Kaiserboot
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I was 13. I wasn't there, but I remember it.
I remember my mom picking my brother and me up from mowing grass at my granparents' house, and hearing on the radio that there was a school shooting. I remember thinking that it was just some kid who found his dad's .38, and maybe shot some other kid after they got into an argument or something.
I remember watching the news footage when we got home. I remember how my stomach turned after seeing aerial footage of a cop pull a kid with a very bloody foot out of a second-story window and down on to the roof of an ambulance. I remember the bloody spot it left on the roof of the ambulance as he landed (safely, and alive, but scarred for life).
I remember how scared my mom was. I remember how panicked she looked, telling my brothers and me to stay inside while she went out to go do something (I can't remember what). I remember wondering why she was so scared (we lived in the Chicago suburbs), something that I would't understand until years later, now that I have kids of my own.
I remember thinking that there was no way something so horrible like that could ever happen again. I look back now, after so much time has passed, and it blows my mind to see how little real progress we have made as a culture and a nation, towards making sure things like this stop happening.
This is not a political post. This is not a post for or against gun control. This is a post about remembering human life that was taken much too soon. I cannot imagine how hard it must still be for the families of each one of the victims lost on that terrible day.
Rachel Scott (age 17)
"Don't let your character change color with your environment. Find out who you are and let it stay it's true color."
Daniel Rohrbough (age 15)
Columbine teacher and coach Dave Sanders
Kyle Velasquez (age 16)
Steve Curnow (age 14)
"My favorite place is the soccer field because I am feared as a player and respected as a ref. I take all my anxiety on the ball and the whistle, and it is good exercise."
Cassie Bernall (age 17)
When asked by one of the shooters if she believed in god, she said "yes". This served as the inspiration for the Flyleaf song, "Cassie" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Je3YUH5KBE)
EDIT: I realize now that the story about her saying "yes" may or may not be true. Either way, it still sucks.
Isaiah Shoels (age 18)
Matthew Kechter (age 16)
Lauren Townsend (age 18)
John Tomlin (age 16)
Kelly Fleming (age 16)
Daniel Mauser (age 15)
Corey DePooter (age 17)
Photos and quotes from: http://columbine.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Columbine_victims
Vertemasse
So much potential wasted. Control your guns, control the dead..
rufflePlayer
Traumatic :: for those left behind and those who experienced the crime ::: senseless and horrific
squirlfood
This was 6 years after guns were banned from schools in America. But I am sure that there is no relation.
1metalnation
My high school math teacher was there as a student when it happened. He did the homework for one of the shooters. He hated talking about it
julianfoool
My cousin went there. The day it happened she had a doctor's appointment and decided to just skip the whole day.
almightycrouton
DePooter
Mynameispuddintame
The braveness of cassie was because she had already seen Rachel shot after being asked the same question. So she knew what would happen
iLIEKbananas
Gun control, and put more money in early education etc... Goddammit schoolshooting sucks...
shesaidwellanyway
Cassie Bernal’s mom also wrote an incredible book about Cassie’s struggles through drugs and rebellion called “She Said Yes.” Heartbreaking.
Huor
I remember it well, it just seemed so impossible. Then came Chuck Heston and FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS. So sensitive and humane! Not.
TheMightyElk
I feel terrible because this happened but I was mercelously tormented by my peers because I fit the "profile" after the shooting.
bananasamarai
Seems like a good way to get shot...why would they antagonize you if they thought you had the potential?
TheMightyElk
No idea. It was before this was a common happening and they know I probably wouldn't so it was a free shot
bananasamarai
Well regardless, sorry you had to deal with fucks like that.
TheMightyElk
Eh. Life goes on. But i appreciate it greatly!
mikokpl
Forget the 4/20 posts. This is the kind of post that should be making front page around this date.
WiggleMyDick
Thank you @op
squintish
When Marilyn Manson was asked what he would say to the Columbine kids, he said "Not one single thing. I would listen to them."
103Brewer
I can't believe we still have to protest this shit!
