Today, June 25, is the birthday of Daniel Conner Mauser. He would be 41 today, but his parents lost him at 15 at Columbine High School. He was a shy, sensitive, thoughtful kid, volunteering on a regular basis, pursuing confirmation in his church, and expressing concern about social issues. Two weeks before his death, he initiated a conversation with his father about gun violence and the loopholes in the Brady Bill and Colorado’s gun laws. On April 20th of 1999, Daniel was shot and killed with a gun purchased through one of those loopholes.
Daniel enjoyed video games, pizza, The Simpsons and X-Files. Daniel challenged himself to reach beyond his comfort zones, joining the debate team despite a fear of public speaking, and joining the cross-country team despite a lack of natural athletic inclination. A straight-A sophomore who was still willing to hug his parents in public, Daniel was set to receive the annual award as the top science student in his class - his parents had been notified that the award was forthcoming, but Daniel never even got to officially celebrate the achievement.
The shooters acquired 3 of the 4 guns used in the Columbine Massacre from private sellers at a gun show. They were both 17 at the time, but after being turned away on their first attempt, they brought an 18-year-old female friend along. Although she was clearly not the buyer and did not handle the guns or ask questions, her presence allowed the sellers to put guns in the hands of two killers. The Columbine shooters killed 13 and injured 21 before taking their own lives.
#sensiblegunlaws
#HonorWithAction
#columbine
1 окт 2024
