lawful man with a gun stopped it. Unfortunately, this brave individual had to travel to the school, as there was no one else on-site that would do what had to be done. If the law strips you of your ability for self-protection, then those that removed self-protection, have a moral responsibility of providing you with protection from the lawless.
The protection that would be provided has to be equivalent or superior to the protection they’ve mandated to be taken from you. This would require someone to be armed and on-site for a timely response. Waiting around for 5 minutes for the police (who may or may engage) is not effective or equivalent to being armed and trained yourself. Because you may not want to be armed and trained in firearms, should not mandate that those of us that are, to be stripped of our ability to do so. This is short sighted and ignores the reality of lawless individuals in our midst; doing so endangers lives.

Richard James Venerable

Hence the reason for separation of church and state. While government needs to exempt themselves from the workings of religion. The church should concentrate on saving souls and spreading Gods love. Not become an advocate for politicians.

Lorelei Reed

Guns don't kill, it is evil people who do. They do not obey anyones laws... Not man's or God's law, you can't stop evil people by controlling the good people's ability to protect themselves.

Lady Celynia

This is not about the guns. If it was not guns, it would be pipe bombs, or knives or some other weapon. This is a mental health issue that people refuse to address. Bullying in schools does not have to be a "normal" part of childhood. Bullying is should not be a normal part of anyone's life, either being the bully or being bullied. Mental health help is not for the weak. These things go one of two ways, either the victim is bullied so badly he/she commits suicide or he/she kills. Generally, it is the girls with the suicide and the boys with the killing. It can be prevented but gun control is not how to prevent these tragedies.

MIKE

Pope Francis is a communist!

HARVEY Bailey

If you trust the Government, turn in your guns ! If you believe the Government, turn in your gun! If you must be 21years old to get a rifle(long gun). ! Then you must be 21 years old to be in the service of the USA !

Daniel Joseph Morse

I call for wealth control in the catholic church. A $2M 18K gold box was stolen. What is the church, working to help the poor, doing with a gold box? Why does the church need to buy real estate as an investment. Because they have no intent of helping the poor. The catholic are liars like all other christ-mongers. Copeland wants money for ANOTHER jet. Being near people disturbs him.

I call for the church to quit covering up pedophiles. I call for the church to give up their pedophiles to civil authority.

I call for the church to quit lying like thieves caught in the night.

John Richard Cassell

There are plenty of gun laws on the books now, we don't need more. What we need is enforce the laws that are written. We can start with Hunter Biden, who was on a drug bender when he applied for a gun and lied saying he wasn't taking drugs. That is a federal crime, felony I believe, but they let that slip away. The laws don't apply to the elite I guess.

Michael Barton

He's just hurting his church. It's not the guns, it's the nut jobs.

Ronaldo

Unless there was a manufacturing fault, no firearm ever hurt anyone on its own. An overwhelming majority of legally-owned firearms in the United States have never been used in the commission of a crime. Statistics show that 85% of firearms used in crimes are not legally owned. Statistics also show that 60% of gun deaths in the US are suicides, but only 22% of suicides involved a firearm. The problem is not the guns, but the fact that Americans are no longer a People, but a diverse collection of groups that have trouble getting along. Most of these violence problems come from two generations, the Millennials and Generation Z, and we need to figure out why that is.

Scott Singley

If they can guarantee complete protection from tyranny and the safety of EVERYONE then okay but.... ;) Men are too corruptible and that would only last for so long. Our forefathers SAW THIS. The right to bare arms is for every individual to have the right to protect their own individual rights for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

LET'S BE HONEST... If teachers, principals, and schools had legal rights to keep arms for protection in school.... THIS WOULD STOP HAPPENING ;)

Jesus let his disciples BARE ARMS until it was his time ⏲️...

COURT ADJOURNED... PLAIN ENGLISH

Luke 22:35-38 KJV And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. [36] Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. [37] For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. [38] And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

William A Taylor

Cane killed Able with a rock!!! Let ban Rocks. Evil is Evil and the world has been full of evil from Abam and Eve . Humans are evil and there is nothing other Humans can do about it. It's all in the All Mighty Power not Human Power. And For Pope trying to be the All Mighty Power his just a Human also! Not the High and Mighty Power. The world will crumble one day and We all will be Judged by the High and Mighty Power. Live your day as if it was your Last day because it could be.

Kevin M. Erem

Simple answer, no he is not right.

Alfred F Tyszkiewicz

Before I left my house this morning I had a stern talk with my guns. I think they got the point.

Rev. Tim

Gun control won't happen in the US in the next decade unless Putin calls for it.

