The self-described grim reaper Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) sits in front of the Senate door killing any legislation that dares comes his way. The Democrats have passed plenty of bills to no avail. Still, they remain frozen by a divide over impeaching Donald Trump. So what is the answer? It may surprise people.
New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy (D) has decided to find a way to prevent firearm manufacturers and sellers from allowing guns to end up in the hands of the wrong people. The state resolved to halt any government business with them unless they changed their ways.
The state insisted upon background checks and red-flagging people with a history of mental illness or domestic abuse, and other high-risk individuals.
The state also planned to wield its buying power to force gun makers to adopt policies like background checks. One reason this has become so important is that the number of mass shootings has been rapidly increasing. Children who are fearful of a mass shooting cannot learn well in school. In order to learn effectively, a child must relax and become receptive. Fear blocks a person’s ability to receive new information.
New Jersey also planned to pressure the big banking organizations and other financial institutions who dealt with gunmakers and sellers to stop or lose its business. At the current time, the state hands over one billion dollars in bank fees each year.
The governor will release the details about his new approach to battle mass shootings today. The state’s governor was likely to sign an executive order, according to The New York Times:
‘Taxpayers are the top purchasers of firearms. The State should not be purchasing firearms, ammunition or equipment from vendors that place civilians and law enforcement in harm’s way by virtue of not adopting responsible practices related to firearms.’
President of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society Alex Roubian said this about the possibility of boycotting the state’s firearm manufacturers:
‘That’s something that the governor’s office has to consider. Because if they’re going to put police officers’ lives in danger because of politics, that’s on the governor, not on the gun industry.’
The governor’s office referred to a Brady Campaign study. The gun-control organization was founded after President Ronald Reagan’s assistant James Brady was shot during an assassination attempt and permanently disabled. The governor’s office said that New Jersey intends to implement policies for retailers, too :
‘(To) prevent, detect and screen for the transfer of firearms to straw purchasers or firearm traffickers.’
President of Everytown for Gun Safety John Feinblatt said:
‘With this executive order Governor Murphy is blazing a new path for states that want gun manufacturers, retailers and financial institutions to take action to help end gun violence. And we hope to see other governors quickly follow suit.’
At the time, there were several top New Jersey banks that have already cut off banking and credit cards to gun retailers. They even refused to lend money to manufacturers that broke the age limit and background checks laws.
New Jersey officials said that they hope other states would follow their example. A mass shooting occurs every day. Only the most egregious ones make the national news.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has changed from a gun safety and training organization to a lobbyist for the firearm manufacturers. Last year, the NRA gave Donald Trump $30 million for his campaign. It also supports other US Republican legislators.
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.
