Comments on: Gun violence took my son...

By: Brian S

Brian S — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:04:47 +0000

Mr. & Mrs. Holt, I am truely sorry for your loss. This is senseless voilence. I am retired military and I have had access to guns in my military service. I am not a gun owner as a civilian. These laws would not affect me as I do not plan on purchasing a firearm but I don't think legislation will prevent the type of violence that killed youre son. We as a society need to teach our offspring the moral values that I joined the military to protect. And you, Mr Holt joined the police force to protect for the people of your city. The law abiding citizens that would follow those rules (legislation) are not the ones killing people. Even if they registered their gun and it gets stolen, the person commiting the crime does not care because they have no moral value, so now the one who follows the rules is the criminal because their registerd gun was used in a criminal act. Lets work on what is right and wrong and teach our children and their parents that there are consequences for the actions we take. Give back the rights to the parents to instill the values needed in their children.

By: Lokesh

Lokesh — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:54:18 +0000

Those who subscribe to the belief that "guns don't kill people, people kill people" use a limited logic . Guns are designed and sold for very limited purposes... maybe target practice is one purpose, but their primary purpose is killing. Hand guns in particular make killing in large scale much , much easier and difficulty to defend against.
How many innocent men, women, and children have to be senselessly murdered before the American population starts to distinguish between the destructive capability of hand guns and assault weapons and the benefits of "the right to bear arms"?
Can anyone give me a plausible justification as to why gun manufacturers are allowed to sell hand guns and automatic or semi-automatic assault weapons to the civilian population?

By: David

David — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:05:19 +0000

It's sad what happened to Blair Holt, but blaming the gun and passing some silly registration law would do absolutely nothing to stop crimes such as this. How ironic is it that a bill named the "Blair Holt Licensing and Record Acto of 2009" would have had ZERO chance of preventing the type of senseless murder that took place here. Gang bangers don't buy their guns legally. We already have thousands of gun laws that only apply to honest law-abiding citizens. That punk would not have been able to buy this gun legally if he tried, even our existing laws would have prevented the purchase. Unfortunately when they buy guns on the street nobody enforces any laws – money is all that is required.

By: Kristopher

Kristopher — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:56:29 +0000

illigal Guns are like drugs, no mater how tough the laws and rules they will always be used by idiots. But I suport my right to defend myself with a lethal wepon. I love guns. I am responsible with them. I keep them locked in a safe. More gun laws keep responsibal people like myself from blowing up a home invader with my ak-47. Swiss cheese. I wonder how the president would like for his secret service men to have sling shots instead of guns.

By: Blairs mom

Blairs mom — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:34:51 +0000

My son was a good kid. He was on his way home from schoo; on the bus. He had plans and dreams. He worked in his grandparents store everyday after school and on weekends. So Sami K how dare you question what my sons intentions were, when he lost his life to save another. Blair is a hero. And besides no child or person should be a victim of gun violence. You never know who your angel is..........

By: Sami K

Sami K — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:46:26 +0000

Okay, I know I am going to sound heartless but lets ask the question of where was this kid to put him in such a situation as to jump in front of a gun to save a friend? Was he hanging with violent people in a bad part of town? I know good kids get caught in bad situations because they live in voilent areas. So why was he out there? I have no problem with laws to register and track gun ownership but that does not help solve the problems of gang infested and violent areas. Violent youths is the big problem!! My heart does go out to the family. I am a parent and I can not begin to know the depth of pain you must feel. Good luck on your persuit to make this a safer country.

By: Me

Me — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:20:51 +0000

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH IT'S SO FRUSTRATING. Reading all these comments just brings to light how many kids die, and how many people lose. Children and friends, it seems as though everyone has lost someone. These people are KIDS, why would you kill a kid. What's wrong is no one takes responsibility for there kids and they end up growing up in loveless homes or foster care. They make there own family in the form of gangs and kill kids like Blair or Lawrence who had families and a future and life. ITS NOT FAIR. The injustice of the world sucks.
(sorry just needed to get that out)

By: Kathryn K Bussler

Kathryn K Bussler — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:31:04 +0000

Mr Holt, I cannot imagine the pain your family has gone through as I haven't lost a child myself.
What your son did was a very brave and selfless thing and it is obvious he had a lot to give – it's horrible that his life was stolen away before he could have done more good.
I think registering firearms is a good idea. I don't think it's enough. As long as we live in a world where people justify killing other people using any excuse -valid or not – this type of tragedy is never going to go away.
The world needs more people like you and your family – and especially people like your son. I am grateful that he did have the chance to inspire people to peace in the short time he had on this planet. He accomplished more than many ever will in their lifetime.

By: Bette Clark

Bette Clark — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:28:09 +0000

Dear Mr. Holt,
My heart goes out to you and your family. My son was 15 y/o and shot point blank to the back of his head, also last year in July 2007, he was also a wonderful young man, with so much potential. Here in Phila. we see the same kind of violence happening almost every single day that someone dies because of a shooting. I too hope we find something, somewhere that stops this kind of violence from continuing. Our children are dying, no one deserves to die this way, no one! I applaud you for working so hard and trying to find ways to stop this in your son's memory, it is something I also find myself trying to do in my son's memory. I am so sorrow for your loss, and know whole heartedly the pain you and your family are going thru. No parent should go thru seeing their babies die in such a violent way.

