Survivor Goddard says this IS the time to talk about gun violence. At what point do we decide we don’t want to get shot up by crazies?
Parents and victims of VA Tech massacre maintain vigil
The parents and some victims of the VA Tech mass murder continue to press for tighter gun restrictions for those who shouldn’t have guns, like Cho. Colin Goddard who survived multiple gun shot wounds April 16, 2007 continues to push for comprehensive background checks for all those purchasing firearms.
According to wjla.com:
Tuesday marks the sixth anniversary of the shootings. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has named April 16 as the official day of remembrance.
At the stroke of midnight, a ceremony candle was lit and will remain lit for 24 hours.
At 9:43 Tuesday morning, a statewide moment of silence was observed followed by the reading of every victim’s name.
Virginia allows government to conceal concealed gun permits
Don’t tell anyone!
The Virginia General Assembly on Thursday passed legislation that would seal the records of all concealed handgun permits, handing a victory to gun owners who said the measure would ensure their privacy and perhaps their safety from criminals who might use such information to target them.
“We’ve been wanting this for years,” said Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. “It wasn’t as much about guns as it was about privacy.”
The bill – which began in the evenly divided Senate as a measure that would shield only the identities of permit holders who also had protective orders – was later amended in the GOP-led House to prohibit disclosure of information on anyone with a concealed handgun permit.
The House’s version carried by a 76 to 23 vote. On Thursday, the Senate passed the amended bill by a vote of 31 to 9. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
Giffords and Kelly launch initiative against gun violence
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly
Op-ed in Tuesday’s USA Today:
Our new campaign will launch a national dialogue and raise funds to counter influence of the gun lobby.
In response to a horrific series of shootings that has sown terror in our communities, victimized tens of thousands of Americans, and left one of its own bleeding and near death in a Tucson parking lot, Congress has done something quite extraordinary — nothing at all.
I was shot in the head while meeting with constituents two years ago today. Since then, my extensive rehabilitation has brought excitement and gratitude to our family. But time and time again, our joy has been diminished by new, all too familiar images of death on television: the breaking news alert, stunned witnesses blinking away tears over unspeakable carnage, another community in mourning. America has seen an astounding 11 mass shootings since a madman used a semiautomatic pistol with an extended ammunition clip to shoot me and kill six others. Gun violence kills more than 30,000 Americans annually.
This country is known for using its determination and ingenuity to solve problems, big and small. Wise policy has conquered disease, protected us from dangerous products and substances, and made transportation safer. But when it comes to protecting our communities from gun violence, we’re not even trying — and for the worst of reasons.
Gun show loop hole-caught in the act
Its pretty difficult to justify all what has been caught on camera. Its pretty embarrassing to see our governor making up excuses for private sales after first acting like he didn’t know it happened. The reporter is Jim Hoffer.
Why are there private sales going on? Why is this behavior allowed? This video was filmed a year and a half ago. Nothing has changed to shore up the loophole.
Why aren’t Virginians howling over being the illegal gun capital of the east coast? Probably because they do not know they are.
Gun Fight–HBO on Demand
Several months ago Moonhowlings featured a post on Colin Goddard, a film maker who survived the Va Tech Massacre. His documentary, Living for 32, has received nationally acclaimed accolades and has been shown at Sundance Film Festival. It was nominated for an Oscar. Goddard has traveled all over the United States talking with groups about sensible gun restrictions.
Tomorrow, April 16, marks the 4th anniversary date of that horrible day at Virginia Tech, when 32 students and faculty lost their lives because of a lone, crazed gunman. It marks the day that Colin Goddard was shot 4 times as he sat in his French class. This past week, HBO featured the documentary, Gun fight which includes footage from Colin Goddard’s documentary. Gun Fight examines the many sides of the right to bear arms as well as its restrictions.
According to the Washington Post:
After Goddard became outspoken about gun control, he was enlisted as the subject of a 40-minute documentary called “Living for 32,” about the 32 victims of Cho’s rampage. But at the time of the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007, accomplished documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple already was focusing on the issue of guns in America. Goddard is now at the center of that 90-minute film, “Gun Fight,” which premieres Wednesday night on HBO, three days before the fourth anniversary of the Tech shootings.
Gun Fight fight is available on-demand as of Thursday.
Living for 32 as a stand alone film is not yet available for individual purchase. Living for 32 can be seen April 19 in at UVA in Charlottesville at Newcombe Hall at 7 pm. The event requires an rsvp.
Goddard continues to fight for sensible gun regulations. He travels the nation with his film, Living for 32. He joined the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and coordinates efforts with that organization. He did return to Tech to get his degree. Follow Colin as he recounts his survival of a massacre, goes to gun shows to illustrate how laxgun laws are, and lives still with a bullet in him. And the debate rages on. There are no simple answers, regardless of our opinions or what we think we know.
Living for 32: Getting guns out of the hands of the mentally ill
Colin Goddard’s documentary, Living for 32, was shown Monday for a group of 100. At the end, he received a standing ovation. Goddard is one of 7 survivors out of a class of 17. We haven’t heard the last of this film or Goddard’s efforts to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill. He is a man on a mission.
The film heads to Sundance Film Festival this weekend.
We, as a society, are going to have to discuss some limits on guns. Everyone cannot have one. There are compelling reasons.
