Attempted murder is what the Charleston Police Department’s latest press release is calling the events that took place at Saturday’s “Barn Party.”

What is somehow more upsetting is the nonchalant attitude with which I have heard some students react to the use of a weapon. This weapon, which has been smuggled into movie theaters, tucked into backpacks and abused by strangers, has resulted in some of this country’s most tragic events in recent years.

Hearing, “It wasn’t that bad,” is a startling remark in regard to an event where a shooting took place at, because it is a complete understatement.

Three young people were taken to the hospital and treated for gunshot wounds and assault and still people say they had a good time.

No music or combination of alcohol, or whatever it is that makes a party of more than 400 people so appealing, could persuade anyone to shrug off the fact there was a shooting- the fact that three people who are each someone’s daughter or son, best friend or sibling, could have been killed.

If this incident had occurred at a party in a residence hall or a bar nearby campus I’m hesitant to believe that an attempted murder would ever be taken so lightly.

No matter how common violence becomes, it is never something to develop numbness to. Hurting someone when we are mad at him or her is unacceptable and that concept seems to be getting lost. This contributes to the false sense of entitlement people feel when they decide to take someone’s life on a street corner, during passing periods at high schools, or at parties in empty warehouses over the weekends.

The phrase “guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” is stupidly obvious. Guns don’t kill people.

But people do kill people; with guns and with their own bare hands.

Even though Charleston has a history of being small and safe, that doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen; and when they do happen, they should be taken seriously.

No less than three people were sent to the hospital because someone had a bad temper.

There is no silver lining to a party that results in hospital expenses. When you turn the music down and pour out your drinks, you were all just witnesses at crime scene someone decided was “still a good time.”

Katie Smith is a junior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or denopinions@gmail.com.