Why the Charleston Shooting should not have anything to do with enforcing Gun Control

On the 17th of June, tragedy hit Charleston, South Carolina. 21-year old anti-black Dylann Roof massacred 9 African American citizens in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a 199-year old church well known for its black history and its Civil Rights work. Roof was apprehended soon after the incident, after a failed attempt to flee across state borders, and was quickly identified as the main suspect. The shooting was quickly labelled a “hate-crime” and is currently being investigated on a federal level.

The harrowing attack has left many in mourning and has forced many to look into themselves re-examine the race relations that are present in this country. The incident prompted a response from President Obama who used this attack as a platform on which to discuss gun control issues, stating "this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries". Now in some way I can see Obama’s frustration. It is easy come to the conclusion that if you remove something that has been used to do something bad, you’re eradicating the problem. The reality is, however, much more complex. Advocating Gun Control with the Charleston Shooting is not only wrong, but is an affront to the victims as free citizens of this country. By taking guns from the people you’re doing nothing but removing one tool from the people, while completely overlooking the fact that the demon that caused the individual to want to use a gun to carry out atrocious act is still left alive and well. An individual who harbors hate for other individuals and feels the insatiable need to harm others will, without a doubt find a way to do so, even if they do not have access to guns. So am I saying that this attack would have happened even if we had strict Gun Control like they have in Europe? Yes – only the equipment with which the deed would have been carried out would have been different - but there is no doubt in my mind, that the hateful Roof would have found a way to kill African Americans with other means, whether it’s would have been with knifes, bombs or something similar. A person who breathes hatred for another racial group will not give up if he is denied Gun Ownership, he will only get strengthened in his hatred and find alternatives means to bring harm to Blacks. Infringing on the Second Amendment is not the answer. The real answer comes down to education, upbringing and mental health services in this country. A young man filled with hatred will do whatever he can to carry out his violence, even if he doesn’t possess a gun, so what we need to do is to get down the root of the problem. We need to raise our sons to accept their fellow man, no matter their color and have them understand that using violence to get a point across does not solve the problem, but only exacerbates it. The Second Amendment is a sacred pillar of American society and revoking is because some hate-filled young men who want to harm others at all costs, is misguided at best and stupid at its worst. The truth is, Gun Control won’t do anything to stop violent acts, it will only make another weapon the attackers’ weapon of choice. If you’re for the second amendment, consider SHARING this article on Facebook to spread the no-nonsense truth about the Charleston shooting in relation to Gun Control. / James Beckingdale, conservative writer