Source
r/beyondthebump•
catchdog

These school shootings are really taking a toll on me metally.

Sad

Especially the most recent one in Texas. I literally cannot stop thinking about those poor babies and all of their mommas. It is tearing me down and I know it doesn't even come close to what those families are going through. I lost it when my boy squeezed me as I picked him up from daycare yesterday. Knowing that there are 19 mommas who will never get to hold their babies ever again. And for what!? Senseless violence against the most innocent. And will our government change anything to prevent this happening!? There have been 22 school shootings this year.... so far. That's it, I just needed to get it out. I live in a MAGA state so the ignorance to this pain is running rampant, they send thoughts and prayers though....smfh.

​

Edit: Is there anything I can do as a regular citizen to help make change happen? A petition or anything? Feeling helpless with all that's going on in the US right now.

Posted May 26, 2022, 2:44 PM UTC · edited

271134
Peregrinebullet•

I'm going to quote someone else (/u/horror-mouse726) who put it very very succinctly:

​

Educator here. Your helplessness is learned. Take a look at what alt right parents are doing. They show up at board meetings in groups and scream. They mob district meetings. They form groups and scream on social media. They shame and attack politicians that won’t make changes.

They VOTE and shame others into voting too. What makes ME angry is that I’ve seen this cycle over and over as a teacher. Shooting happens, parents like you (im also a parent) are enraged for a few days or weeks, and then they forget and life goes on as normal.

SHOW UP AND DEMAND CHANGE. Teachers have no power, but parents have tons. I want parents flooding my district board meetings in tshirts full of red paint bullet holes. I want every (Republican) that votes against gun laws to have their front lawn littered with tiny shoes.If a handful of angry Karens can convince half the country that CRT is evil, I’d like to think millions of parents (and other responsible citizens) can spend similar energy to not get our kids murdered.I hope I’m wrong, but I think in a week or two this will just be old news. The rage posts will be forgotten, and everyone will go back to Netflix and complaining about the weather.

I want to add my support and say that I worked in municipal politics and the conservative wingbats are always the ones who make time to show up and make a scene.

SHOW UP.

108
chailatte_gal•

Please repost this in 2 weeks. So we don’t forget

12
billionairespicerice•

Post this every two weeks until something changes.

3
apoletta•

I think gun laws here in Canada are more sound. Every handgun needs to have three locks on it. You have to take a course to get one. No automatics. Basically, guns are for rural game hunting and that’s it.

Push for it.

49
SinCityNinja•

Every handgun needs to have three locks on it

Curious, what do you mean by locks? Like locked in 3 separate gun safes or are you talking about safeties on the actual weapon? I don't know any of Canada's gun laws but that would be something I'd like to read up on

7
apoletta•

Trigger lock (lock 1) In a safe (lock 2) in a house with a locked door (lock 3). Then the bullets need to be stored elsewhere. We have a second safe with the ammo in a completely different part of the house. This is to avoid or at least deter thefts.

12
Dolmenoeffect•

I've often wondered this about guns, despite having grown up around them:

If you keep the ammo far separate from the guns and the guns are locked up (as they should be), what good is having a gun in a home invasion? Doesn't it take way too long to go get your gun and prep it for use vs. grabbing a kitchen knife or a golf club or whatever?

3
Pixielo•

The point of owning a gun for home defense is a pretty American idea. You can't even buy one in most countries if that's your stated purpose for buying one.

8
all_u_need_is_cheese•

Statistically a gun will do you no good in a home invasion anyway. It is more likely that the intruder disarms you and uses the gun against you than that you actually manage to take down an intruder. Your best bet is to hide and call the police.

5
apoletta•

The laws are different here. If I harm someone with a gun who breaks in I would be at fault. This is mostly due to most people breaking in would not have a gun anyway. We have a bat, sort of handy. However we live in a very very safe area. Even an unloaded gun would scare someone trying to break in.

I have NEVER met ANYONE who had an armed B&E. it just does not happen.

2
SinCityNinja•

Gotcha, thank you for the response. I own a few guns and each one is locked separately and then locked in my gun safe. Only thing I do differently is I store my ammo in that same gun safe, I've always figured that was the best spot for it. Locked up and locked away from anyone I don't want accessing it

2
flooferboo•

Maybe a trigger lock, a cable lock through the magazine chamber, and a safe?

4
SinCityNinja•

Yeah thats only other thing I could of. I tried Googling it but can't find anything regarding the 3 locks except a 3 pack of trigger locks

2
yunhosarang•

The husband of one of the teachers who was murdered died of a heart attack afterwards (due to grief, according to his family). Their 4 children have now lost both of their parents.

I am crying on my couch right now. I am gutted, and I'm not doing well mentally today.

I am so angry and so heartbroken.

44
mysterious00mermaid•

That is so sad. He literally died of a broken heart. Their poor family :(

10
TwoSouth3614•

I want to cry I wish I hadn't read your comment 😩

4
saddi444•

I can’t compute how horrific this is

4
MinimalistHomestead•

I am gutted by this, and cannot stop thinking about it. A lot of people assume anyone who owns guns is against fixing this issue. We are a family with guns, yet I am pro gun reform and believe regulations should be tighter and that there is no need for an average person to own an assault rifle.

This situation is out of control, and our society cannot continue to pretend it is going to change without action.

41
fgn15•

Shit, I’d happily give up our weapons with a smile on my face and peace in my heart if it meant another family didn’t have to bury their child.

My fear is that half the country is so far gone that they’ll happily bury children to keep their “rights.”

22
tomsprigs•

It’s a death cult . They are part of a death cult

13
CeeCeeSays•

Same. We have two guns (one shotgun, one hand gun). Would turn them over in a second if it meant there would never be another school shooting. We are also in a MAGA state and I am not sure how much longer I can stand to live here.

12
MinimalistHomestead•

I respect that fully. We live on a farm and raise our own meat, thus need access to appropriately process/protect. I know this is not the reality for most.

I agree that it has become politicized (like everything) and far too many people favor their "rights" over the greater good.

6
catchdogOP•

THIS!

4
Wave-ParticleDuality•

A pungent and succinct statement on a devastating topic. Well said.

2
SmallTownSaturday•

I'm in the same boat. I'm so sad and angry.

1
Whimsical-fox16•

I live in Australia and I cannot even imagine sending my kids to school with this as a possibility, it is heartbreaking. I’ve never been to America but the thought that almost anyone could have a gun on them is so off putting, it is something that would never even cross my mind here. Hope America can eventually do something to prevent these school shooting (and others) from happening.

31
whatsnewpussykat•

I’m Canadian but it always freaks me out when I’m in the States. Just a lingering knowledge that I’m at a higher risk just by virtue of traveling 100km south.

8
NoSoulGinger116•

As a fellow Aussie. It puts me off ever going there. At least until I'm old (50's.) So they have about less than 30 years to fix (blanket ban) their gun problems and their circulation.

But how many kids have to die before they fix it?

Ban abortion but once they've been born its free game. That makes me sick.

7
Pixielo•

Avoid red states. That's the takeaway. Feel free to visit the major cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Avoid Texas, Florida, and other parts of the deep south.

2
gseeks•

The only thing that made me feel better today was calling 2 of my senators on this website https://5calls.org/ and leaving a message. I plan to do it every day. Takes just a minute.

29
sleepylemontree•

Yes I used 5calls today as well. Made it easy to contact my representatives.

2
clem_kruczynsk•

I'm going to start doing this

1
billionairespicerice•

Nice! A lot of stuff also happens at the state level on gun control too … could make sense to call your state reps? You could even arrange a meeting with them (or your members of Congress). They generally all meet with constituents.

1
Splashingcolor•

What did you say? I'd like to do this, but I'm not sure how to express how I'm feeling about this in a productive way.

1
gseeks•

I literally just left a message with the suggested script from the website

1
churrochurro41235 | 💙 Nov’18 | 💙 Sep’20 | 💗Jan’22•

Right there with you. I live in Oklahoma and it’s fucking ridiculous here with the gun toting MAGA idiots. It all makes me sick.

25
nutmeggerking•

gun toting MAGA idiots. It all makes me sick.

When I hear Republican leaders talk about "mental health" I can't help but think about these morons who have made a con man and guns their entire identity

7
flo-bee•

Call your reps. Especially if you live in a red state/county. Calls and voting, and try to get others to do the same.

6
catchdogOP•

I found this page of petitions. Doesn't feel like much help but really lost on what else we as citizens can do to prevent more shootings.

​

https://sign.moveon.org/partnerships/parentstogether-action-1

3
Babybutt123•

Vote. Make sure you vote locally as well, research candidates and always at least vote blue. Until 3rd party is viable.

Scream at your representatives. Protest if possible. Help organize strikes.

Petitions unfortunately are not very effective for anything.

2
luckycuds•

Vote in every single election. Not just presidential elections.

23
ElderberryCrafty1956•

I’m a first time mom, just had my son 8 weeks ago, and am terrified to have to send him to school some day if changes aren’t made by our government. If officials want us to continue living and contributing to densely populated cities, they need to start prioritizing ours and our children’s lives because I’m about to nope the fuck out of here.

Why should I buy an expensive house in a good school district if I have to homeschool my children for their safety? Why should I pay exorbitant taxes to fund a police force that has no obligation to protect me or my children? It’s not even safe to go to the grocery store any more - might as well grow your own food. The convenience all of these businesses and corporations have given us is costing us our lives.

I’m seriously considering moving somewhere rural at this point to limit my family’s reliance on government and corporations. We have a serious mental health issue in this country perpetuated by greed, prioritizing profits above citizens lives leading to people continuing to be desperate enough to commit horrendous crimes like this.

20
chailatte_gal•

I get it. I do. But that’s the point right? What can w redo?

Unless we ALL stop paying taxes and we ALL walk out of work they aren’t going to care about 1 person.

And a majority of Americans support gun control and a majority support universal medical care and guess what we don’t have?! It doesn’t matter what we want.

8
billionairespicerice•

This is because our system is designed for minority rule, and our system is working.

The amount of credibility the government is losing, and the way it is destabilizing us, is wild. This article says is way better than I could: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/this-is-what-happens-when-you-live?s=r

3
ElderberryCrafty1956•

This is exactly how I’m feeling, beautifully written. Thank you for sharing as I struggled to put my feelings into words myself.

2
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
Get_off_critter•

Wanna make change? Participate in local town meetings, run for office, etc. Petitions will never be enough.

Don't ask for change, be the change

19
billionairespicerice•

Lobby your reps in person. Support striking teachers even when the issue I they are striking over is NOT gun control.

1
ifilovedyou•

Edit: Is there anything I can do as a regular citizen to help make change happen?

  1. are you registered to vote?
  2. have you voted in your primary yet?
  3. do you have a plan to vote in the midterms?
  4. have you called and emailed your local and state representatives to let them know how much gun reform means to you? have you looked up items on the ballot at the local, state, and federal level that you can throw your support behind?
  5. can you commit to getting 5 people in your area to do the above steps 1-4? it might involve transporting them and/or guiding them through the voting registration process.
  6. have you looked up pro gun reform protests in your area? can you attend one? can you bring friends?
  7. can you join one of the pro gun reform or anti gun violence groups with a small donation and/or by subscribing to their mailing lists?

i'm sure others have more thoughts but i would get started with this list.

18
catchdogOP•

Yes, thank you.

I am registered and have voted in the primary. Working to find out how to email representatives now. I don't have the means for donations rn but I will keep that in mind and hopefully I can in the near future. I seriously doubt I could get even 2 people in my area to do the same. I am literally the only non MAGA minded person that I know that lives near me... it is exhausting.

9
puns_within_puns•

Www.5calls.org

Put in your location, it'll provide you with contact info for your reps and a script of what to say according to what issue you select. Super easy and helpful.

6
ifilovedyou•

Yeah that sounds exhausting! Even 2 people is better than none tho!

Oh I also forgot phone banking. Even a half hour in your spare time could be really useful in getting out the vote!

5
flo-bee•

Call instead if you can. There is an app available on android and iOS (5 calls) that provides scripts and the phone numbers of your representatives. Calling is more effective than an email.

5
alaskafish96•

Call your senators.

I’m a teacher and I’m just so numb. This is the worst period of time. The media frenzy… then when it goes radio silent on most ends until the next one.

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billionairespicerice•

If all teachers everywhere were to go on strike until we had legislative reform, I’d contribute to your strike fund for as long as it took to get something through congress …

Teachers make the entire economy possible. I say, shut it down.

