IZZIE WEBB
Hoax calling campus shootings is becoming a common practice, and it is nothing short of dumbfounding.
We just started the semester, let us at least settle into our seats before the death threats start filing in.
That’s what it feels like, anyway. A recent AP News story covering the influx of hoax calls put it quite plainly.
Students are scared and we have no idea of how to protect them. So, we must sit and wait.
And then it actually happens. Annunciation Catholic Church loses innocent children amid the flood of hoax calls on Aug. 27, and we are expected to accept that one phone call could mean a cruel joke, or someone will die that day.
The result is that no one is shocked anymore. We are already desensitized.
People often talk about younger generations and their lack of human connection and empathy. But, those same people fail to recognize children are surrounded by violence starting in kindergarten.
They are five to six years old and being introduced to the concept that at any time of their school day their survival skills are going to be provoked.
The solution must take guns out of the hands of people who have no business with them in the first place. If we don’t, we are going to lose the meaning of freedom in America.
A Texas Tribune story explained that a recently deleted YouTube video assumed to be initially posted by Minneapolis gunman Robin Westman filmed a collection of weapons, expressing support in Brandon Herrera, the YouTube “AK Guy.” He will be going for a second attempt at running for Texas’ 23rd Congressional seat in 2026, and the only reason he’s not in that seat currently is because of one missing vote.
Herrera is an open supporter of gun rights and specifically training teachers on firearm use, “ensuring our children are better protected,” as is said in his Congressional seat campaign page.
The fact that this is happening in high schools must mean we are in some messed up episode of “The Twilight Zone.”
Was that the best solution that those in charge could come up with? Adding gasoline to a bonfire issue?
It’s as close to Tarrant County as Keller High School, which has had the “Guardian Program” for arming teachers since it’s approval in 2022.
You see, regulating guns doesn’t steal your rights. It gives you, your family and friends the opportunity to exercise the rest of every other right you have in a much longer lifespan.
Here is what is happening because the issue at root is not being addressed: desensitized children are growing up to accept the outcome. No one is shocked, parents lose their children and news organizations will be pulling themselves every which way trying to cover the national issue. But it will be another day.
This is not politics. Does that have to be said? This is quality of life. To some threatened by the idea of doing more to mitigate the issue, apparently it does have to be said.
Students, K-12 and college alike are facing the same issue.
Consider the fact that since the first instance of school terrorism because of unregulated weapon use has created an entire generation of people who will not have at least experienced a threat, or God forbid actual emergency just sitting in class.
While evacuation drills are taking place on TCC campuses, we can only hope the administration is thinking about what is happening around the country right now.
To put it into perspective, that’s more than nine hoax calls since Monday, Aug. 25.
Unfortunately, this happens every year. It’s just another day to practice an emergency drill.
A majority of the Collegian’s staff have their own story. We are lucky in that there is a variety of ages among us, so our experiences spread across years of education levels.
If just a room of college newspaper staff can erupt in stories about their experiences, imagine an entire campus. Imagine six.
In almost 50,000 students, just try picturing how many also have a story to tell at TCC.
It’s time to get a grip and not the kind holding onto the hilt of the gun they so avidly prefer over the safety of human lives.