I’m not typically one who is lost for words but today I find myself struggling to find them. 24 hours have passed and yet I still can’t fully comprehend the horrific tragedy that occurred in Uvalde, Texas yesterday at 11:32am. You would think by now that I would have become desensitized to the news of another mass shooting in America. I mean yesterday was in fact the 213th mass shooting in the U.S. in 2022. Think about that number for a moment. 213 mass shootings in 21 weeks. That’s averaging 10 mass shootings a week, and we’re not even halfway through the calendar year yet.

I’m not quite certain as to which direction I want to take this week’s blog just yet. So please bear with me as I try to sort through my thoughts, express my feelings, and try my best to refrain from dispersing verbal diarrhea.

The Constitutional Carry

It’s only been a day since a gunman stormed the hallways of Robb Elementary School, barricaded himself inside a classroom, and took away the lives of 19 children and 2 adults within a matter of minutes. We still don’t know all the facts, and over the next few days I’m certain that more information will come to light. For now, the only facts that I’m deeply concerned with is how easy it is for an 18 year old to walk into a gun store and legally purchase a gun and how a state does NOT require a license to openly carry one in public.

Now, what do you know about the Constitutional Carry? Well to be honest, up until yesterday, I didn’t know much about it myself. But after doing a little research I found out that the Constitutional Carry means that a person aged 21 and over can carry a handgun without a license to carry permit. The gun can be concealed or “openly carry”, meaning it is visibly worn in a holster.

Want to know another fact that concerns me? The state of Texas is just one of 25 states in America that advocates Constitutional Carry.

I don’t want this blog to turn into a debate about Gun Laws. If you follow me or have read my blogs in the past that covered the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in Newtown Connecticut in 2012, the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival Shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, and the Stoneman Douglas Highschool Shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018, you know that my stance is clear and simple. I always have and always will support a National Handgun Ban. Civilians should NOT be allowed to own guns. I stand firm on this topic and will never be persuaded by others (including the NRA) to think otherwise.

Feelings

I will be the first to openly admit that I have trouble when it comes to expressing my feelings. I’ve never felt comfortable showcasing a vulnerable side in which I have tried so desperately to hide through muscles and occasional arrogance. And although this is something I have been working on personally, it’s not going to be an overnight fix. Like most of you, yesterday’s massacre has impacted me greatly on an emotional level. I can not even begin to imagine how much pain these parents who lost their 9 and 10 year old children must be feeling right now. At this point I feel that my thoughts and prayers are worthless. My condolences are empty. And my words have little to no value.

I will never understand the evil behind a person that can take away the life of another in such a brutish and inhuman manner. Especially when that other person is an innocent and helpless child.

U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell stated that he was “sickened” and “outraged” by the “senseless evil” that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas yesterday. He labeled the shooter as a “Deranged young man”. I watched his entire speech. And although it appeared heart felt, not once did I hear him even mention anything about gun legislation. It seems to me, that for the time being this U.S. Senator continues to remain noncommittal on gun control. And all I have to say is – “AMERICA, WAKE THE FUCK UP AND DO SOMETHING NOW!!!!!”.

Final Thoughts

At this moment I would be lying if I said I had any thoughts. I just have feelings. And those feelings are of anger for the innocent children and two adults who had their lives taken away from them far too early. Profound Sadness for the parents and family members who lost their loved ones in yesterday’s massacre at Robb Elementary School. Frustration towards a Nation that is so focused on correcting Global Issues, that they cannot even make time to correct their own. And finally hopelessness, just because the same action keeps getting repeated time and time again.

Yours Sincerely,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance