I’ve heard almost every reason imaginable for why someone killed someone else. Is there ever any “good” reason for killing someone? According to the legal system, there are reasons and circumstances which make killing excusable and/or acceptable. What drives me crazy are the excuses some people use when killing isn’t the only option. Ours is a culture in which people have, for some reason, decided killing someone else is the easy way out. Here are what I consider some the most unacceptable reasons for homicide.

     “I didn’t know the gun was loaded.” This isn’t always related to an intentional killing, but is an often used excuse for death. Gun safety is very important. If you handle a weapon as if it’s loaded, whether or not you know it to be otherwise, these types of deaths can be prevented.
     “She (or he) cheated on me.” People need to either work out their relationships or move on.
     “I didn’t like him (or her) because [insert reason here].” If everyone in this country killed every person they disliked for any reason, the homicide rates would be astronomical. You’d probably be the next target because there’s someone who doesn’t like you for some reason.
     “He (or she) was making our marriage miserable by [insert reason here].” Whether it’s constant nagging, uncontrolled spending, or your spouse won’t help you clean the house, this is no reason to kill them. As with “cheating”, work out your differences or move on.
     “I thought they were going to kill me.” If the person is coming at you with a weapon, this might be a legitimate excuse. However, most of the time people give this reason, it’s nothing more than an attempt to place the blame on the other person.
     “I had to show them I was a man (or woman).” Usually this is used by younger people who’re being initiated into gangs. This is part of the “kill or be killed” mentality of gang life. Part of being a “real” man or woman is standing up for what’s right. Regardless of what your “home boys” think, it takes a bigger man to walk away and not kill someone.
     “He (or she) got (or took) what was rightfully mine.” Some of the things people kill over include being overlooked for promotions, losing a boyfriend/girlfriend to someone else, and being forced to move due to “eminent domain”. Killing won’t change the situation.
     “I didn’t like him (or her) because they’re [insert racial/religious/ethnic group here].” People will reach to the bottom of the barrel for any excuse to kill. Prejudice and bigotry are the worst. This is just one of the reasons people use when they can’t think of anything else.