If not now, when?
After 26 people were shot dead and 20 injured at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, President Donald Trump said the shooting was caused by a mental health problem not an issue with gun laws in the United States.
What?
Every day, 93 people are killed with a gun in America. In 2016, the number of gun deaths climbed to 38,000. Since the massacre in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and injured hundreds, 33 mass shootings have occurred in the United States in places such as Maryland, Ohio, and California. With the shooting in Texas on Sunday, the number is now 34.
“The alarming frequency with which we watch terrifying scenes unfold in our communities is devastating – and it’s not normal,” said Gabby Giffords, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives who was shot in 2011 while meeting with constituents in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona.
“I am praying that our lawmakers find the courage to face our nation’s gun violence problem,” Giffords said in a statement on her website Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence. “We can build a safer future for our children, but preventing future tragedies requires a president who acknowledges our gun violence problem and members of Congress who will stand up to the gun lobby and take action to save lives. This must stop. The time for action is now.”
In the past, I’ve written about the mass shootings at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.; at the Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado; at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and at the Clackamas Town Center in Portland, Oregon.
When the mass shooting happened in Las Vegas, I forgot to write about it until I saw the articles by other baby boomer bloggers.
Now, I’m going to write about the need for gun control laws and new mental health programs every time a mass shooting occurs.
Here in Washington state, we’re called the “Left Coast,” supposedly because we’re so liberal. Well, it isn’t true. In Washington, we have an open carry law. One day when I went to the state capital to take photos of the Legislative Building, I happened on a gun rights rally. The two photos in this article are from that rally. The second photo is of two men who were “guarding the perimeter.”
We’re living in a Right Wing country, with policies such as the lack of gun control laws affecting our everyday lives. This has got to change.
Americans need to join together and elect officials who are willing to take action on gun control so this senseless killing can stop. It’s heartbreaking to watch on TV over and over and over babies, children, young people, and old people being killed because a crazy person was able to get guns.
And, people also need to work with others who are taking action to get gun laws changed. Here are nine organizations listed on the website Great Nonprofits that are making progress towards gun control:
- The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
- Everytown for Gun Safety
- Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
- New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
- Newtown Action Alliance
- Violence Policy Center
- Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence
- States United to Prevent Gun Violence
- Stop Handgun Violence
By all accounts, the vast majority of Americans wants some kind of reasonable gun control. I don’t know how the NRA gets away with it.
Hi Tom,
Many members of Congress want the NRA money and, in addition, they want to be seen as conservative. They don’t want to have the NRA and their opponents attack them with the slogan, he or she is going to take away your guns. It’s so sad. These mass killings are just so awful.
Rita
Hi Rita! Good for you for speaking out so strongly about something that definitely needs changing in our country. I can’t believe that so many people are sticking their heads in the sand about this issue. This is life and death–not politics! But unfortunately, the big money of the NRA is running the show. As you say we need to be vocal and LOUD about this! Thank you for your post. ~Kathy
At the very least get rid of assault rifles and devices to make guns rapid fire. No one needs those. Germany and Japan don’t allow guns and are doing just fine.