FromMatterSpace
Considering people were being mass murdered over a thousand years ago, I'd imagine it won't stop anytime soon. So, Don't hold your breath.
squirlfood
I know. Together lets fight the gun free schoolzone act of 1990 that put the fish in a barrel.
espressoandpostrock
To be fair, it's not like people are "pro-school shootings". The issue is a bit more complex than that
BeingWhiteIsPrettyCool
Hey I know those black crosses, I grew up across the street from them. They took on a whole new significance after my school got shot up
BakaWakka
I know it's cynical, but I find it weird. Die in a group, remembered and memorialized. Die alone, and then soon forgotten.
Cereaza
How do you mean?
BakaWakka
For instance, a single murdered kid will not be regularly remembered or have a plaque dedicated to them.
WhySoSirius
That just depends on how someone dies. Individuals die in accidents and of sickness every day - that's life, and it is devastating to their-
WhySoSirius
loved ones,but it's normal.People who die saving others(eg Aitzaz Hassan)or whose death touch important issues(Trayvon Martin)are remembered
WhySoSirius
Those killed in groups are remembered b/c it's a shocking amount of violence, the magnitude of the accident is scary, or targeting children-
WhySoSirius
(rightly) scares everyone.
lidocaine85
Very good post. But the Cassie Bernall thing has since been called into question.
Sitavatis
it has in fact been proven wrong. it was made up by the evangelicals to run with their narrative. the real girl who said yes lived.
srslydude
Dude, enough. It wasn’t made up by “the evangelicals”, it was another student’s honest mistake. Chill the fuck out.
Spentendo64
it was Valeen Schnurr who was asked and apparently another student (Craig Scott) misattributed her voice to Cassie’s during his testimony
PorneliusHubart
Rachel's uncle came to my school in high school to try and dissuade other school shooters. His message came off really religious and one of>
PorneliusHubart
the goth kids at my school was accused of planning a school shooting and all the parents didn't send their kids the next day. we apparently>
PorneliusHubart
had police officers roaming the school even though the kid was just all talk. I guess it was the safe thing to do but I dunno.. singling>
PorneliusHubart
out a kid for being a little different is probably the opposite of what the victims would have wanted.
gabiinunderland
It sounds like they " singled him out " bc he was talking about shooting up the school? My dumb sis said she'd blow up the school and she1/2
PorneliusHubart
Hysteria. Their accusations probably made him consider it rather than just making a joke
PorneliusHubart
He made a joke about it and like a game a telephone it turned into that he was planning to
gabiinunderland
2/2 was suspended for a week. But hey ya she was singled out.
captainhappen
That's one more kid who'll never get to go to school. Never get to grow up. Never get to be cool. -Neil Young
BigBossTheMSFCommander
Personally, I like the Pearl Jam cover of that song.
tramadoc
That kid was thrown away into a garbage can by his addict mother.
captainhappen
she's put the kid away and she's gone to get a hit, she hates her life and what she's done to it
racerx0
keep on rocking in the free world
Sitavatis
that she said yes thing was a lie made up by the evangelicals. the real girl who said yes lived. but that didn't fly with the narrative.
jwhitScifiKing
Alright, take it easy. It was misreported and not corrected till much later. Think bashing people goes against the grain of this post.
Suravik
Wouldnt a survivor fit the barrative better though?
keenidiot
Martyrs are better than survivors.
nephi1ium
Lol- "a lie made up by the evangelicals".
TuityFrooty
The girl who said Yes, Valeen Schnurr, got shot and lived. In the aftermath, student Craig Scott told police he heard Cassie’s voice say it.
TuityFrooty
It wasn’t until later that police realized her body was not in the location where Scott heard the voice come from.
nekosupernova
It probably didn't help that Cassie's mother wrote a book about her called "She Said Yes" and later defended it as being accurate.
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
That's one of the biggest problems I have with news. Are we hearing unbiased facts, or are we hearing what they want us to hear?
NotTrynaBeMean
It doesn't matter. Collect information and be skeptical. What more is possible?
CyanideBreathMint
What they want us to hear.
lenorath
Source? For either honestly?
