Merciless killing at the hands of the gun — why do schools seem to be targeted? Why are innocent children victims of such heinous acts?

Gunman Chris Harper-Mercer opened fire on October 1 at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, killing eight students and a teacher before himself.  Nine other students were wounded.

The mass shooting stirred the nation once again, and makes us wonder why such horrendous actions even occur, time and again. Since the year began, there have been 294 mass shootings (defined as incidents where four or more people are killed or injured by firearms).

A holder of a firearm may be criminally insane unbeknownst to others. However, in the event of an act committed by that person using a firearm, the intention is revealed.

The list of killings by guns all stemmed from drugs, violent crimes and from school-related shooting by angry pupils.

The Obama Administration signed executive orders after the massacre in Newtown, Conn. in December 2012, to reduce gun deaths. They include:

• Making background checks universal
• Improving state reporting of criminals and the mentally ill
• Banning assault weapons
• Capping magazine clip capacity at 10 bullets
• Purging armour piercing bullets
• Funding police officers
• Strengthening gun tracking
• Encouraging mental health providers to get involved
• Promoting safe gun ownership
• Funding school counselling
• Encouraging safe, anti-bullying school environments
• Recognizing the mental health needs of low-income Americans

The trauma created by a shooter or shooters is one which affects their victims and the state alike. People no longer feel safe in their environment; they may stay indoors with fear of venturing outside. The memory is still sharp, the loss of a loved one is so pronounced that you are prevented from functioning as an active individual.

Parents can play their part in observing their children who are withdrawn or who are bullied. Those persons bottle their pains and lash out violently on innocent victims. There are many warning signs that can be observed by friends and family:

• Look out for someone who doesn’t make friends a lot
• Someone who is withdrawn
• Someone who has been deprived
• Someone one has been rejected
• Someone who is laughed at
• Someone who has been bullied frequently
• Someone who is treated with scorn and isolated

School counselors can play their part in working with those persons who display some or all of those attitudes. Counselors need to be more vigilant and listen to other pupils when there are complaints of someone displaying antisocial behavior or the like.

The gun is a weapon of destruction. Stricter laws should be implemented to prevent persons having guns. Each holder of a gun should have a mental permit to show that they are capable of handling issues and not using guns as a means to express themselves or to harm. Law enforcement officials should also go through a rigorous testing themselves to rid the force of trigger-happy members.

The right to bear arms does not give a person the right to bury or a license to kill. Too many weapons are getting in the hands of young people these days. These are youngsters who have issues, and who express themselves by the use of the weapons. A law needs to be enacted against youngsters bearing arms. Adults should see to it that this law is passed and enforced. Too much wanton killings are taking place, leaving innocent victims maimed, psychologically impaired, their families traumatized for life.

The President and Congress need to act now, before another innocent child’s blood is spilled recklessly by the gun.