The power of the people
The elected Legislature of the state of Florida refused to even consider a ban on assault weapons. The same assault weapons that Nikolas Cruz used to take 17 lives at a school in Parkland, FL. The same weapons that James Snead says that Nikolas had a right to have. Mr. Snead's opinion is extremely important because it was his home where Nikolas was living after the death of his mother. Mr. Snead had no problem with Nikolas owning an assault rifle. He told CBS News, "It is his right to have it" in response to the question "You thought it was fine for a 19 year old to have an AR-15."
That is a key component of the problem right there. That attitude is why those elected officials in Florida feel it is okay for the State House to vote down a motion to even consider a ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines. There are people in Florida who vote, who think it is their right to allow 19 year olds with a history of mental health issues to legally purchase assault weapons.
Florida is not alone. Only 7 of the 50 states have any bans on assault weapons. Two of those 43 states that do not have bans do require more stringent background checks and training requirements for buying assault weapons than for purchasing other firearms.
We can't choose to boycott 43 states on this issue. It isn't just impractical, it is impossible to do. But we can choose one state to make an example of. Florida is the perfect example state. We should continue to work to ban them on the federal level. That doesn't mean we shouldn't use Florida as a battleground to show our determination.
I just watched one of the Republicans in the Florida State House who voted against even considering a ban on assault weapons, being interviewed on CNN. He talked about how raising the age at which one could legally buy and own an assault weapon from 18 to 21, as though that would make a difference. That's a load of crap. We give 18 year olds the right to vote. We mandate that they register with the Selective Service and deny them certain benefits if they fail to do so. Raising the age limit to buy an assault weapon to 21, or 31 or even 61 is not the answer.
As I wrote in an earlier blog post, one answer is to require people who want to own assault weapons to become part of the "...well-regulated militia..." mentioned in the original text of the Second Amendment. Anyone who doesn't undergo the required screenings and training to be part of that militia would be prohibited from owning anything but a handgun or a bolt-action hunting rifle, or a shotgun. Any handgun or shotgun is more than adequate for defending home and loved ones from intruders.
The thoughts and prayers of politicians and others do nothing to prevent the next mass shooting. The outcry of Speaker Ryan and others that a knee-jerk reaction is not appropriate is wrong-headed and illogical. It is a self-serving denial of responsibility for doing their jobs.
#NeverAgain
That is a key component of the problem right there. That attitude is why those elected officials in Florida feel it is okay for the State House to vote down a motion to even consider a ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines. There are people in Florida who vote, who think it is their right to allow 19 year olds with a history of mental health issues to legally purchase assault weapons.
Florida is not alone. Only 7 of the 50 states have any bans on assault weapons. Two of those 43 states that do not have bans do require more stringent background checks and training requirements for buying assault weapons than for purchasing other firearms.
We can't choose to boycott 43 states on this issue. It isn't just impractical, it is impossible to do. But we can choose one state to make an example of. Florida is the perfect example state. We should continue to work to ban them on the federal level. That doesn't mean we shouldn't use Florida as a battleground to show our determination.
I just watched one of the Republicans in the Florida State House who voted against even considering a ban on assault weapons, being interviewed on CNN. He talked about how raising the age at which one could legally buy and own an assault weapon from 18 to 21, as though that would make a difference. That's a load of crap. We give 18 year olds the right to vote. We mandate that they register with the Selective Service and deny them certain benefits if they fail to do so. Raising the age limit to buy an assault weapon to 21, or 31 or even 61 is not the answer.
As I wrote in an earlier blog post, one answer is to require people who want to own assault weapons to become part of the "...well-regulated militia..." mentioned in the original text of the Second Amendment. Anyone who doesn't undergo the required screenings and training to be part of that militia would be prohibited from owning anything but a handgun or a bolt-action hunting rifle, or a shotgun. Any handgun or shotgun is more than adequate for defending home and loved ones from intruders.
The thoughts and prayers of politicians and others do nothing to prevent the next mass shooting. The outcry of Speaker Ryan and others that a knee-jerk reaction is not appropriate is wrong-headed and illogical. It is a self-serving denial of responsibility for doing their jobs.
#NeverAgain
posted by me at 10:42 AM
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