1
alaskafish96•

I completely agree with this but unfortunately those without unions would likely lose their sources of income. Of course, the teacher shortage would still make trouble for the districts. I’m sure legislation would just make it easier for people to become teachers to get bodies in the room while we strike.

1
billionairespicerice•

Ideally a strike would be set up with a strike fund to cover list wages. I would rather contribute to that than to a democratic congressional campaign, even a great candidate. They often get a ton of money and sometimes they use it in very strange ways

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
billionairespicerice•

Maybe Texas could just secede and take like some of the western and southeastern states w/them?… Lol

1
acostane•

Thank you for the moms demand action info. I have joined and downloaded the app as well. I just got done sobbing again watching a video of the mothers wailing and screaming to get into the building while police kept them away. All I can think of are the babies being alone in there without even their teacher. With the carnage. I cannot stop thinking about it. I want to take every memory of it away from them. I can't. It's so horrifying.

I really hate the shooter and everyone who enabled him from public office. He never should have had those guns. He never should have. And the police should have risked everything with those parents and gone to get those children sooner. What did that madman do to those children while locked in their room?

I have to take action over thinking about this. He was in there for so long. My God.

16
DeciduousMath12•

There are things you can do.
Vote every election. Vote for the primary, runoff, and every president, senator, and very importantly every state rep, state senator, city council representative.... Democrats LOVE to say "I voted this one time and nothing happened?!?!" - yeah. Because there are literally millions of gun loving people that are outvoting you and winning. Getting lazy about voting just put more supreme court seats in their pocket so that now, you can legally give a gun on Halloween (sarcasm).
Remember what's (probably) going to happen with Roe V. Wade. GOP has voted for FIFTY YEARS!!!! to change a policy they didn't like. We likewise need to vote, every election, every year to finally start to see change.

Two, go to protests. Go to townhalls. Send letters. Show up. Do you know what NRA does? They tell their members "Go to the city hall, at 3 pm this Tuesday, in room 215, so you can voice your support for gun rights at this committee hearing". It's exhausting to have to out organize that, but that's what they are doing and that's what everyone else needs to do more of to get the policy results we want.

Three - March for Our lives seems to be planning a mega protest June 11th.
Four - give cash. There are a lot of organizations and politicians, some better than others, that are fighting hard to change the status quo. Love what Beto is doing and more politicians need to do that.

Five - Confront family (if they're part of the problem). A lot of GOP are like... "not my problem. I have no kids but I have guns". Similar to a lot of other things... they don't know any people of color, any LGBTQ individuals, any trans... so they just demonize it in their head and dig in. The more they learn about other people and their lives, at least there's a chance to move someone's heart. Which leads to....

Six - If you have cable, ask them to unbundle Fox news and OAN, Newsmax, etc. The GOP has an extremely successful disinformation apparatus in their "news" channel. Here's how it works. Every single scandal that democrats commit, and usually don't commit, gets front page news. "They are attacking your culture!", "The left wants you angry, desperate, and confused". Then, every argument of the GOP gets priority. i.e. "[Insert GOP politician] Blasts O'Rourke after press conference disruption". When that's literally all you see, you can imagine how some just vote R all of the time. Whenever possible, we should convince people to change the channel.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/apr/11/fox-news-viewers-watch-cnn-study

We can despair. Or we can get to work.

16
AbiWater•

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely agree political engagement is the least people can do. But this issue can’t wait another 50 years. Children are dying. We’ve had 200+ mass shooting since the start of this year. We need reform now. I think for protests to really have much impact, they would have to be sustained every day and disrupt the public in some way. Or violence would have to occur. I’m not condoning it but it’s been a huge factor historically.

Letters get thrown in the trash, phone calls get ignored. The NRA has major political influence through millions given to politicians. Not so much town halls.

The problem with the Democratic Party is the “big tent.” Moderate democrats and independents tend to avoid progressive candidates. That’s why Joe Biden is president and not Bernie Sanders. “Socialism is scary.” Their votes are absolutely crucial to overcome the voter suppression hurdles that have been instated. Unlike Republicans, democrats typically aren’t single issue voters. Some won’t hold their nose and vote for a candidate who has flaws or doesn’t completely match their political ideology like the republicans do.

That said, I’m not discouraging civic engagement at all. It is absolutely essential. However, these are the major hurdles the people face in a system that is strategically designed to mute their voices.

