On Mass Shootings

Is American at war with itself? Are the streets of America now hardened battlefields? Do we put the lives of our families at risk when we go to a mall or send our children to a school?. I believe that this is America – –  “the home of the free”; free to live out our dreams without perils at the hands of the irresponsible, the disturbed and the criminals.

So far this year there have been more mass shootings than days; over 200 ‘mass shootings’. Much of the data is conflicting but according to ABC news 13,900 people have been killed already this year in gun violence. In 2022 there were 647 mass shootings and, according to Pew Research Center, over 48,000 people died from gun related injuries.  In 2020 gun violence was the leading cause of death in children19 and under.

This is not only tragic, it is intolerable and unacceptable.

And what have our elected representatives done besides offer tepid platitudes to the families of the victims. These congressmen and congresswomen are called “Representatives” for a reason. They are supposed to represent the PEOPLE who put them in office, To represent you have to first listen to the people, and then to act for the people. They do not seem to be listening, nor are they acting.

The NRA patriotically wraps its opposition to any sensible gun legislation around the 2nd Amendment. 

“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.”

This amendment was enacted when we had no police force of note, no national guard and a weak military. It was to enable the people to protect against hostile forces infringing on our sovereignty and abuses by any despotic government that might emerge. It was NOT intended to aid  Americans in killing Americans. I totally support all of us having the latest arms for protection, for hunting and for sport – – but not for open warfare. Automatic, multi-round assault weapons are a bridge way too far. What’s next? Hand Grenades, Bazookas,155 mm Howitzers, M1 Abrams tanks?

Universal background checks must be mandatory everywhere, and rigorously followed. Moreover, and importantly, the procedure should be expanded to include mental competency. Some say medical records must be personal and protected. But when the lives of innocent people are at stake, and they are, I would strongly support an exception to ensure that those who have mental issues can be precluded from buying lethal weapons, for both their sake and for the sake of the public. I would not like to see our schools turned into armed fortresses; I would not like to return to the days of the wild west where everybody walked around fully armed and ready to do battle at the first provocation, when minor spats can turn into bloody massacres.

The Republican Party calls itself the GOP, Government of the PEOPLE.  Is anybody listening to the people?

– – – – Just the view of a common man