Since 2004, when the ban on assault rifles ended, seven of the worst 10 mass shooting in the United States have occurred. Of those, six involved semi-automatic assault rifles. One even used a device that essentially turns an assault rifle into a fully automatic weapon.
Gun fanatics will do anything to protect their right to own any weapon they choose, regardless of statistics and regardless of the consequences.
The momentum toward doing something continues. Last Tuesday more than 185,000 students from across the country walked out of classes in solidarity for change. There would have been more, but some schools threatened suspension if students left classes.
However, after tough talk during a Feb. 28 meeting where President Donald Trump accused legislators of being “scared” of the National Rifle Association (NRA), he seems to be backing down on every point.
The White House calls it “political reality.” But, in reality, it’s exactly what Trump said during the meeting, legislators are scared of the NRA. And so is he.
Responsible gun owners have nothing to fear — except the NRA. The NRA is the biggest problem facing gun owners. The NRA wants controversy. Controversy, and fear, sells guns, and right now gun sales are dismal. Large gun manufacturers have declared bankruptcy.
If you want to protect your rights, reasonable rights, disassociate with the NRA. Drop your membership, as many others have. There is a movement now to “Boycott the NRA.”
Even a former president, George H.W. Bush, dropped his lifetime membership. That was in 1995 and the NRA was running marketing messages claiming federal agents were ninja-clad terrorists—this was just after Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols murdered 168 people in Oklahoma City.
Remember, Bush was a Republican. He dropped his membership because the NRA no longer stood for anything but fear-mongering.
The NRA no longer stands for gun safety, it stands for the right of every person to own and use any gun for any purpose, even to kill 17 people in a Florida school. Don’t be deceived. In reality, that is exactly what Wayne LaPierre, executive Vice President of the NRA is saying. By defending absurd gun laws the NRA and LaPierre are complicit in what’s happening in America.
If the NRA had gun owners’ best interests in mind, it would advocate for reasonable gun laws. But, they don’t. The only answer they have is, more guns. More guns will stop a lunatic with a gun, they repeat.
No one really believes that.
Imagine yourself in a shootout. Just how scared would you be? I suspect you would be trembling. Could you actually hit what you’re aiming at?
The point is, a good guy with a gun in a school setting (or any other crowded place) is more likely to hit an innocent person than the bad guy. That’s why arming teachers is just a bad idea. Last Wednesday a teacher at Seaside High School in Monterey County, Calif., accidentally discharged his handgun into the ceiling of a classroom. This man was teaching a criminal justice class. Ironically, he was teaching safety awareness. He is (or was) a reserve police officer and city councilman.
Yes, arming teachers is a very bad idea.
While I don’t have the answer to gun violence in America, there are some things that can be done, and must be done. Comprehensive and universal background checks must be required. This isn’t a simple check of the database to see if a person is wanted for something. Nor is it a check to make sure a person hasn’t been convicted of a violent crime. Those checks aren’t enough. Background checks should include talking to friends and neighbors, checking social media, and finding out something about the individual, maybe even requiring training.
Once those barriers are passed, then the sheriff should have the right to determine who is qualified to purchase a firearm. Yes, it will take time and yes, it will cost money. Let’s forget about the border wall and use the money to fund this program.
The movement to do something did get some support immediately after the Florida school shooting. Several companies have severed ties with the NRA. Dick’s Sporting Goods has said it will no longer sell assault-style rifles and a person must be 21 to purchase a gun. Walmart followed suit, saying it will no longer sell guns to anyone under 21. The mayor of Dallas told the NRA to take their convention somewhere else, they are no longer welcome in Dallas.
It’s not nearly enough, but it’s a start. Hopefully others will follow suit.
The Florida legislature passed a law raising the age to purchase a firearm to 21, but the NRA immediately filed a lawsuit, asking the law be found unconstitutional.
A march in Washington, D.C. on March 24 to demand stricter gun laws is expected to draw 500,000 people.
I hope momentum for change surges. For once I hope we don’t forget. That’s what we’ve always done.
That’s what the NRA counts on.
NRA and 2nd Amendment, meet 200,000 angry high school kids and the 1st Amendment
STEVE CHRISTENSEN