The Gun Control Debate Will Not End Unless Money Is Taken Out Of Washington
It only took another tragedy and 15h of filibuster for congress to painfully labor out 4 proposals that most likely are going to die in Senate. 2 of them come from Republicans. These 2 bills (one of them called “a serious solution” by Mitch McConnell) are aimed to show that politicians are “taking matters seriously” while also taking all that money from NRA. It is yet another confirmation that money and politics should not be married and that it is a huge issue in Washington.
There are several points I’d like to address regarding specifically gun control arguments here:
1. Second amendment
Nobody is asking to fully repeal second amendment. However it is currently easier to buy a gun than to get an abortion if you were raped (because rape is something that God intended, right US Senate nominee Richard Mourdock?).
2. What if there is a person who breaks into your house. Wouldn’t you want to have a gun to defend yourself? Yes, Emily Miller, this was a question you asked on Real Time last week. See the second video below at 3:45
Well, what are the odds of that happening? Also, these odds are going to be minuscule if the right legislation is in place.
3. All we can do is pray (as suggested by so many politicians in the US).
No. This is not what you should or just can do. You are elected to bring change and on this occasion you don’t have a right to feel sorry for victims or their families. You are as responsible for these shootings as a person pulling a trigger, if not more. Hassan Minhaj sums it up nicely here. Start watching from 18:30. Or watch the entire thing, it’s good too:
4. Here is the point Emily Miller made on Real Time with Bill Maher last week:
Scroll to 1:50
There is no gun control law that has been proven to reduce gun crime (hello? What about Australia?). She did correct herself saying that no gun control law IN AMERICA has reduced gun crime. Well, maybe because there hasn’t been any decent law in place. It’s like saying that you have never tried exercising, but you are positive it would have no effect on your fitness.
5. “Unfortunately this could happen anywhere in the world and today was Orlando’s term.” Sen. Marco Rubio (R). This is going to keep happening while this is the response (excuse) politicians are going to come up with.
It felt like he was describing a tornado or some other natural disaster. No, Marco — this was not just Orlando’s turn. It should not be anybody’s turn and you and your fellow Republicans can prevent this. All you have to do is get your soul back from the demon you sold it to.
Now, there are 4 bills pending the vote today. Similar voting has been done after St. Bernardino shooting and nothing was done. NOTHING! It all died just like victims of those shootings. And the history is set to repeat itself today.
I am really surprised about people not doing anything about this issue. “Currently, 85% of Americans — including large majorities of Democrats (88%) and Republicans (79%) — favor expanded background checks, little changed from May 2013 (81%)” (Pew Research Center, 2015, para. 1). Where are you people? It’s not enough to just fill out the pole.
All you Bernie and Hilary fans — this is your chance to change things around during next local elections. Congress is an absolute disgrace, so distant from everyday lives of ordinary Americans. The hypocrisy of it all is staggering. I just don’t understand how people can be so heartle$$. Except Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren — you girls are totally cool and we need more of you.
The advise “let’s pray for victims and their families” sounds so absurd. How about changing things instead, making communities safer. Let’s make it harder for people to get hurt. In that case it will be easier to defend yourself too. Without a gun. Then hopefully headlines like below are going to become rare breaking news:
