StOM 1806 StOM 1806 | Page 20

But hey! This is hardly bucking the trend. Excluding suicides, at least 15,549 people were killed by guns in the United States in 2017, according to data collected by Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-profit organization that tracks media and law enforcement reports of shootings. In 2015, The Washington Post estimated the number of firearms nationwide at 357 million. That's already a staggering figure, but it becomes even more so when compared with the country's population, which at that time was 317 million. So far more than one weapon per man, woman and child! The rabid utterings of the National Rifle Association, the craven impotence of US politicians and the ludicrous solutions offered by their leader make one wonder when, if ever, the lessons will be learned, or how many more innocents must die for “freedom”? That question is, of course, rhetorical. The country that considers its’ citizens to be the freest and most God fearing must try the patience of any deity. Surely aspiring to possess a gun should be reason enough to disqualify anyone from achieving their goal? Anon What’s On @ St Oswald’s Sunday 1000 Sung Eucharist Sunday School – in conjunction with service Monday 1800-2000 Kaleidoscope: Children’s Additional Needs Support Group Tuesday 1930-2130 St Oswald’s Vestry (First/month) Yoga Class 7:30 – 8:30 £3.00 (Lead by John Franklin) Wednesday 0930 1130 1730 & 1930 Slimming World C Ellis 0773 353 8448 1000 Eucharist Thursday 6:30 – 8:30 Prayer for the Community St Oswald’s creative hour of prayer followed by tea or coffee and a bowl of homemade soup. Saturday 1000-1100 H Warnock Private Dance Classes 1930-2200 Sequence Dance Contact: H Warnock (01355-265233) 20