It is an almost daily occurrence. Mass casualty shootings have, sadly, become the norm in our country. While a majority of Americans support stricter gun control measures, the pro-gun lobby, led by the NRA and their dead-from-the-neck-up Second Amendment distortionists, have us living in fear that a trip to the mall or a simple fender bender might result in our death by gun violence, making us just another statistic in this horrific, uniquely American legacy.
The depth of this gun violence was epitomized by CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin who, when told by her producers that she was going to cover yet another mass casualty shooting, tearfully asked “Which one?”. The resulting backlash from this, and her refusal to confront the late Elijah Cummins, has prompted those on the right to demand she be removed from the air. This is the world we live in.
As an educator with over thirty years in the classroom, I was shocked to discover that, in addition to my many other duties, I am now required to take annual active shooter training in the event I need to protect my students.
Are you kidding me?!
A shooting at a Texas church furthered the gun debate as the NRA hailed the parishioner who stopped the shooter as “a good guy with a gun who prevented even more people from dying”, yet one has to wonder why armed guards are needed in a house of worship? Instead of addressing this issue, their response is “We need more guns”.
The mind-numbing logic is astounding!
Meanwhile, South Carolina is considering legislation (H.3456) that would allow open carry of a firearm WITHOUT NEEDING A PERMIT. Supporters of this legislation claim it would be “a small step returning to the original vision of our founders, in which citizens had a duty to be armed rather than need permission to carry”. They point to the original intent of having “all able-bodied men to have a working musket”, using this archaic terminology, while ignoring the huge technological advances in firearms.
Using the states that ignore federal laws prohibiting marijuana possession and sale, the defenders of this bill want to ignore any potential federal legislation regarding gun control.
We need to have a new year without fear. We need sensible gun control laws. We need to defeat H.3456.
We need to Take a Stand!
