We Need True Gun Reform NOW!
Gun Control – Concrete Solutions
March 26, 2022
Buffalo Massacre
Texas Child Massacre (Robb Elementary School)
For the second time in less than two weeks, an 18-year-old armed with an assault rifle has committed mass murder. Today, we grieve over the loss of 19 fourth graders who were massacred in their classroom and the two heroic teachers who died trying to shield them.
The thoughts and prayers offered by politicians who have repeatedly voted against common sense gun safety laws that will end this type of senseless violence must ring incredibly hollow to the families of those who were needlessly slaughtered by a teenager wielding a weapon of war.
We can and we must act. That is why I support H.R. 8, the Background Checks Act of 2021 and HR 1446, legislation that will close the gaping loopholes that have enabled murderers to acquire the guns the used to kill people shopping at their neighborhood grocery store, at church, at concerts, and, far too often, at school.
I will also fight to raise the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines from 18 to 21, the current minimum wage for acquiring hand guns.
Finally, I support passage of a federal “red flag” law that will keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have them. These laws, now implemented in 19 states–including Florida but sadly not Ohio–enable family members and law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily remove firearms from people in crises. All Americans deserve to be protected by a red flag process.
Taken together these commonsense gun safety measures which are supported by a vast majority of the American people, represent important steps that will reduce gun violence in our nation and protect our families. Enacting them would honor the memories of all those who have been sacrificed.
My Position on Gun Control – A National Gun Registry
by LG Lyras, March 24, 2021
“Thoughts and prayers” are not enough for the latest mass shootings, and “Enough is enough” heard from the other side of the isle and the halls of government are only political doublespeak (otherwise called “forked tongue”). Quickly the media chimes in but the cries for gun control will fade away save for the few that are left with visiting cold stone monuments that mark the remains of their loved ones.
Yes, I know that there are thousands of gun laws on the books all over the country, and rightly so. But it is time for a national gun registry. A registry that is updated regularly and shared with all law enforcement agencies. We need these controls; registering each gun purchase in a national registry, licensing the gun owner in a national registry; proof of training that needs to be renewed; strict background checks; and preventing unqualified persons from purchasing guns. When erratic or threatening behavior is reported, guns must be confiscated and licenses revoked until the person has gone through psychological testing and recertification. All of this information must be in a national registry that can be accessed by all law-enforcement agencies. Will a national gun registry stop all gun-related killings? Of course not. No more than an extremist with no license driving a van into a crowd would stop him from killing innocent people. But it may prevent people from obtaining weapons or high capacity magazines that they don’t have the training or need for. Just as you register your car, register your guns. It’s common sense gun control that we must all agree upon, regardless of party affiliation. I am for gun regulation, and I am very cognizant of the Second Amendment as with all the amendments in the Constitution. The right to keep and bear arms and the presence of a well-regulated militia were critical to our independence. But, let’s not forget, when the Constitution was written our weapons were no different than the weapons of the British or foreign soldiers we were fighting. The militia was needed and was critical to our independence. That was a different time and age … January 6th, 2021 should be a reminder that these groups need to learn the power of voting and civil discourse, not just the 2nd amendment.
Guns intended for sport and hunting could be excluded, but all other rifle (especially AR style) rifles and handguns with high capacity magazines need to be restricted. There needs to be a very, very good reason why anyone would want a gun with large capacity magazines similar to those that have been used to kill and injure large numbers of people in a short period of time. Many of these laws are existing laws, others are not, and the variances from state to state and city to city are extreme. But it is time for Congress to legislate gun control and put an end to this madness. It is time for gun advocates, and those who believe the political rhetoric about federal tyranny or defending ourselves from internal insurrection and invading foreign powers, to realize that the most powerful weapons we have for the “security of a free State” is not the Second Amendment, but the First and Fifteenth Amendments.
WE NEED GUN REFORM NOW!
JOIN US IN OUR FIGHT TO MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM A REALITY FOT ALL FAMILIES!