Thelandfill
Dot for this
Rwhejek
Read the columbine book, its very good and also states this
StrictlyBull
two countries with over twenty years of gun control will tell you how effective it's been but your gov still says "now's not the time"
FromMatterSpace
I support gun control reform. That being said, It will only lower the amount of mass shootings, not mass murders. Those will always exist.
squirlfood
I mean America never had this kind of thing happen. Then in 1990 the gun free school zone act pssed. That is when this becme normal.
FromMatterSpace
Mass murders have been happening for thousands and thousands of years. This is nothing new.
datphone777365
The lobbyist pulling the politicians strings*
StrictlyBull
The NRA pulling the lobbyists strings who pull the strings of politicians* i'd have said more but there's a character limit.
squirlfood
The nra is shit. The nga is a more intellectually honest gun rights organization.
protostar777
What about the countries with gun bans that have the highest murder rates in the world?
thegingerwhorubsicecreamonhisface
Controversial status or not, Jordan Peterson a really good synopses on shootings such as Columbine .
thegingerwhorubsicecreamonhisface
has*
CleverClint407
Because he says things people hate to hear about themselves
thegingerwhorubsicecreamonhisface
I just dont understand how so many can just hate this guy without entertaining how much he understands about human nature
imgurthrowaway5412
Dude's giving men a purpose in life, the loons can't have that, theyre actually *gasp* improving themselves instead of ruining others.
IfMandyPatakinWasAHorse
“further examinations of witness testimony revealed that Bernall was not asked anything before she was shot.” quit spreading misinformation
CrabJuantons
Yeah it was actually Valeen Schnur who was asked and promptly shot. She lived tho
tryingmybest1
Needs context. Reported that she was praying but she did not answer any question. www.truthorfiction.com/cassie/amp/
theycallmewillywonka
Sauce? I'm not googling your quote. You're the one trying to disprove OP so you may as well back it up.
IfMandyPatakinWasAHorse
read the book Columbine by Dave Cullen
Slasher2977
Or you could back up your statement with facts. As is Imgur etiquette.
IfMandyPatakinWasAHorse
i did. i cited the source.
BulkSausage
THAT'S what you took out of this??
RigoryMorty
I understand(from these comments) that this has been heavily used by some evangelicals to spread some christian agenda in the wake of this.
BulkSausage
Then comment on those comments, and not on the post that went out of it's way to not be divisive.
goldenchickenmaster
Honestly. It's a valid point, but that's really not the way to say it on a post of this nature
27yoUGLYvirgin
No. That's what he commented.
lidocaine85
Since people really died and weren’t canonized in a similar matter, it probably deserves to be pointed out.
Voidwitch8
Really fun to see all the Pro NRA comments on here
YourFriendlyNeighborhoodPervert
It's really fun to see all the libtards
datphone777365
snewsh
there are literally zero pro NRA comments.only 2 NRA comments at this moment and they are anti-NRA. pro gun =/= pro NRA
[deleted]
[deleted]
Slasher2977
Well the nazis were against religion, so are atheists. So they are the same thing. See how dumb your logic is now?
snewsh
vast vast majority of gun owners do not agree with many of the NRAs taking points.
ArchangelTitus
We've never had mass shootings, let alone school shootings in Ireland. I really cannot grasp how it must be there.
mwoodman
Yes and no. Yes, you have, but no, not since the 1990's. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_in_Ireland
ArchangelTitus
Not in Ireland, they happened in the UK. Read the locations.
mwoodman
Belfast is in Northern Ireland, so yeah, read the locations. For example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Graham_bookmakers%27_shooting
ArchangelTitus
I really do not think you understand the difference. Northern Ireland is like how north korea is to south korea. Theyre not the same country
mwoodman
Okay, I see our disconnect. No disrespect intended. My comment (and the first wiki link) was re: the island, not the Republic of Ireland.
BakaWakka
As an American, I feel the same. Never dealt with it where I am. They might as well be from another country.
