In response to Jim Twiddy’s column titled “WPS jumps the gun,” which ran on Aug. 18, that was biased and not well-thought-out before being constructed, there is another side to the story. But instead of being biased myself, I will choose to find a middle ground, because it is possible to be impartial in this time.
Unfortunately, we’ve witnessed numerous “mass shootings” in the past few years. The shooting at an Orlando nightclub and the attack on police officers in Dallas, Texas are just a few that have happened in 2016 alone.
Yet, evidently, before everyone gets to hear any of the mass shooting’s details, many social media users hop on to their chosen platform to discuss gun control. Whether they are for it or against it, everybody has their position to take on the issue. No one waits for the families of the victims to mourn. No one waits for the bodies to cool. There are immediate attacks from both sides.
On Aug. 13, it appeared the worst had happened here in Raleigh. When the reports of gunfire at Crabtree Valley Mall came out, everyone frantically waited to hear how awful the news would be. But, as Twiddy mentioned, no one was shot and no evidence to confirm shots were even fired appeared.
Yet, still, multiple NC State students took to Facebook to discuss gun control. It all started when Nick Perry took to Wolfpack Students, a popular Facebook group made up of many NC State students, to explain that he is a licensed concealed carry holder and how it was a “terrible” feeling knowing he can’t protect himself in a gun-free zone.
What did Mr. Perry receive, but argument upon argument from both sides discussing why he was either wrong or right. Then, taking matters into his own hands, Twiddy decided to write a column discussing how, “many Second Amendment champions put down their weapons and took to their keyboards to defend their rights.”
What your article fails to mention though, Mr. Twiddy, is both sides of the story. After every shooting that occurs, anti-gun advocates hop on social media just as fast as their pro-gun counterparts do. While Perry may have been too quick to make his post, he also has a right to post what he wants, as does everyone else. It doesn’t make it morally right, but he has this right.
It’s not difficult to look through the whole post, and Twiddy could have seen comment after comment of an anti-gun social media user arguing with a pro-gun social media user, and vice versa. It is on both sides, and it needs to be addressed on all angles.
Just a quick example: We all remember the San Bernadino shootings. The shooting likely happened around 11 a.m. At 12:26 p.m., Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted, “I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H.”
Likewise, the Paris attacks on Nov. 13 left over 100 people dead. Just shortly after all the horror ended, former Republican Congressman Newt Gingrich tweeted, “Imagine a theater with 10 or 15 citizens with concealed carry permits. We live in an age where evil men have to be killed by good people.”
You see, it isn’t just one side of people politicizing something that may or may not have happened too quickly. It’s both sides, and it needs to end no matter who it is.
There is no disrespect meant here, just reason. Twiddy, you mentioned that Second Amendment followers “jumped the gun.” But Second Amendment followers aren’t the only ones who do so in these situations. For example, whenever it appears a cop has acted out of his/her power, before the facts are even in, rioting and looting occur and people are quick to place blame.
By taking one side of the aisle, Mr. Twiddy, you have already politicized this into your gun control agenda.
For future reference for all, in North Carolina, a concealed carry permit only permits an individual to carry a handgun, not “usually handguns,” as was mentioned in the column. But I wouldn’t expect anything more from individuals who speak about guns but have never been around them.