9
DeciduousMath12•

Totally. I'm sure if you or I were dictator of the US, we'd fix this today. In fact, we'd fix this decades ago. The system right now is super lopsided with many advantages given to Republicans and a media that loves to "both sides" everything. In the meantime, there's things we can do.

3
AbiWater•

The Mulford Act was passed immediately when the Black Panthers marched to the CA state capitol armed.

5
chicknnugget12•

Now this is just my opinion and it's an unpopular one. It seems as though most democrats, and most people concerned with school shootings are women. It tends to be the more empathetic of us as well. What comes with empathy? Sensitivity and disdain for aggression and violence. We always tend to be the ones who would rather compromise, cooperate and work through things together. Even if we force ourselves to be aggressive, even violent (a monumental task in itself) do you think we are a match for those whom violence and aggression are their bread and butter? Just not sure how this story ends.

And yes biologically mothers become more aggressive luckily in defense of their children. I certainly am.

5
Lopedawg•

I am Canadian but I have been just as sickened and furious as my American neighbours.

Mothers Demand Action is doing good work on this!

Text “ready” to 64433

Not just for moms but anyone who wants to turn their horror and anger into action!

14
sbreezy417•

Right here with you, mama. You’re not alone - I keep intermittently crying and am absolutely regressing in my PPD/PPA because of this. Get busy if you can to deal with the mental toll: get outside, move your body. It’s so nice to see this post and feel like someone is feeling the exact same things I am. I am hoping so hard that the tides finally turn here and will be doing everything in my power to participate in taking action. If you text “act” to 64433 you can join everytown and get updates for any protests, elections, meetings in your area.

https://www.everytown.org/actions/

13
catchdogOP•

Thanks so much, I feel so alone since no one around me seems to give a shit if it means changes in gun laws. Texting now. Sending love to you hope you can keep a handle on your mental too.

6
stepharana•

I’m with you. Also happy to know I am not alone in feeling all of these things.

2
EBid86•

I found the local chapters for Mom's Demand Action and plan to attend a meeting in my state in June. Also in a red state here

4
catchdogOP•

I'm super nervous about this because it will definantly cause an uproar with every singe member of my family included my husband. I will be outcast in real life but I already am in my heart and im so sick of the bull shit and sick of being scared for my baby.

7
Apprehensive_Berry79•

Hey! You’re not the only one. My husband and I think the same things, but my father is a NRA supporter and loves his guns. Lately I’ve had the strength to speak out more because of my daughter. I keep saying it but it boggles my mind so many people will put their guns because their children.

5
EBid86•

My husband is pretty conservative but when I mentioned this he said he would like to attend with me, if dads are allowed 😀. We have a 1st grader and preschooler. We know something needs to be done

4
SunshineAndSquats•

Hey I’m really proud of you. It’s really hard to be the black sheep and stand up for what you know to be right when your entire family isn’t going to like it. I’ve been in the same situation myself.

3
TriscuitCracker•

I went to my 4 year old’s pre-school graduation this morning. Every single parent there and the teachers were happy to be there but myself and numerous others all said in the back of our minds we feel sad, angry and even guilty that we are able to do this and all those parents who’s kids have died in school shootings can’t and they’ll never be the same.

13
YourEngineerMom•

You can text “ACT” to 64433 to get info on actions you can take regarding gun safety. I just texted the number the other day after seeing it on a Reddit post.

If you don’t want to text some random number, here’s the first link the automated messages sent me: https://www.everytown.org/actions/?source=tmno_JOIN_optin_20220225&refcode=tmno_JOIN_optin_20220225&utm_source=tmno_JOIN_optin_20220225&utm_medium=o&utm_campaign=JOIN_optin_20220225

12
Qualityhams•

Http://everytown.org

12
flooferboo•

Moms Demand Action are part of Everytown and have a lot of virtual events!

5
Qualityhams•

Thank you

1
SunshineAndSquats•

I have been worthless the last two days. I can’t work or study. I can’t stop thinking about those children filled with terror in the last moments of their short lives. I feel like I owe it to them to burn this feeling into my memory. Like every American owes it to them to feel the intensity of this horror that happened in our country so we will fight to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We need to cry but then we need to get really really angry and make sure or politicians know how angry we are.

11