Sheari
When I was young I lived and attended school in a neighborhood where bomb threats, evacuation drills and such were commonplace. When my 1/2
Sheari
family moved to a sleepy village it was quite the culture shock because suddenly none of my peers understood the culture I had come from 2/2
StaticNull
I was still in elementary school when this happened. I remember when we started having to do drills, all of us hiding out of sight (1
StaticNull
of the doors and windows with the lights turned off. It was surreal at first, but you got used to it. I went to another high school (2
StaticNull
in Colorado. We had a few police around at all times and no one dared talk about it. We didn't do drills anymore, but the school got (3
StaticNull
locked down a few times after armed robberies nearby. There was also someone who accidentally shot himself in the leg in our parking lot (4
StaticNull
but that was just carelessness, or so I heard. The idea that it could happen again never left our minds, but it didn't consume us. (5
FromMatterSpace
You have a significantly smaller population. Mass murders have been around for thousands of years. This is really nothing new.
ArchangelTitus
Well to be fair the EU in entirety has twice the number of people in the US and has a tiny % of mass shootings vs the US which had some
ArchangelTitus
yesterday lol
PandiesINTENSIFIES
EU has 183 million more, def not double. EU has acid attacks instead
ArchangelTitus
EUL 747.4mil US 325.7mil (twice that is 651.4mil)... also acid attacks are not as common as US mass shootings. Also false equivalency. ]
heyguysimtom
You just had the IRA and a religious war
jesusedgarhoover
Not a religious war, a political one, it's just that Catholic and Protestant are better media labels than loyalist and republican.
ArchangelTitus
Just had? That was decades ago. Religious war? You mean Northern Ireland, UK
IdleNarrator
Not in Ireland...
RigoryMorty
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, not Ireland.
SpartyCat
I've been so hyperaware to the point that even grocery shopping, i mentally have an escape plan
ArchangelTitus
I am so thankful for my life here, it is quiet. The most I have to fear is a knife to be fair.
SpartyCat
thats awesome. i think region has an impact too, like a small country town doesnt have to worry bc every1 knows every1
Stinkdog
I haven’t researched it enough but what about the IRA? Did they use guns or were they more prone to explosives? Honest question
ArchangelTitus
The was decades back. We have guns here but you need training and a license for them. Not many can be bothered.
FestusMA
He said he was from Ireland. Not Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK.
ArchangelTitus
She* but yes you are correct. I have it in my profile because so few seem to get it.
squirlfood
We had very few before 1990. Then again that was the year America banned guns in school.
sassybeckalicious
We lost a girl in our neighborhood to a shooting. Boy was upset with his teacher about a college referral. for some reason that single loss
sassybeckalicious
was harder to take. Maybe it's because she was a neighbor.
ArchangelTitus
Jesus that is insane, where you from?
sassybeckalicious
...denver. Well, metro south. http://www.westword.com/news/arapahoe-high-shooting-victim-claire-davis-dies-5836885
mynamesbryson
Doesn't happen in private schools, just saying...
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
Maybe it's just me, but I think the killers were victims of themselves. One was a ticking time bomb, another was very submissive. 1
SpartyCat
submissive happens bc adults keep telling them "just walk away" instead of teaching them to properly stand up for themselves
Cereaza
One might've been. The other was just a megalomaniac psychopath with a God complex. Hardly a victim.
Tabrias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NOFSOeOBsk
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
Manson made a better point in a later speech (had nothing to do with columbine) https://youtu.be/8RRC0Cvkr4M
MrBlueSkys
Damn...
cyanidkatharsis
Just saying, but if these kids would focus their energy on not bullying/stopping their classmates from bullying instead of killing the 2A...
DrScratchansniff
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2004/04/the_depressive_and_the_psychopath.html
keenidiot
If people stopped claiming these kids were bullied, maybe we'd get somewhere. They weren't.
DrScratchansniff
Wasn't bullying caused columbine. Mass shooters are often bullies, not bullied. Different dynamic than bringing gun to school as last resort
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
In our school, we were told that they were a keen to Nazis, and thats not fair. I wonder, had something diffrent had happened, or if 2
bexyrex
akin to* for future reference
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
Thanks.
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
Someone had noticed the signs, would that had stopped this senseless act of violence? Maybe the problem is how killers become celebrities.3
Attaroo
They were both sent to anger management after they stole computers from a van. They were let out early for good behavior.
Attaroo
They then wrote about how they would kill the cops and become god-like with their vengeance. Sometimes its the kids.
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
I can definately agree with that. Somebody definately should have seen red flags.
