My heart hurts today. The shooting in Allen is horrific. I cannot fathom what drives a person to do that. It’s simply unimaginable.

Yet, as a society, it appears we fight. At least our elected leaders do. And various groups do. And likely, we do too at some level.

I am a gun owner. I enjoy shooting sports and the sport of shooting. I grew up in a time where carrying a shotgun or rifle in the back window of my truck was a simple part of life. Today, in a world seemingly more broken than ever, that would be cause for major concern and my interest in owning multiple guns is called into question as to what that says about my character.

At the same time, something has to give. We cannot continue to allow people who do not need to have a gun because of mental or other reasons that makes them dangerous. We cannot have young, innocent lives being taken for no reason. There has to be a middle ground that is acceptable and that lets us all sleep at night knowing we have done our part.

I appreciate the story someone mentioned about a rock in Cain’s hands is murder and a rock in David’s hands is heroism.

I also appreciate a family being able to stroll through an outlet mall and not being murdered.

It’s time we quit fighting and come together for answers that protect innocent lives. It’s time both sides quit digging in and starting discussing alternatives, get creative and find ways to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not possess them.

My heart is broken for victims of senseless murders. My heart is broken that we cannot put leaders in place that truly work for the greater good instead of the highest paid bidder. My heart is broken that we fight instead of seek answers. The most imperfect answer may be a step in the right direction of a life changing solution.

How much heartbreak can we endure?