With yet another murder in the Brass City by gun-fire the question becomes when will it stop?

We use to fight to settle our disagreements. Black eyes, bloody noses, and ” we live to fight another day”. I know, That’s from ” Friday” and life ain’t a movie. Many of us live above the noise and dangers of inner city life. Some may even suggest that those of us in the inner city deserve whatever may happen to us. After all, if it is so bad. Move. That is a very small sighted way to look at it, but I do see your point. If you like it, I love it. Don’t complain and remain. Do something. However, what is a person suppose to do when there is nothing left to do?

That is the gasoline…

So we have a situation where you have people knowing they want to get out of a situation, but no matter what they try, they can not. That breeds hopelessness, apathy, and despair. The air is filled with the tension of what am I going to eat? Where am I going to sleep? I can’t find a job? My money is running out! My girl keeps….oh sorry. I ranted but you see how negative thoughts spread like a virus? Like a “Zombie Virus” that will bring back to life an old scar that you thought you healed, but the pain is still alive. Death and poverty all around. Drugs and destruction. Chaos everywhere. The air is filled with gas. The simplest spark. KABOOM!

“We didn’t start the fire“

I know. I am old. However, it is true. We don’t make the guns. Most of us do not even know a person who regularly has access to guns. With that being said, we have guns in our communities and they end up in the hands of people who need protection from other people who need protection from people who have guns. Let that “spell” that has been casted on the inner city sink in. This idea of protection used to mean physical. Yet, today it seems as if there are no more levels. People kill to protect their pride, their egos, the streets that they live on. People kill over words on Social Media. And with the squeeze 1st mentality of the day. The murder rate can be expected to rise if guns keep flooding our inner cities.

What is the way out?

For the City of Waterbury to truly become a safe place to live, work, and grow up in, there has to be a real conversation about the truth of the matter. Guns will always be in the hands of people in the inner cities. There has to be a push to address the mind states of these individuals who have guns. Kill or be Killed is law of the jungle. We are not predator animals who hunt down our prey and kill them. We have the ability to communicate and use words. Very few things called for death penalty. Very Few! Do not operate off of emotions. Think before you pull the trigger. And it is time for public officials to address this dangerous issue directly.

Share you ideas on how to curb gun violence in the Brass City