By: mamakass

mamakass — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:56:34 +0000

My heart and prayers go out to you and your family for your loss.. I Know a lot is said about others not caring about these kids but speaking for myself and others I know We DO care!! As a mama, a child lost of any color, background, big city or small is a heartbreak beyond heartbreak... Any child lost is devastation to those around them and for plans left unfullfilled..
What can we do would be the question?
We know HOW we got here but now how do we change IT?
May GOD give you the strength and COURAGE for the battle...

By: Tom J

Tom J — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:25:06 +0000

No wonder your son died trying to save another; he obviously had a strong role model in you. What this society desparately needs are more MEN like you. That means MEN willing to stand up and confront wrong and fight for right. Too many so-called "men" in this society are willing to hide behind locked doors, letting our children and women suffer while they spout meaningless rhetoric about "gun rights" and "law and order". Bless you for your words and actions. I'm sure your son is as proud of you as you are of him.

By: Tina

Tina — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:08:59 +0000

I agree that it is the mindset and lifestyle of the individuals who kill, not necessarily the guns. However, when you look at some other countries where guns are not as prevalent (such as Canada) there doesn't seem to be as much gun violence. Please note I'm not saying there is NONE. Parents need to bring their children up in loving homes, where children are taught to respect other people and have compassion and empathy for others. I also want to say that re-instituting the draft it not a reasonable solution. I have two wonderful young sons who were raised with the values I mention, and who are avid hunters and gun owners. They were taught proper gun safety at a young age. They do not wish to go out and kill other people, which would certainly be a possibility if they were drafted. On the other hand, imagine what it would be like to be in the armed forces with some of those young people who don't care about the lives of others–not those of the enemy and not those of their comrades. No, the draft would not solve this problem.

Mr. Holt, my heart goes out to to you and I applaud your efforts to remember your wonderful son by trying to make the world and Chicago less violent.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:59:29 +0000

We must teach our children! We must teach them about respect for themselves, each other and the community and Earth as a whole! Kids these days have no boundries, no rules and no consequenses. Until they are taught – BY THEIR FAMILIES – not the government, not the schools – by the people who brought them into this world, this cycle of violence will never end.

By: R.D.Lee

R.D.Lee — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:52:42 +0000

Mr. Randy Jensen seems to believe that divorced mothers are to
blame for the gun problems of the world. Mr Jenken I am a divorced
Mother of two boys and I raised them alone without benfit of their
fathers input because, when the divorce came he left them to me to
raise alone as most fathers do as they want to start a new family.
My sons know how to fish, camp and lead good lives and by the
way neither of my sons ever choose to raise a gun, I guess that
makes me a "woosy" mother if so then I am proud to be a "woosy"
i dont have the answer to the problems but, I do feel if we would
stop teaching our children to hate and to take responsabilty for
our own actions and perhaps reach out to just one child regaurdless
of race color or creed. Just let them know all is not lost. That somewhere in the future they can change their lives with education
and good morals. By the way Mr Jenken why do you hate women?
Would you teach your son to love and honor their mother.
R.D.Lee

By: Tim in Atlanta

Tim in Atlanta — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:36:41 +0000

First and most important I am so very sorry for the loss of your son.He is a hero.He gave his own life to save another's and that in itself makes his shortened life that much more incredible. The gun violence in our cities is beyond control.When kids can get a gun as easy as buying an ice cream cone,there is something very wrong with this country. The worst part of it all is this will continue to happen with more people losing jobs,dipping into 401k's and their own personal finances being purged on a daily basis.The fact that a young mans life had to be taken away is a tragedy,but I hate to say it but this may only be only the start od such sad stories...RIP and God bless.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:36:28 +0000

Can morality and the value of a human life be taught to an individual at a late date of development, or does it have to be instilled in them from a very early age? Is there any hope for the violent young people out there to change their current behavior?

By: Me

Me — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Too many children die senselessly. Lawrence King a young homosexual was gunned down by another child simply because he was gay. It has been a month since I found out about and not a day goes by that I don't think about that poor kid. Now Blair will be added to my list. To the Holt's : Let me express my deepest sympathies. Blair sounds like he was a wonderful person with a lot of potential It's rare you find a person like that
Good for you to channel your emotion into something productive

By: L.J.

L.J. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:30:09 +0000

You are right that guns don't kill people, people kill people. But if this small inconvience could save even a few lifes then do it. If it makes it a little more difficult for some killers and can cut the number of deaths than I say suck it up and do what you have to do. I have not lost a child and I would do anything big or small to keep it that way.

By: Abby

Abby — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:47:53 +0000

There are no words to express enough sympathy and love to you at this time. The pain that you feel is beyond any that a person should have to endure.

The pain from the loss of a child goes beyond race, economics, or relgion or political affliation. Although all of these things contribute to our problems in this country, what I wish everyone understood is we are all fragile people, we are parents who love our children more than ourselves and we can set aside our differences to protect our children. Parents, not politicians are the answer because we aren't looking out for ourselves; we live and breathe our children.

You are in our prayers; thank you for turning your pain into something positive. God Bless You

By: lori

lori — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:55:59 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss. I am the mother of 6 and grandmother of 4 and I can only imagine your grief. Our country is under attack and our children are being destroyed! God bless you and I join in your resolve to save our children! Please let us know what we can do to help!