Shango MasterExorcist, D.D.

If the parents had borrowed the police anti-riot gear and guns, they could have reduced the disaster. The police could follow that example and do their job in the future, instead of waiting for the gunman to run out of bullets.

There has been an extreme amount of public brainwashing about being "safe" and the police waited till it was "safe" for them. They will have nightmares about their lack of courage for the rest of their lives.

Woke Francis thinks the gun did it. He needs an exorcism.

Krystina S.

These comments make me ashamed to be an American. Gun control measures are not against the damned 2nd Amendment.

Marius Gabriel Burja

As far as the Pope and the Russian Orthodox Kiril , I think they have joined hands and jumped in to the lake of fire.🖖🏻💖🇺🇸🤓💨

Marius Gabriel Burja

I think the Pope and Kiril should join hands and jump in a lake.

Reverend Kurt

Maybe a good place to start is to charge every politician or industry leader as an accessory to murder if they have accepted money or valuables from the Gun lobby/ industry? This may not be the answer but it does get past the talking and into action zone. Also a boon for the legal industry.

Reverend Kurt

What is it about the American psyche that drives them to murder young kids? America you need to take a long hard look at yourselves. Obviously there is something rotten in Eden. The rest of the world has guns too but the wholesale murder on your shores is unique to you. the rest of the world has the same stressors , like pollution, violent video games, religious conflicts, energy crisis, health and economic difficulties yet murder (kids especially)on your scale and is rare elsewhere. America says that God is on it's side and in God you trust. What is this god that allows the slaughter of kids? Does it deserve your trust? The Dalai Lama once said "if you think you cannot make a difference , try sleeping with a mosquito in you bedroom" America you are not powerless look at the problem and fix it. Every single American person is responsible . Be the mosquito

Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

The Pope, by continuing in his perceived role as the Christian God’s Representative on Earth, is responsible for most of the human misery on this Earth, due to overpopulation

The Pope should ask (tell) his Christian God, to change its mind — and make Planned Parenthood mandatory, for anyone wanting to be a parent.

Bishop Bill, Broken Arrow, OK.

John P Maher

MAY YOUR GOD BLESS and KEEP YOU WELL to HELP CHANGE the WORLD, MAYBE ??? * POPE FRANCIS !!!

Dr. Ronald J. Tuman

Stay in your lane, mental health is the real issue!

Rev. John Bolen

More gun laws isn't the answer . Criminals and others who wish to do evil things will not follow any new laws , just like they don't follow the ones we have now . Evil does not exist within a gun , it exists in the hearts and minds of people who pull the trigger for evil reasons . I think mental health is a big issue and our mental health system is not effective . In almost every shooting that has occurred in recent times , there were signs given early on , by the shooter , that should have been picked up on by the parents or friends . We all need to pay more attention

Susan Claire Schloeder

This world has gone batshit crazy. PEOPLE kill. They use bombs, cars, fire, as well as guns. If lawful citizens can't protect themselves, we will become victims. The bad guys dont abide by laws anyway. It's not hard to get a gun on the street. As for the Pope, I don't think I trust him. First time I've felt that way about a Pope. Way more political than holy. I just don't feel the love 🥰. Have a glorious day 🌞

Douglas Robert Spindler

US already has gun control laws.

Douglas Robert Spindler

With all of the shooting in schools we need to do something. The NRA wants to give all of the teachers guns as well as all of the students.

Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

The Pope, as the leading opponent of the use of birth control, is responsible for doing far more to undermine “peace on Earth” than any ridiculous GOP “guns for every nut” firearms policies.

When every new birth is restricted to those capable of adequately caring for a child, then there will be little need for the GOP to continue its gun-nuttiness.

Hopefully the Pope will get a directive from his Christian God, telling him to announce on June 11th, that using birth control is no longer a mortal sin.

Timothy Newell

It's a shame that incidents like this only perpetuate partisan politics and religious differences while innocent blood is spilt. If gun laws won't happen and the rights of gun-bearers matter more than protecting children and good teacher, than let's get this country back to exploring what a huge difference there would be implementing Jesus back into our schools, implementing the Word of God on police cars and on state building walls and plagues. I don't care what stereotype you want to choose for me. We need to start walking with the Lord.

CB

The Second Amendment did not come from Sinai; however, it is what protects the First Amendment.

kathleen kelley

tHOU SHALT NOT KILL.