TheWonderfulWorldOfDickButt
I could be wrong though. To clarify, I'm not saying "respect the killers." I do understand if I am mistaken for that though. Fin.
garytufin
Never forget at election time to NOT vote for those who do not see gun laws change is required, or who have received money from NRA.
IshitOnWindshields
It not
Cryptic350
Prescription drugs, mental instability, and infatuation with military are the commonalities of these shootings. The guns were only the tools
GodEmperor0fMankind
Tabrias
I'm voting specifically FOR supporters of the 2A. Take your commie bullshit elsewhere.
topshelfassistant
You're perfect for a politician, using a tragedy for political goals
ImnotAllowedtoPostPublicly
stupidstray
This is literally the stupidest argument around, and Everytime I hear it I want to vomit and punch something. Sorry. But the idea that we--
stupidstray
Shouldn't use tragedies for political goals is beyond idiotic. Our political goals should always be about reacting to preventing tragedy. If
stupidstray
You disagree with the content of someone's argument, fine, debate them. But to imply that school shootings don't require some sort of
stupidstray
Political response is assinine, irresponsible, and downright dangerous. You should be ashamed for spreading it. I'm ready for my downvotes.
garytufin
I am not a politician. But those who do not see tragedy in the school shootings, should not be in political power responsible for our lives.
topshelfassistant
And gun control is not the answer, you take away a person hope for their own future and all bets are off
DoYouEvenLiftBrethren
And what of Steven Williford? This hero stopped a mass shooting WITH an AR15.
ImnotAllowedtoPostPublicly
Slammillionaire
Assuming that people who disagree with you do not see tragedy in school shootings is morally wrong and disgusting
CriManSquaFandCdoubletime
You just couldn't help yourself could you? Douche.
garytufin
Why douche? because I wished no harm? It is how people change after tragedies, and I wished him NO harm.
AnimalGenetaliaAudioClues
I’ve seen experienced FAR more tragedies where no gun was involved, your logic says we take away pencils, pairing knives, vehicles, alcohol
AnimalGenetaliaAudioClues
Towels, water, air, rocks, trees, etc. if it can cause harm it’s bad but god forbid we as humans use self control
AnimalGenetaliaAudioClues
It’s okay to feel hate and anger and rage but don’t act out those feelings. Taking away guns won’t stop a person from wanting to kill you.
garytufin
A car, a shove, a hammer..etc all have purposes but can be used to kill someone. A AR is made for ONE thing only. To kill. Nothing else.
DadJokesAreAlwaysFunny
ghostrobbie
Why do you single out the Armalite Rifle? Did you even know what AR means? Or did you assume "assault rifle" which falls under the 1/
FalafelOutTheWiseau
Self defense
AnimalGenetaliaAudioClues
All the handguns and shotguns my family own are for defense against intruders and self defense. They were bought with that in mind and the
ElysianLegion4
Na I'm voting pro gun
garytufin
It is your right to do so. I hope no similar tragedies befalls someone close to your heart.
ElysianLegion4
I was living near Columbine when it happened. Didn't change my mind.
garytufin
Some people are insensitive, there you go.
ElysianLegion4
Not really it was terrible and my heart goes out to all the people affected by it. But I'm still pro gun.
UnpopularOpinionPuffinPersonified
A society willing to trade a little freedom for a little security deserves neither and will lose both. - Ben Franklin
DiracsDelta
Well, since you decided to hijack this post for politics, I’ll simply note that this occurred while the assault weapons ban was in effect.
MrDrProfScientist
By underage buyers with illegal weapons in an illicit sale.
DiracsDelta
IIRC, only 1 of the firearms fell under “assault weapon” definition of the time. But yeah, you further my point. AW bans did nothing.
TheGhostofLionelHutz
Some nuance on the ban if interested https://www.bustle.com/p/was-there-assault-weapons-ban-during-columbine-the-law-had-some-issues-8849364
TheGhostofLionelHutz
Some more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/02/22/the-real-reason-congress-banned-assault-weapons-in-1994-and-why-it-worked/
MrDrProfScientist
Sawed off shotgun breaks NFA, the hi point carbine was AWB.
