Another gun editorial
Just over a month ago, 58 people were slaughtered in Las Vegas when Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 concertgoers. The tragedy claimed not only the lives of innocent people, but also the title for the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Surely legislators would acknowledge the urgency for gun reform.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
We saw a glimpse of hope when a bill that would ban bump fire stocks (gun accessories that allow semi-automatic weapons to shoot more rapidly like automatic ones) had bipartisan support in Congress. With little to no surprise, this legislation was abandoned.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) had opposed the proposed bump fire stock ban, claiming the legislation could ban commonly owned gun accessories.
Although the NRA has no official political power, the organization acts as the man behind the curtain. In exchange for political agenda, the NRA dishes out enormous campaign contributions. Over the course of their time in office, Republicans have seen some pretty hefty checks. At the top of the list according to The New York Times, is Arizona Senator John McCain, who has received close to $8 million. Just like many other Republicans, McCain called for a time of prayer after the Las Vegas massacre.
Haven’t we seen enough people die to realize that praying or lowering flags hasn’t been doing anything?
So many things should have prevented the gunman who opened fire in the First Baptist Church almost two weeks ago. It is utterly heart breaking to think that this can and will happen again.
There is a bigger problem at play, and to think things could be uglier than what has only been described in this article is unsettling.
Despite new legislation almost being passed and people passionately speaking out about gun violence like we have so many times already, the constant argument that “guns kill people, people don’t” and the power of the NRA over the government creates this vicious cycle.
Though this all seems repetitive and, quite frankly, pointless, we must continue to use our voices to take a stand. We must continue to talk about gun violence in America, however exhausting it may be. We cannot be silent. We will not stand by as more people die. Thoughts and prayers, well wishes and a lack of action aren’t saving people’s lives and the violence has to stop.