We fail as a nation in preventing gun violence
On April 6, 2022, many newspapers and news outlets had a common headline. Two-year-old toddler fatally shoots 4-yearold sister inside car at gas station in Pennsylvania while dad is pumping gas in car.
On March 14, 2022, news outlets reported: 3-year-old accidentally shoots his mom to death in family’s car in a suburban Chicago supermarket parking lot.
These incidents have become more common than rare. According to CBSnews.com, “Data analyzed by advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, so far this year there have been at least 43 unintentional shootings by children in the U.S., resulting in 16 deaths and 29 injuries.
Last year, there were at least 379 unintentional shootings by children nationwide, resulting in 154 deaths and 244 injuries, the group said.”
Domestic violence and firearms, a very common abuse in America, is carried out by men killing their spouses with guns.
Then, we have the mass shootings in schools, and at synagogue, mosques, grocery store, music festival. Every time these shootings happen, I notice a theme. Politicians asking to observe a moment of silence and pray for the families of victims. Senator Ted Cruz advocates and calls for a prayer every time there is a shooting and deaths. I noticed a pattern every time Senator Cruz asks for prayer more shootings and deaths follow. And God goes … well don’t look at me. I may have created life but I didn’t create guns.
On Nov. 30, 2021, there was a mass school shooting at Oxford High School causing four bright young lives to be taken away. This incident is (almost) in my backyard. It gave me chills and made me upset and feel helpless and how irresponsible of me not doing something about these mass shootings. When it happened in close proximity it awakened me to the fact that how reckless and disconcerted, we as a nation are when it comes to gun safety and responsibility of owning a gun.
When news comes of gun violence at a school from a far, like the one in Texas, after two to three days we move on. As a society we talk about it but fail miserably in addressing these violent acts knowing well that it can be prevented.
The Baltimore and Texas school shootings come just before the NRA annual meeting from May 27-29. These shootings are celebrated as the opening act for the NRA meeting with blessings and support from Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Abbot of Texas, former President Trump, the gun lobby and the gun industry. Interestingly guns are banned during Trump’s speech at the NRA conference. Why? Is he scared of the Second Amendment or the right for people to freely carry guns wherever they want to?
The gun industry, gun lobby and politicians will not let simple solutions to be put in place, such as mandatory universal background check, holding period and annual review of licenses of gun holders. No different than getting a fishing license and dog license every year. They will not even allow funding for a public health study of the causes and effects. Instead, they will promote for teachers to carry guns. What’s next — have each elementary school kid carry a machine gun or an automatic gun capable of sustained rapid fire as part of their backpack?
As a society we have a responsibility to stop the gun violence. Act now!