Reverend Kurt

I find it utterly amazing that only America, alone in the whole world, has so much gun related murders. Why is that so? Are all or most American teenagers psychopaths? It appears to be so to us on the rest of the globe. What possible causes are there that singles out America to be the most murderous gun nation ? let's speculate. Could it be only gun control? Why do you need guns at all? Game is getting scarce worldwide, culling needs to be done scientifically by trained professional operators or special professional hunting farms that regulate usage. What about racial hostilities? Other countries have multi racial populations, and as a whole, they get along as one community/nation. Is it religion that divides the population between us and them?? All the major religions practice this dogma, so I would put it in the contender basket. But again why only is America the gun psychopathic capital? Is it the violent video games where the players are resurrected or the game is played back to before the character dies and another possibility is taken. Is it the American reliance on pharmaceutical drugs both legal and illegal? Asia has some of the slackest drug laws in regard to prescription drugs, yet they do not have a problem with guns. Is it politics?? A very definite contender. The old but true adage of "ye who pays the piper call the tune." I personally would charge any person who takes bribe money from the gun manufactures as accessories to murder. No matter of party or location. (take the bribe, pay the fine) Is it the chemicals in your environment? Chemtrails, GM foods, chemicals in foods and food production, chemicals in the water, including roundup in the artesian water table? Is it the healthcare system as a whole? Forced vaccinations (see virology 101). Who is the present healthcare system geared to serve?? Is it the culture that has muzzled true news services? News has degraded to propaganda from government and industry. Reporters are no longer out in the field seeing and asking questions.

Australia has had gun control since the Port Arthur massacre. Mr Bryant, the gunman now enjoys a cell with TV video and other modern conveniences, his victims are gone forever, We still have drug gang gun violence among themselves, but our kids are safe. We still go out hunting and indulge in gun activities within strict laws on obtaining, storage, transport and usage of guns. Indeed guns are an integral part of agriculture and agricultural pest management. Go figger is it the demise of

Thomas Edwin Peterson

There are laws on the books to punish evil doers. Removing firearms from law abiding people will only create victims. Pope Francis is wrong in his belief more laws will help.

Johnny Mac

What we need is to change HIPPA law to make it possible for Psychologists and Psychiatric’s, Guidance Councilors and Priest to be able to notify local police when someone they are treating says they are going to harm people!

They are the first line of defense, after all.

There I fixed it!

Praise GOD!, Amen

Rev Wayne Steven

Gun control, gun control is a great thing that's very much needed. There's only one problem but I think all of you will agree with is gun control only works if your law abiding if everybody would be law abiding you would not need gun control so my point is if you're not law abiding you're not going to go by rules and regulations if you want a gun you're going to get a gun to use. Now it might offense I don't know a gun I don't plan to own a gun so I'm not advocating guns no way no how but I'm just telling you as it really is if your lower body and you don't need gun control if you're a criminal it don't matter but if you want to shoot somebody who need a gun or want a gun you're going to get one that's just a fact of life. I'll go into my usual apologies and hope I don't offend anyone cuz that is not my need or wish I'm just pointing out facts of Life in this country. I think what we need all to look at are the ten commandments especially thou shalt not kill

Jason LaBarre

America has the right to bear arms. The guns are instruments, the people behind the trigger are the killers.
The hardest job is finding the person who will not use a gun properly. And then take it away from that person. This has been going on since Cane killed Able. What's to stop it now?!

Rev Mark D

Change because the pope asked for it is about as likely as change because the pope ask for priests in church officials to stop sexually abusing children.

Shirley Jean Davis

Prayer won't stop a person with an assault weapon. Unfortunately, as soon as the press loses interest the nation will also move on. I only hope that our Congress and Senate can stop selling their souls and enact some reforms.

MIKE

Illinois, New York and California have the strictest gun laws in the US and also the highest gun related crimes! So, all you socialist, what gives there? Most of you who spout this gun control BS don't have a clue what you are talking about. You want to live under socialist government, move to a socialist country. America needs to stay armed to protect One Nation Under God!

Nicholas J Page

Why do Americans carry guns the Right To bear Arms. What about those poor children and two teachers who died. Don't they have a Right to live safely and happily. There's too many but jobs out there Nothing ever gets done we will learn that's just it.No body ever does

MIKE

Pope Francis is a communist!!

Lionheart

Awe….that’s very nice isn’t it? He’s concerned about the safety of human life. Any comments from him recently about the safety, and sanctity of life of little children? Just asking for my little boy.

🦁❤️

Fernand Luc Bergeron

Here's an idea, metal detectors and dogs at all schools across America. Same as airports before these kids get the idea of bombing a school or two. They might even find the drug dealers at school ! Check ANYBODY that goes on to the school grounds !!!

