Cal Thomas: For the children

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MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Thursday, September 4th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Myrna Brown.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Finally today, WORLD commentator Cal Thomas reflects on the lessons from last week’s violence in Minneapolis.

CAL THOMAS: Leave it to a politician to take advantage of a tragedy and attempt to use it for political advantage.

Following the horrific shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis that killed two children and wounded 18 others, Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey said this of the self-proclaimed transgender woman:

FREY: Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity.

It was a shocking comment as parents and others mourn the dead and injured.

The mayor said nothing specific about the shooter's YouTube postings that contained hatred for Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, Catholics and President Trump. The shooter didn't discriminate when it came to bigotry.

I will not use the shooter’s name. But The Washington Times described him this way…he “scoffed at religion, idolized the nation's most notorious mass shooters and fantasized about carrying out a public massacre where children would be at their most vulnerable.”

In a hand-written journal posted online before the shootings, the killer admitted he “was tired of being trans.” The New York Post reported that he wished he “never brain-washed himself.” I wonder what Mayor Frey thinks of that?

Sadly, a new school year encourages some people with twisted and evil minds to act out their fantasies and bemoan their station in life by killing the innocent. As with prior incidents something more can be done to safeguard against future repetitions.

I am a supporter of the Second Amendment, but with a caveat. No one should be allowed to buy a semi-automatic rifle as the one used in Minneapolis without a long waiting period and a complete mental health and background check, including interviews with parents, relatives and friends. The shooter clearly displayed abnormal behavior. His mother allowed him to legally change his name from male to female and his gender identification. She has reportedly hired a criminal defense attorney.

The killer had two other weapons, all reportedly bought legally. If purchased as a minor, a parent likely would have had to sign off on it. Where were the guns kept? If they were not secured, along with ammunition, who is at fault? There are people, including possibly his parents, who witnessed erratic and hateful behavior. Did they report it? If not, why not? If they did and nothing was done, again why?

ABC News reports that Minnesota has had a red flag law since last year, which would have allowed a judge to remove the shooter’s weapons—if a parent or police officer had filed a petition and demonstrated he was a risk to others or himself. Why wasn't it invoked and who is responsible for not invoking it?

Other than making weapons designed to kill humans less easily available, an investment is going to have to be made in greater security. This may include increased police presence or security guards inside and outside schools. It might also include blocking road entrances onto school property with an armed security guard checking everyone seeking admission. Identification badges might also help.

Hotels in some Middle East countries where I've stayed do some of this and it has virtually eliminated terrorism and other violent acts. Yes, it would cost money and delays, but how much is a child's life—or any life worth? If it also serves as a deterrent to the sick of mind who search for soft targets, so much the better.

It's a safe prediction we will see additional incidents this school year if more, a lot more, isn’t done. The victims of this shooting deserve it. So do their parents. So do the rest of us.

I’m Cal Thomas.

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