CO's kids have grown up in the shadow of Columbine - 25 years later, gun violence is the leading cause of death for American kids. I joined my colleagues to remember the lives lost that day & stand united in our commitment to freeing every child from the threat of gun violence.
@SenatorBennet @RepPettersen @RepDianaDeGette @SenatorHick @RepJasonCrow Car accidents are the highest but do mislead the age brackets!
@SenatorBennet @RepPettersen @RepDianaDeGette @SenatorHick @RepJasonCrow Don't see gun violence on any official records database as the top cause...
Darrell Scott, father of 2 victims of Columbine shootings: 5/27/99 addressing Colorado Committee: “Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men & women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, & the deaths of that heroic teacher & the other 11 children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. The 1st recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the Nat’l Club Assoc. The true killer was Cain, & the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA — bc I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. Men & women are 3-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, & spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a 3rd part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, & hatred to rush in & wreak havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred & violence. & when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs — politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric & Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing & restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart & a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God! As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library & saw his 2 friends murdered before his very eyes He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, & around the world, to realize that on 4/20/1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium w/ a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate w/Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!”
@SenatorBennet @RepPettersen @RepDianaDeGette @SenatorHick @RepJasonCrow No, accidents and suicide kill far more kids and teens than gun homicide.
@SenatorBennet @RepPettersen @RepDianaDeGette @SenatorHick @RepJasonCrow How many of those deaths are suicides due to drugs and social media? They never tell you that.
@SenatorBennet @RepPettersen @RepDianaDeGette @SenatorHick @RepJasonCrow "freeing every child from the threat of gun violence" Do you mean reduce the threat to zero?
@SenatorBennet @RepPettersen @RepDianaDeGette @SenatorHick @RepJasonCrow Seeking power and disarming the populace while standing on the graves of dead children. Disgraceful.