Too much time

When Jan was shot there were phone calls, e-mails and reporters stopping by wanting an interview. The story was hot and everyone wanted a part of it.
Jan and I were still trying to process the fact that she had been shot and were not ready to talk. Jan was a victim and had what I can best describe as victims guilt. She had been shot by Debra Monce and was worried about her feelings. We wanted it to just go away.
But it still is not. Jan still carries a bullet in her body put there by Debra Monce and her gun. We both carry anger and frustration at Debra Monce and the system that allows her and people like her to carry guns.
The NRA says that guns don't kill people, people kill people. Well if Debra had been caring a knife, a lighter, a rope, a book or almost anything else and dropped it. Well that is all that would have happened, what ever it was it would have just hit the ground and laid there. Jan would not have been shot, we would not be living with this anger.
But unfortunately too much time has passed the news, and the interest in the story has faded. Which is funny to me because nothing has changed. Debra has taken no responsibility for her actions, more people in the State of Florida are able to secretly get guns and concealed weapons permit. I say secretly because in my research in Florida the identity of concealed weapon permit holders is kept secret by the state. The only thing I could find out is the number of permits issued. That worked out to be 3 in every 100. o next time you are in a crowd guess how many people are carrying guns. It gives you pause.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sreejithk2000/ / CC BY 2.0

What it's worth

Jan talked to our lawyers the other day and they informed us that Debra Monces' insurance had offered to settle the case with a check for $300. I guess they feel that would cover everything. Our lawyers also told us that our insurance company had put a lien against any settlement of $1000.
Jan and I both missed work, had Doctors and therapist appointments and have generally had our lives thrown into a blender because of Debra Monce and her gun.
I don't think any settlement will make us whole again.   

Bullet in her thigh

As you read from my earlier post my wife was shot 7 months ago by Debra Monce a teacher at Westchase Elementary. In most newspaper reports the shooting was described as minor. I'm not sure how minor an injury can be if it still causes pain after 7 months of healing. I'm suspecting that gun rights advocates have never experienced a gun shot themselves. After seeing several Doctors we were told that it was best to leave the bullet in my wifes leg. So there is stays.

Happy New Year

Police said Merhige was taking numerous medications, including Ativan, used to treat anxiety disorders.

Court documents showed Merhige and his siblings had a troubled history. Nearly a decade ago, Merhige sought protection from law enforcement after he accused his sister of trying to kill him, according to records obtained by The Miami Herald. He dropped the request a few weeks later.

In 2006, Carla Merhige, requested a restraining order against her brother saying he threatened to kill her and himself, the newspaper reported. She also withdrew her request a few weeks later.

Yet he had no problem buying guns in the days before he shot and killed 4 members of his family.