Yes It’s True: I say we must regulate, but not outlaw guns

“How many deaths will it take ‘til he knows that too many people have died?” — Bob Dylan, “Blowin’ in the Wind”

I’m the kind of guy who believes the most important functions of government are to solve problems and be a fair referee. Everything else politicians do is just window dressing and public relations.

This is the biggest reason why I am appalled by our lawmakers in Washington who after so many reports of mass shootings and deaths, have done absolutely nothing about the problem.

It proves that our political system has deteriorated so badly because of money, which speaks a lot louder to senators and congresspersons than the will of the people.

We have seen and heard the stories and headlines so often about innocent people just going about their business being shot down by a troubled lone gunman. I say gunman because there have been very few instances of women committing these atrocities. And very few people of color as well.

The most common profile of perpetrators of mass shootings is that of a white man filled with a lot of hatred for people who do not look or believe the same as they do. The anger and toxic masculinity is out of control.

One of the most important jobs for government is to protect us from harm, and in this case the people we elect again and again have failed us miserably.

“Monday nothing, Tuesday nothing, Wednesday and Thursday nothing. Friday for a change a little more nothing, Saturday once more nothing.” — Tuli Kupferberg

This weekend I have noticed so many political figures sending their thoughts and prayers in the wake of the tragedies in El Paso and Ohio. As far as I’m concerned, such actions are worthless. If you really care, you’ll do something.

I can already hear defenders of the Second Amendment insist that the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. I was taught a long time ago that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And remember the police who responded to the crises in Dayton and El Paso were on the scene very quickly and took care of business very efficiently. Despite that, nine died in Dayton and 20 in El Paso.

I can already hear those who maintain, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” Then we get to see and hear explanations about mental illness and video games, even though these things are widespread all over the world, yet no other country has the same level of problems with mass shootings as does the U.S.

“Ain’t no pig fag legislator gonna say I can’t have guns” — The Fugs, “Johnny Pissoff Meets the Red Angel.”

I insist on regulating guns, who can use them and what kind can be used in civilian society. I want to see a panel of experts decide which firearms are acceptable in society and which should be confined to military operations.

We should be smart about the Second Amendment, which is indeed an amendment and not part of the original Constitution. We don’t seem to have problem with the First Amendment regulated to prohibit yelling fire in a crowded theater and to prohibit slander, yet we cling to the misguided notion that the right to own a gun should be 100 percent with no conditions.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) 50 years ago seemed to be a benign organization that emphasized proper and safe use of firearms for young people, a worthy cause indeed. But over the past 25 years it has become more of a special interest lobbying effectively to be able to sell guns. It’s done such a good job that the entire Republican Party has done absolutely nothing to try to stop mass shootings, which as of Sunday morning reached 251 for this year alone.

I am reluctant these days to go out into public to places where incidents such as too many endured in Texas and Ohio occurred this past weekend. There are too many angry white guys out there and I see and read too many frightening posts from “friends” on Facebook that just might go over the top and so something so heinous.

However, one Facebook friend today outlined this fear:

“I see people, usually old white men holding signs of what they claim are aborted fetuses to intimidate women going into Planned Parenthood a couple times a twice a week. It’s their ‘right.’
“Now. Can you imagine if I protested outside gun shops and ranges with pictures of dead gunshot victims? I’d certainly be harassed. If not shot myself.”

Our beloved country is being hijacked by fear, hatred and ignorance. We’ve got to do something about it.

I propose members of Congress be forced to go back to Washington from their six-week vacations to take up emergency legislation to reinstate the assault weapons ban enacted in 1994 but rescinded 10 years afterward, and to take up universal background checks.

To be sure, these two moves would not end gun violence in this sick country, but I sincerely believe it would severely reduce such horrific developments. That’s a hell of lot better than sitting on our hands and collectively declaring there’s nothing we can do. We’ve done exactly that for far too long.