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I’m not totally against guns - I’m against gun violence. I was a Boy Scout and got the rifle shooting merit badge. And most of my kids and grandkids use guns for hunting and target shooting. Millions of law-abiding citizens do that too - I have no problem with that. But there are no attack weapons or high-capacity, military armaments involved. Such weapons are designed to kill people. They are not for hunting or target shooting or even home defense.
The gun homicide rate in the US is the highest in the world of developed countries. This is not Iraq or Syria or Afghanistan or Mexico. Other civilized countries deal with this problem. Look at the track record of England, Germany, Sweden, Canada and others. America is an “armed nation” – like a third world country. This situation is out of control. For example, the homicide rate in Chicago is the highest among major cities in US - more than 4X New York City and more than 2X Los Angeles. There have been about 3000 shooting victims a year in Chicago – that’s almost 10 every day and has been increasing.
What does it take to change this situation? How many mass shootings and school shootings does it take to fix the problem? - Columbine, Fort Hood, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Newtown/Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, Orlando, etc., etc. There is no gun control! There are more restrictions on driving a car or buying Sudafed! And what was the reaction to legislators introducing gun laws in Colorado? - a movement to recall them. When will these mass shootings end? Enough is enough! When will the politicians/Congress take action to prevent or reduce these incidents, and other gun related killings? The problem is that politicians don’t have the guts to do what is in the best interest of their constituents. They are afraid of the voting power of the gun lobby. After 20 children and six adults were massacred in Newtown, Connecticut the Executive Director of the Gun Owners Association of America had the gall/insanity to state that “gun control is the problem - if the teachers and administrators had guns this wouldn’t have happened”. Who is crazy here? Both Fort hood gunmen bought their weapons at the “Guns Galore” store before they used them for massacre. Why do we allow the facilitation of murder?
We have “right to carry” laws in all states. Most require a permit to carry concealed weapons in public – some don’t. And most states also allow the open carrying of a handgun without any license or permit and some require some form of license or permit in order to openly carry a handgun. Does that mean that carrying weapons openly is more safe that if they are concealed? This is crazy! Civilized countries think of America as still living in the culture of the “wild west”!
The National Rifle Association/NRA was founded in 1871 to advance rifle marksmanship because it was found in the Civil War that Union/Northern soldiers could not shoot as well as Confederate/Southern soldiers. But now the NRA is “one of the most influential lobbying groups in Washington. Over its history the organization has influenced legislation, participated in or initiated lawsuits, and endorsed or opposed various candidates … The organization's overall revenue, which includes membership dues, program fees and other contributions, has boomed in recent years – rising to over $350 million – much of which the NRA uses to keep pro-gun lawmakers in office. Some political funding comes from big corporations, many within the gun industry, which donate millions to the NRA.” After mass shooting tragedies – like Sandy Hook/Newtown – when many called for tighter gun control laws - gun sales soared, and so did donations to the NRA! Why does our society support an organization with such a mission?
And the gun violence continues in the U.S. – unchecked. In 2017 there were some of the worst mass shootings ever. In Las Vegas, a gunman with an automatic weapon killed 58 people and wounded 546. Not long after that, a gunman in Texas with an assault rifle entered a church service and killed 26 people and wounded another 20 – including children. And it seems to be happening even more often. In February 2018 a former high school student in Parkland, Florida killed 17 students and teachers and wounded another 15.
Some people think gun violence in the U.S. is due to the large number of guns in the country and the relative ease to obtain them. Recent data reported by the New York Times seems to support that – see the chart below:
The U.S. when compared to other countries has by far the largest number of mass shootings and the largest number of guns. Even when compared on a per capita basis, the U.S. is far above all other countries. This is just insane! How can this country portray itself as the world leader in freedom and opportunity with this disgraceful, barbaric record?
“Gun Rights”! What does that mean? How about “knife rights” or “bomb rights”, etc.? What exactly is the “right” involved in owning an assault rifle? How about we read the 2nd amendment and see what it really means - and meant over 200 years ago? “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Now, how does that relate to today and the uncontrolled proliferation of assault weapons? It will be difficult to do, but this country needs to get this situation – which is really a crisis - under control – starting with assault weapons, criminals, and the mentally disturbed. Despite the horrendous nature of this ongoing crisis, the U.S. Congress continues to refuse to take action. A Senator recently introduced legislation to prevent the sale of guns to people who are on the federal terrorist watch list. And another legislator introduced a bill to stop the sale of “bump stocks”, like what the Las Vegas killer used to modify semiautomatic rifles to fire like an automatic weapon. But the Congress refused to even vote on either bill! Unbelievable irresponsibility!
All Rights Reserved © 2016/2017 Henry P. Mitchell
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