How in the heck does a 14-year-old kid get weapons like that? Did the parents never go into his room?

Thank God the kid who overheard the threat had the presence of mind to report it.

But the thing is, that this is the 11th school related shooting already this year. Since January 1, already 41 children under 11 and 181 12-17 y.o.s have died as the result of gun violence.

Since January 1 there have been 3,484 acts of gun violence and 972 people have died. Does anyone else think there is something very wrong going on these days?

School shootings have become the new “normal”. I worry for you.

Arcy, you are so much better at articulating (in a non offensive way) what is the obvious to me. Much of what you said about the family dynamics is what I was thinking. I believe that especially in violent situations, it’s time that parents were held more accountable. Maybe a long term prison sentence waiting for parents who just don’t care would be somewhat of an incentive to be more in tune. These kids are minors so ultimately, IMO, it’s the parent’s who are responsible for their actions and mental care. I realize that the problem is bigger than this one point will solve, but finding ways to stop this trend has to start somewhere. This goes for parents of kids who continuously bully as well.

I concur. I am also thinking of that Karen Klein bus bullying incident. The kids who did it showed no sense of empathy or compassion. And as far as I know they had parents who were working to given them on the surface a good life materially. Not stereotypical deadbeats. I do think kids are raising themselves. Both parents if they have two work for economic reasons. Neighbors don't know each other. Grandma is also working or living far away. The village it takes to raise a child had disintegrated. Overworked teachers can't supply the parenting these kids need.

This is why when my kids became teens, I made sure to work weekdays so I would be home in the evening and on weekends. Teens need you to be there for them more than a 4 year old does. Parents need to keep the communication open and they need to open their eyes when they see changes in their children. You can no longer have that "not my child" attitude.