Alexander Arends

You can eliminate access to weapons but you cannot eliminate evil or, as some put it politely, mental instability. Nor can you institutionalize all those in society that are viewed as a threat. Who own weapons besides collectors? Hunting enthusiasts and those wishing to protect themselves against crime. Some I believe fear occupation by foreign forces, and many more fear our own government. Yes this is a political issue, so let your voices be heard and hold those in power accountable. Be careful who you vote for.

Richard Darwin Richards

Facebook should be banned! Every horrendous crime starts with a facebook post!

Gerardo Salazar

The Right to Bear Arms is consecrated in the US Constitution and I won’t argue about it. But as much as the right exists there’s nothing that prohibits regulations as to what kind of weapons can be owned by civilians and if somebody really dreams about shooting big guns then he/she can join the Armed Forces. Is there anything that would limit the type and capacity? A handgun with no more than 7 rounds or a revolver with 6 will suffice to protect you and for hunting a 3-shot rifle is more than enough.

Stephanie A Willey

Any kind or amount of gun control ain't gonna happen for as long as the NRA owns all of the Republican Party and a good 20% of the Democratic Party. No amount of petitions, words, statements, statistics, thoughts or prayers will ever result in any level of gun control until the NRA is put down and prevented from owning any politician.

Keith Allen Steele Eash

It can't change because if you took every gun away then the crazed murderer just chooses to use an instrument of another kind. Common sense. Bring God back into society and do something about the individual when you see someone who shows signs of doing violence.

Richard David Atwood

The Pope is not an "elected by the people" gov official. He doesn't make laws for any country He should stay involved with religion and deal with those priests who abuse children, instead of just re-assigning them to a different church. Politics is not his job. All the news is about the Texas shooting. Why is it that NO ONE is talking about the Virginia shooting, 5/25/22. A man opened fire on an apartment building where a graduation/birthday party was happening. Lots of young people there. A woman, who was at the party, killed him with her legally concealed weapon. The " shooter" was the only one injured. Wonder why no one is talking about those children? Or the person who stopped a killer with a gun. Wonder what would have happened if one of the 2 teachers in that classroom had had a gun? Wonder what would have happened if the police had not waited for an hour before going into the school? Wonder what would happen if the government would stop attacking law abiding people and started prosecuting known criminals instead? Especially those known criminals in the governments. Why is it that the city's with the strictest gun laws have the highest number of shootings? Over 260 people, under 16, have been shot by gangs, thieves and other criminals in Chicago Illinois since Jan 1, 2022. Why is no one talking about those children? Why is no one crying for the thousands of children who will never take a breath because of planned parenthood? Funny how the people who tell you they have a right to kill an unborn baby, are the same people who are crying you have no right to protect yourself or your family from a criminal, because somebody committed a crime against children. The very people who want to kill unborn baby's, are the same people who are crying about baby's getting killed. Isn't that ironic?

taycomama

I've seen this dozens of times - a mass shooting, school or elsewhere, lots of outrage, lots of thoughts and prayers, blaming laws, politics, parents, anyone, suggestions for restrictions on guns, call for background checks, etc. etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseum. But nothing ever gets done and we just move on to the next big story. I wish this would change. I hope it will change. But if I had to bet money on it, I would just bet on more of the same. I hope this time I'm proved wrong.

Richard David Atwood

The Pope is not an "elected by the people" Gov. official. He don't make laws for America or any other country. All the news is about the Texas shooting. Funny how NO ONE is talking about the Virginia shooting last night, 5/25/22. A man opened fire on an apartment building where a graduation/birthday party was happening. A woman, who was at the party, shot the man and killed him. The "shooter" was the only one injured. Wonder what would have happened if one of the 2 teachers in that classroom had had a gun? Wonder what would have happened if the police had not waited outside for an hour before going into the school? Wonder what would happen if the government would stop punishing law abiding people and started prosecuting known criminals? Especially those known criminals in the Governments?

Eric James Hudnall

I'm tired of people asking where God was after these tragedies. I would think God is asking where we were. We're a lot closer to the situation and a whole lot less busier than He is.

Eric James Hudnall

The gun is just a tool. The kid could have just as easily walked into the school with a can of gasoline and set it on fire, or swung an ax around. The real question is what is it about our society that is leading people down this path. "Why" would anyone want to do anything like that.... answer that and we'll start answering many of these types of questions.

Rev. Dr. G. Waldron

Good, Holy Father!

Donald Richard Starns

One muzzle loader was good enough for the holy Founding Fathers. That was their (also holy) Original Intent. Ya hear me, ghost-Scalia, and disciples on the Supreme Court?