The NRA is the face of terrorism in America
The Las Vegas Shooting must be a tipping point to end the terrorism of the white, christian, conservative man exploited by the National Rifle Association
I woke up just a few hours ago to emergency alerts on my phone from news sources breaking the latest gun massacre in Las Vegas, now believed to the most violent and bloody in modern history. I immediately felt that all too familiar feeling to rage, grief, and fear that has become the norm in this post 9/11 world. I searched through my social media to ensure that those I knew in the area were safe, so far it seems they are, but that’s not the case for everyone. I’m sick thinking about the lives lost to this insane obsession with guns and our inability to address the terror it inflicts upon our people.
As of this moment the death toll sits around 58 with over 500 injured, many in critical condition. How is this acceptable? How, in a society that proclaims themselves the defenders of peace and liberty, freedom and civilized order, can this kind of senseless murder be tolerated? How is doing nothing to halt the deaths of countless thousands an acceptable response to human slaughter? The fact remains that the United States of America is under siege and the terrorist organization leading the charge is the NRA, The National Rifle Association.
Yes, I’m calling the NRA a terrorist organization. The NRA is single-handedly manipulating our governing bodies, our laws, our social conversation to suit the needs of their radical, christian, conservative fanaticism. In June of this year the NRA launched a campaign that fell short of calling for civil war. This message of fear and hate continues to inspire white, christian, conservative men.
What happened in Las Vegas is intolerable, it’s happening far too often. “Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature.” If that quote sounds familiar and fitting it should. It’s from George W. Bush’s response to the terror attacks of 9/11 that took the lives of 2,977 people. Today’s act of domestic terrorism is no less evil, but its origins are far more terrifying.
Why am I targeting white, christian, conservative gun owners? Because they are the primary perpetrators of gun violence in the US and the target membership group within the NRA. The NRA through its prominent membership is promoting racial and religious violence based on a fabricated ideology that “Christianity is the most persecuted faith [in the world].” But let’s not rely on broad statements, let’s just look at the numbers.
Since 9/11 the US government through the sophisticated military, security and surveillance apparatus has spent nearly $5 Trillion to prevent terrorism rooted in the radicalized jihad against the US. The death toll, including the 9/11 attacks and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is approximately 60,000 (7,000 military, 6,900 contractor, 43,000 foreign fighters, and 2,977 on 9/11 and 95 civilian deaths due to terrorism in the US since 9/11).
Since 9/11, now 16 years later, the United States government has sat by and done little to nothing about the deaths of 195,000 humans beings. This doesn’t include the nearly 350,000 suicide gun deaths during the same period. If we combine these numbers we’re looking at well over half a million deaths in the US since 9/11 and we do nothing. Our leaders do nothing.
Since 2011 the NRA has spent $3,261,794 on direct campaign contributions, more than $15 million on lobbying, and more than $102 Million on outside spending around campaigns. That’s a total of $120 million promoting and advocating for their radical positions that promote little to no responsibility for gun manufacturers, put guns in the hands of criminals and terrorists and white supremacist secessionists, and readily promote violence upon innocent Americans. The NRA does nothing to protect our children in the face of this evident and horrific terror plot. This is the profile of a terrorist organization dressed up in a suit and tie, radicalizing regular Americans, and militarizing political debate
If only the words of George W. Bush could ring as true in regards to the terrorism plots of the NRA as they did when a foreign enemy attacked our people, “Americans should not expect one battle but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success.” If only our leaders would bravely stand up to domestic terrorism and say, like George W. Bush, “I will not yield. I will not rest. I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people.”
This president, the “true champion” for the NRA, and his administration, along with one the most dysfunctional congresses in our history, have a unique opportunity to strike fear in the hearts of domestic terrorists and organizations like the NRA or to become complicit in the greatest terror plot to dismantle security in the United States.
But the fact remains, terror is now an American product not a foreign threat, and the NRA is at the center of the constant threat with blood on their hands, claiming they were only trying to help. It’s a lie and we’ve allowed it to continue far too long.
