Q. What’s the best way to memorialize a victim of deadly gun violence, and what’s the best way to raise money for orphans of a horrific murder-suicide involving a 9 mm handgun and a shotgun?
A. Why, get the whole gang together down at the gun store and shoot off a bunch of guns, of course!
Let’s not forget Meleanie Hain was shot and killed by her husband in an act of domestic violence.
Oh, did I mention October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?
Here’s the money quote from the column I linked to:
If you read the entries on the forum where Meleanie Hain was active, you’ll see that the “PA Patriots” refuse (or are unable… unwilling… or scared to…) acknowledge:
… the irony of holding a memorial shoot for the orphans of two shooting victims
… the irony of a mother being killed by that which she professed would keep her safe
… the fact that those who were afraid of the potential of gun violence were, in this case, correct
… that in a country where more than half of all marriages end in divorce, homes stocked with loaded weapons are a seriously hazardous to the health of the entire family.
What’s truly scary is that the PA gun-toting patriots have really learned nothing – and will learn nothing – from the death of their friend. They will simply demonize the distraught husband (“burn in hell” is their online refrain), feel like they are caring and compassionate by donating the hot dog and hamburger proceeds to the orphans, and then stock up on guns and ammo at Heberling’s Gun Shop to bring home to their happy households.
Until the next one qualifies for their very own memorial shoot.
Zach:
Thanks for the link. You definitely should revisit this post to read the comments. Quite an education.
http://www.bizzia.com/franchisepick/meleanie-hain-memorial-shoot/
Sean, I’ve been reading the comments thread since I posted this story, and it’s interesting, to say the least.
So if the guy used a hammer, we should ban hammers?
Why is this so hard to understand.
Amendment 2
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
The husband was a LEO and I’m assuming he used is duty gun to kill his wife. This really isn’t about the 2nd Amendment. It’s about the twisted way the victim’s friends have chosen to raise money for her kids given the circumstances. Hopefully her kids won’t be at this event. The kids are suffering enough already and the last thing they need to hear over and over again is the sounds of gun shots ringing in their ears.
One more thing about this story that bothers me…
The husband was a LEO…and he killed his wife. I can’t help but wonder if this was a sudden change in his personality or if he always had this violent side to him. I really wish LE agencies would screen/test/evaluate the people they hire better.
Yea I agree pretty sick actually.
I think the idea of a fundraiser for the victim’s kids is a great idea; I simply question how appropriate it is to hold a gun shoot fundraiser for the living victims of a homicide victim who died at the hands of an individual with a gun.