The news these days tends to be heavy, almost more than a person can bear. However, there is uplifting news. It is just a matter of looking around a bit. Take The USA Today op-ed today.
A group of former legislators, who were also military veterans have demanded a reasonable change. They have demanded lawmakers ban assault weapons:
‘We are both veterans and parents to young kids. As our children and yours head back to school this fall, here is a lesson we hope none of our kids have to learn: A loaded AR-15 rifle — the military-grade weapon used in more mass shootings than any other — can fire dozens of rounds in a minute.’
They pointed out how bad it can get:
‘In El Paso, Texas, families who were back-to-school shopping were attacked by a gunman with an AK-47, capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute. Less than 13 hours later, a gunman in Dayton, Ohio, used an assault rifle with a 100-round magazine to kill nine people in 32 seconds.’
The real veterans of war wrote that the weapons of war should not be available to anyone who is not at war:
‘These despicable acts were possible because domestic terrorists were allowed to buy weapons of war. We condemn this hate in the strongest possible terms and we must cut off this bloodshed at the source. Mass shootings are occurring at an alarming rate and will continue unless we stop the easy access to weapons of war.’
The writers’ simple, reason solution made sense:
‘The assault weapons ban is an obvious place to start because it’s a solution that has already worked. Between 1994 and 2004, the U.S. banned the purchase of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and gun massacres where six or more people died dropped 37%. That’s why we are calling on the House to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, which we are both proud to co-sponsor. More than half of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history have taken place within the last 10 years. All were carried out using an AR-15 or similarly styled weapon.’
Then, they pointed out a stark reality:
‘Assault weapons are meant for warfare, period.’
These people understood weapons:
‘We’re intimately familiar with assault weapons designed for military use. While serving in the Army and Navy, we both experienced the rigorous training required of all military personnel who carry them. And we know the purpose of a gun that can fire hundreds of rounds in minutes. It’s not for hunting or for civilian self-defense. It’s for warfare.’
They also understood who the block was:
‘…Each time, Americans cry out for leadership while Congress refuses to act. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., must stop playing political games and bring gun safety bills to the Senate floor. Senators must have the courage to tell the American people where they stand and not hide behind the majority leader any longer. In the last six months, the House passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Violence Against Women Act, yet McConnell has declared them dead on arrival. It’s time for senators to debate and vote on both measures so that the American people know where they stand.’
The authors of this op-ed noted that “active shooter drills shouldn’t be in the curriculum:”
‘We’ve never fought for anyone’s right to turn a high school hallway, synagogue, concert, church or Walmart into a battlefield. There’s a lot we hope our children learn at school, but active shooter drills shouldn’t be in the curriculum.’
They wrote about how “gun safety measures” worked:
‘We know because we’ve seen the success of gun safety measures in Colorado and New Jersey. After the Aurora theater shooting, Colorado passed universal background checks legislation. That commonsense measure has prevented over 2,000 firearms sales to individuals who should not have them.’
The writers continued:
‘New Jersey has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation and this plays an important role in New Jersey’s consistently low gun death rate. For example, in 2017, the firearm death rate in New Jersey was 5.3 deaths per 100,000 people. By comparison, the national firearm death rate was more than twice that number at 12 deaths per 100,000 people.’
Yet, the gun violence crisis solution has always taken “leadership and courage:”
‘Addressing the crisis of gun violence will take leadership and courage. If the Senate refuses to act, then we must vote them out. Let’s show Americans what leadership really looks like. Our children are watching, and learning to see what we do next.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
