Thank you omQ R. You provide a first hand reasoned account over an issue for which most can only provide assumptions. There have been reports from previous g/fs that Mr. Praetorius had never been violent to them and that Ms. Steenkamp had been tweeting/facebooking excited and happy comments about upcoming Valentine’s Day. The gun issue in South Africa is certainly different from the USA. This is not only a gun issue, it is a violence against women issue, and – if Mr. Praetorius was clinically paranoid, a mental health issue. In a worst case scenario, I see an angry b/f using a gun as part of an argument with his g/f with no intent to kill, in the best case, a terrified home owner overreacting due to a lack of medicine and/or other treatment. I may well be wrong.I am truly sorry for what has happened to these two young people, one dead, one burdened with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. I am also sorry for the people of SA for whom Mr. Praetorius was a role model and hero, as well as for Americans who, due to war or other injury/medical cause, looked at what Mr. Praetorius overcame as object lessons for their own lives. Mr. Praetorius can redeem himself. It will take time and will be painful, but if he is willing to turn this tragedy into a teaching moment, he can help prevent this from happening to others.Regretfully, & with prayers for all those involved and affected,C.
OmqR-IV.0 about 11 years ago
sigh I suppose this is a turn on “Blade Gunner”And he used a 9mm, not revolvers.
A bloody tragedy either way. That’s the way of the gun.
SClark55 Premium Member about 11 years ago
I wonder if those are in Boxer’s bill.
chazandru about 11 years ago
Thank you omQ R. You provide a first hand reasoned account over an issue for which most can only provide assumptions. There have been reports from previous g/fs that Mr. Praetorius had never been violent to them and that Ms. Steenkamp had been tweeting/facebooking excited and happy comments about upcoming Valentine’s Day. The gun issue in South Africa is certainly different from the USA. This is not only a gun issue, it is a violence against women issue, and – if Mr. Praetorius was clinically paranoid, a mental health issue. In a worst case scenario, I see an angry b/f using a gun as part of an argument with his g/f with no intent to kill, in the best case, a terrified home owner overreacting due to a lack of medicine and/or other treatment. I may well be wrong.I am truly sorry for what has happened to these two young people, one dead, one burdened with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. I am also sorry for the people of SA for whom Mr. Praetorius was a role model and hero, as well as for Americans who, due to war or other injury/medical cause, looked at what Mr. Praetorius overcame as object lessons for their own lives. Mr. Praetorius can redeem himself. It will take time and will be painful, but if he is willing to turn this tragedy into a teaching moment, he can help prevent this from happening to others.Regretfully, & with prayers for all those involved and affected,C.