Lynne Stevens
On Dec. 16, a second grader called 911 to report an active school shooting. More thoughts and prayers – and predictably, a continuing lack of Congressional desire to fight for solutions – followed.
In an average year, 5,833 North Carolinians are killed and/or wounded by gun violence. Guns are the leading cause of death for teenagers and children in North Carolina. Our state has the 12th-highest rate of gun violence in the United States (everystat.org).
This seems to be OK with our Republican legislators, who place campaign donations from the NRA over public well being. Is this OK with you?
Republican Congressmen have chosen to prioritize the strict interpretation of the Second Amendment over the safety and welfare of citizens and their families. They argue that bad actions of criminals should not deprive the law abiding of their rights. Republicans generally oppose universal background checks and bans on weapons of war, which – in some states – are readily available to 18-year-olds without background checks. They advocate for teachers having guns in schools and – in general – arming the citizens for self-defense, despite a purchaser’s unknown background.
Most gun safety laws proposed are widely supported. The Pew Research Center finds about 87% of Americans – irrespective of political affiliation – support universal background checks for all gun purchases; 72% support Red Flag Laws; 57% support banning assault weapons; and 60% of Americans say it is too easy to buy a gun.
Years of study and data support the effectiveness of rational gun safety laws, and the public largely supports that conclusion.
The following are considered to be effective ways to minimize gun carnage without affecting a gun owners right to have a gun:
* Universal gun owner background checks;
* Court-supervised Red Flag Laws;
* Licensing gun owners with background checks, including gun safety training and knowledge of laws regarding gun storage and the legal use of a gun;
* Restricting or banning high-powered weapons of war from the general public.
Licensed gun owners commit fewer gun crimes than non-licensed gun owners. Research shows licensed gun owners in liberal gun states commit significantly fewer gun crimes than non-licensed gun owners in those states (Giffords Law Center).
The lowest gun-violence states require background checks or permits requiring firearm training. Mississippi and Louisiana – strong Republican states – rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively in gun violence.
We know what works and what doesn’t.
Now, what can a citizen do to change this picture? There are well-funded gun violence advocacy groups that have resources and platforms out of reach to most individuals. They pressure lawmakers to act. Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords Law Center and the Brady Campaign support gun safety.
One child dead from a school shooting devastates the immediate family, ongoing trauma to classmates, school staff, friends, relatives and an entire community mourning.
Public opinion is on our side.
Are elected lawmakers?
Lynne Stevens writes a bi-weekly column for The Graham Star. She can be reached via email, geminga@mailfence.com.