Gun Control Reform Activism

I was disappointed when the opportunity to make some much needed changes failed after the tragic shooting in Newtown.

Prior to the recent rash of mass shootings I strongly supported universal background checks and major improvements to our NICS background check system including imputing the names of those legally adjudged as having severe mental issues to the database. I also favor the idea of increasing law enforcement efforts and penalties to stop the straw purchase and smuggling of firearms to the inner cities of our nation and to Mexico.

I would also like to see anyone who buys a firearm or ammunition required to have a card proving that they have received firearm safety training. This would be similar to the card required for a Scuba diver to buy air for his tanks.

I believe that some of my ideas would have been possible to pass at the national level especially after the events our nation has recently suffered. For example polls show a majority of gun owners support universal background checks. Unfortunately the gun control advocates overreached by pushing for another assault weapons ban and the results were predictable in our Congress when you consider that the House is under Republican control and that a small state that supports gun rights has the same number of Senators as a state with a much larger population that favors strong gun control.

So an excellent opportunity was lost and now, because of the upcoming midterm elections, is unlikely unless we have a number of mass murders. The threat of strong gun legislation such as another assault weapons ban caused gun owners and many people who had never owned a firearm to run down to their local gun store and to form long lines waiting to get into gun show. Now millions of new firearms are in the hands of civilians, many who lack the safety training to handle these deadly weapons responsibly. Ammunition flew off the shelves of gun stores and out the doors of gun shows and now many Americans have thousands and thousands of rounds in their homes.

In the post you replied to I was critical of both sides of the debate and the media and also our elected representatives. Read what I said again carefully.

Did you note that I said that both sides of the debate have good points to make?

I understand the feelings of those who have lost family members as I recently lost a close family member to a tragic accident involving a firearm. I also realize that I might not be making this post had not my mother had a revolver in her purse when she was attacked in the 1920 time frame by a white thug who intended to rape her as she was walking home from work. She fired two shots over his head and he ran.

I fail to see how you read my post and than made this comment:



If you read carefully you would have realized that I said:



Nowhere did I state that racism has ended. Far from it and it not only exists among some gun enthusiasts but also to a degree in the ranks of gun control advocates and all citizens in our nation.

However if you grew up in the 1950s and 1960s as I did you would realize we have made great headway in reducing racism in our nation. Many white people voted for Obama just as I and the members of my family did.

You find the use of the word "thug" to be offensive as you suggest that it is a code word for black youth. I said that such use was inappropriate but the word could be legitimately used to describe any individual who preys on innocent people for no reason and enjoys beating or killing them. I am now 67 years old and I realize that language changes over time but I will continue to use the term thug to describe those who pray on others for fun. I would describe the members of the KKK who used to beat and kill minorities back in the times when I was growing up as thugs or even worse.

But while you are disturbed by this "code word" you seem to have no real problem with insinuating gun enthusiasts are racist.

Perhaps I find that insulting because I am definitely a gun enthusiast but my family has a number of friends in the black community. Several years ago we took in a black teenager who had been kicked out of his home by his mother. We helped him get his birth certificate and paid for it. We also helped him to get his ID and a job and I drove him to and from his work for several months. He stayed with us for well over a year and now lives in a rented house with my grandson and my grandson's girlfriend who is also black.

The main point I wish to make is if we ever wish to make headway on reducing gun violence in our nation we need to show some respect for the other side of the debate and carefully consider what they say. Uselessly calling each other names will only drive us apart and make any compromise impossible.