Comic: Bermudez Shorts

American Roulette: Sending your kids to school

Posted May 25, 2022

Arnie Bermudez
TucsonSentinel.com

I dropped off my kid at his Tucson school with trepidation today, a day after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. I gave my boy a hug and kiss and watched as he walked inside.

I could not help but think, would he be “safe?” Would his school officials step in front of a gunman to protect him and his classmates? Could his school be next?

Then I thought, “Why am I even thinking about this stuff?” I should not have to think about this as I take my child to school. I shouldn’t have to ponder the sacrifices our teachers are willing to make. They already sacrifice enough. Now, I have to ask them to give up their lives? Why? Because a few gunophiles do not want to sacrifice their weapons? Why? Because we have a 2nd Amendment? We used to have an amendment that acknowledged our ability to own other human beings. The U.S. Constitution is a living document. We should be able to make adjustments — especially so we can have living citizens. So little kids can live.

For years the Republicans have been fighting gun control and the Democrats have been too cowardly to stop them. Even when they held majorities in the House and the Senate. Even when Democratic golden boy Barack Obama was in office.

But 19 elementary school kids? COME. THE. FUCK. ON! Do something!

If this walking sack of human waste had not been able to purchase semi-automatic rifles right as he turned 18 years old, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

We’ve been asking these same questions since Columbine. TWENTY-THREE YEARS AGO! In 23 years we’re supposed to believe nothing could have been done about mass shootings?

This psychopath was an 18-year-old high school dropout who worked at Wendy’s and lived with his grandparents and yet he could afford to legally purchase not one but two high-capacity rifles. They must be super cheap or incredibly accessible or both.

As Americans, we can barely afford gas, a home, or an education. Our educators barely make enough to get by, many of them not even that much. Teachers make a pittance in Arizona.

Yet high-capacity rifles and bullets to fill multiple magazines are affordable enough for teenage dropouts working fast-food gigs. Again, why? More importantly, when is it enough? Are our guns more important than our kids? Will it be my kid’s school next? Will it be yours?