DiracsDelta
Ah, I was thinking of the high point. Forgot about the tec-9.
MrDrProfScientist
Just did a googlin’, Intratec DC-9 was too.
mike13815
Instead of changing the focus of society slightly more toward mental health - we instead just started expel students for gun shaped poptarts
owlsinacity
Or expel students who kept blogs researching the subject to prevent this shit from happening again. [Shit like that's why I got PTSD now :/]
mike13815
I am aware of the errors, i was at 0 free characters.
ISnoggedMadamedePompadour
I remember that everyone blamed marylin manson for the shooting and as a kid I couldn't associate the two and couldn't listen to him anymore
ISnoggedMadamedePompadour
Thanks to my overly religious parents saying that it's the music that caused it
Isthe4thtimethecharm
And one kid for pointing finger guns at a friend. I believe he was in the 4th grade.
sassybeckalicious
daughter brought a "bubble gun" for the summer fun day. It was taken from her.
squirlfood
In my highschool they banned trench coats and taking backpacks to class. This reduced gun vilonce from none to none. Super effective.
ButteryButtsButterflyCups
For real not having backpacks sucked. Carrying a stack of textbooks around all day was a pain
lysani
I remember when schools did that. It honestly wouldn't stop anything, since if someone was going to shoot up a school they'd do it anyways.
GiantRobotsRule
Mental health funding costs tax money, and reasonable gun control reform upsets the NRA, so we scapegoat the pop tarts and videogames.
LosPer
It is too often forgotten that the NRA represents people...who have a voice and a stake in the matter.
mike13815
Nothing has been done to remove mental health taboos in our culture (quite the opposite actually) yet we keep losing gun rights.
Shoutrr
mental status is a fickle thing: someone evaluated at one point in life can be healthy and suddenly go crazy for whatever reason.
imgurthrowaway5412
Because screeching about "sensible gun control" is a lot easier than asking why stuff's fucked up. It also gives them free brownie point
JamiesEPIRB
How come when a drunk driver kills someone it’s the drivers fault, when someone uses a gun while doing anything illegal it’s the guns fault?
PolyphaseAvatron
The feels get triggered and rationality flies out the window. Both require a human presence to kill, but one is scarier than the other.
JamiesEPIRB
I agree, cars are scarier than guns.
Shoutrr
nobody ever said that. because it's stupid.cars: tools to go from A to B. sometimes, yes, they are involved in death because of drunks /1
Shoutrr
stupidity. Guns: weapon. the only use of a gun is to maim or kill. controlling guns is controlling the killing they cause./2
Samael13
Why do we make people pass multiple safety tests to drive but not to get a gun? Why do we have to insured to drive but not to shoot?
Shoutrr
it's a fucking simple as that./3
JamiesEPIRB
preservation of life there are dozens of items that are used to kill far more people each year than guns. 3
JamiesEPIRB
many other lawful items that are used in unlawful acts. This is about control and ignorance, if people were concerned with2
JamiesEPIRB
More people are protected a year by guns than killed, their purpose is more than just slaughter machines. Guns are just tools, just like so1
Shoutrr
there is no, zero, nada, accurate stats on how many people are saved by firearms. simply because it's impossible to assess and it's very /1
Shoutrr
"but mental health check" "and "proper training" won't fly at all, because mental health vary (the famous surprise schizophrenia), and /5
Shoutrr
they have the means to do so because they are backed up. Money must flow, who care about the lives of innocent people if you made a buck/8
Shoutrr
between two people have more chance of ending in a death if one of them have a gun, simply because heat of the moment. The bullshit about /4
Shoutrr
subjective. on the other hand stats (official numbers) on gun usage in crime are readily available. For example the concealed carry shit/2
Shoutrr
he got an AR15. the NRA is doing everything it can to conceal gun crimes reports and is very good at playing the fear/hero string, and /7
Shoutrr
training..ahah, even cops or military can fuck up after years of use, so imagine a couch warrior with a delusion of grandeur because /6
Shoutrr
elsewhere./end
Shoutrr
by convincing a mother that she needed a gun to protect her family and one of her kids shot another with it. You want toys, it comes with /9