CNBC
It’s another tragically sad week, inconceivable that things like this are becoming routine in our society.
It’s another news cycle that rips your heart out; leaves you feeling confused, angry, heartbroken and stunned, even though, after Sandy Hook, we thought it could and would never happen again.
But it has. Since then, more than 400 people have been shot in over 200 school shootings, reports the New York Times.
Yesterday, I interviewed Alan J. Lipman, Ph.D., J.D. who is the director of the Center for the Study of Violence in Washington, D.C., and an expert on the psychology of violence. He was gracious and generous with his thoughts and patiently explained what would drive a person to commit such a heinous act.
Someone with extreme depression. A sociopath, schizophrenic or psychopath. Someone who feels ostracized. These are the people behind the guns that destroy so many lives. Those traits, along with a triggering event, are what turn a person into a vicious murderer.
“But here’s the critical piece,” Dr. Lipman said. “These troubled personality types, in combination with the ready availability of semi-automatic weapons, is what makes these individuals so vulnerable to mass murder.”
You can read the rest of my article here
Lisa Froman says
Interesting read, Sheryl. When you look at those stats— the number of school shootings already this year— it is getting close to a shooting almost every other day ( or every 2.5 days).
Rob K says
You need to be 21 to buy booze in America, but you only have to be 18 to buy guns, as many as you want. How about starting there, raising the age of ability to buy them. ? That could garner support by a wider swath of gun folks, and done with less acrimony. Not that NRA would support, but maybe, just maybe a sane place to start
Keri says
Thanks so much for the blog article.Really thank you!