Washington has so far been unable to put an end to mass shootings at American schools, or even curb it: Why? I think it is because the NRA has bought and sold our government for their own benefit. They hide behind the second amendment with the fantasy that we the people need these fire arms so that if need be we can stand up to our government to defend our way of life. Much like what Americans did during the civil war. Are we as a country so naive to think if a few hundred of us or a few thousand of us showed up to the white house, to congress or any town, U.S.A.; fully armed that our Government would allow that? Come on now really. S.W.A.T., F.B.I. and the National Guard and the National Reserves would surround these armed Americans and their guns and shut that down very quickly.
Here in America we have The Bill of Rights which is a list of 10 limits on the government's power.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
What the Founders saw as the natural right of individuals to speak and worship freely was protected by the First Amendment’s prohibitions on Congress from making laws establishing a religion or abridging freedom of speech. For another example, the natural right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in one’s home was safeguarded by the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirements. Yet there are plenty of examples of where The government have side step or eliminated these rights at will. Look at what Trump just signed an executive order aimed at making it easier for churches to participate in politics, The order, Trump said, removes the financial threat faced by tax-exempt churches from the Internal Revenue Service when pastors speak out on behalf of political candidates.
Yet our government has pass laws that counter act this very statement. Republican state legislators across the country are advancing bills that would criminalize or penalize some public protests. In North Dakota, where protesters occupied land around an unfinished section of the Dakota Access oil pipeline, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) on Thursday signed four laws that would stiffen penalties against protests.
Arizona Republicans have introduced a measure to expand racketeering laws, which target organized crime groups, to include rioting. The bill would allow police officers to arrest and the seize the assets of those who organize protest events.
“Robust protest activity is a sign of the health of our republic. Our democracy is literally designed for citizens to get out in the streets and make their voices heard to their legislators,” said Lee Rowland, a senior attorney with the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. “To see legislators in these states make it a priority not to listen to the voices of their constituents, but to silence them, is deeply troubling and fundamentally un-American.” Rowland, who has been following state legislatures for about a dozen years, said the measures represent a “fairly unprecedented level” of action against protesters. The wave of bills come after high-profile protests including the Occupy movement, Black Lives Matter, and the Women's March on Washington, which took place the day after Trump’s inauguration.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
House Republicans have voted 235-180 to overturn an Obama administration that blocked Social Security disability recipients with mental disorders from buying guns. Less than two weeks into Trump's presidency and Republicans have given the mentally ill easier access to guns. So it seems when motivated The U.S> Government has no issues with side stepping or abolishing our bill of rights. when it suits them. That in no way means it suits "We The People"
All told, 205 members of the House and 42 members of the Senate received cash from the gun rights group. In the House, 16 Democrats and 189 Republicans received a contribution from the NRA; in the Senate, 4 Democrats and 38 Republicans got cash from the pro-gun organization. To see the full article please go to http://www.businessinsider.com/nra-money-congress-republicans-2012-12
The National Rifle Association uses campaign expenditures and a rating system based on members' voting histories to exert influence over members of Congress. The NRA grades candidates based on their voting record on gun issues or on a questionnaire.
A+ "Excellent voting record" and "vigorous effort" on gun rights.
A "Solidly pro-gun," backed NRA on key votes or has positive record on gun rights.
AQ Pro-gun rating based solely on a questionnaire and without a voting record.
B May have opposed "pro-gun reform" or backed some gun restrictions.
C "Not necessarily a passing grade." Mixed record" on gun votes.
D "Anti-gun" supporter of "gun control legislation" who "can usually be counted on to vote wrong on key issues."
F "True enemy of gun owners' rights."
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Yet again the U.S. government side steps this right with the U.S.A. Patriot Act. (“Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism ) its authorization of indefinite detentions of immigrants; the permission given law enforcement officers to search a home or business without the owner's or the occupant's consent or knowledge; the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to search telephone, e-mail, and financial records without a court order; and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Again the Patriot Act side steps these as well . A perfect example is The Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Which is a United States military prison located within Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, also referred to as Guantánamo or GTMO (/ˈɡɪtmoʊ/), which is on the coast of Guantánamo Bay in Cuba. Since the inmates have been detained indefinitely without trial and several inmates were allegedly severely tortured, the operations of this camp are considered to be a major breach of human rights by Amnesty International.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Guantanamo Bay detention camp could be considered outside U.S. legal jurisdiction, The administration asserted that detainees were not entitled to any of the protections of the Geneva Conventions. Ensuing U.S. Supreme Court decisions since 2004 have determined otherwise and that the courts have jurisdiction: it ruled in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld on 29 June 2006, that detainees were entitled to the minimal protections listed under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. Following this, on 7 July 2006, the Department of Defense issued an internal memo stating that detainees would, in the future, be entitled to protection under Common Article 3. In January 2018, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep the prison camp open indefinitely.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
There are just far to many examples oh how this has been side steps but a a couple that stand out are the cases of Jeff Mizanskey and Anthony Kelly.
Jeff Mizanskey, a Missouri man who has served 21 years of a life sentence he received for a series of marijuana offenses.
In 1984 Mizanksey sold an ounce of pot to a police informant, which led to a search of his home that turned up eight more ounces. Seven years later, acting on a tip that Mizanskey was selling pot, police obtained a search warrant and found less than three ounces in his home. In 1993 Mizanskey went to a motel room with a friend who planned to buy a few pounds of marijuana. The supplier turned out to be another informant cooperating with police in a sting operation. Under Missouri’s “three strikes” law, those three felonies triggered a mandatory life sentence. As Malin observes, Mizanskey “never hurt anyone, never brandished a weapon, and never sold to children.” Yet he was punished more severely than many rapists and murderers.
Anthony Kelly, likewise was convicted of two minor cocaine offenses as a young man—the first at 19, the second at 21. Four years later, he was visiting a family friend when police searched the house and found 21 small bags of marijuana, totaling about an ounce, in a toilet. A detective accused Kelly of trying to flush the pot, which Kelly denied. That was his third strike.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Yet as I have shown you, when the governments wants to side step the bill of rights they do. So why then can they not do something with our gun laws or lack there of. But for some innate almost primal belief "It's My God Given Right" ideology is reverberated time and time again. I really hate to break it to ya but I don't think our forefathers or God would agree.
Time and time again we hear these same old arguments that seem to bastardize the true spirit of the second amendment. If we look at the second Amendment it states: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
The U.S. government find it easy to deflect any real conversations on gun controls or any laws that limit or restrict any American from owning any type gun and having stock piles of ammo.
Until We The People Of The United States Must Demand the N.R.A. be removed from any contributions to any political candidates on any level we will never even stand a chance on any kind of reform or any kind of real gun control laws here in the United States. How many more children/people must die?
sources: http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/321018-state-legislators-take-steps-to-criminalize-protests
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/09/04/life-in-prison-for-pot-and-other-travesties-of-marijuana-prohibition/#3015c1636d7b
https://www.bing.com/images/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-signs-order-aimed-at-allowing-churches-to-engage-in-more-political-activity/2017/05/04/024ed7c2-30d3-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html?utm_term=.c645bc7a943c
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/02/02/house-republicans-voted-severely-mentally-ill-people-buy-guns.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/nra-congress/
http://www.businessinsider.com/nra-money-congress-republicans-2012-12
It's a complicated matter and one where many people will get very angry about it because they are afraid. I know that I personally am afraid of firearms, but I would have no problem owning my own bow and quiver. I also know that someone doesn't need a gun to harm or kill another being. I would be more afraid of my episodic rage than of someone else having a gun in my house, but it's really subjective.
The argument could be made that more regulation and restriction (which causes more impedement on freedom) would prevent such occurances, but the counter argument would be that people always manage to get illegal arms and if someone else had arms, they would be able to better defend against these psychopaths.
I am on the fence and cannot decide what would be best for a whole nation. I know that in my house, in Canada, we have no firearms, but learning and training to defend one self is important to me. Like I said, I would carry a bow with me to feel safe and draw an arrow on anyone who threatened my safety or hurt someone else around me. I am just more comfortable with that weapon than with another. But a weapon it is.
greats points and I am an N.R.A. member and ave been from the time of getting my junior sportsman's licences as a kid. I believe in in hunting and fishing. I believe in traditional means to feed and defend ones self. I do not think any civilian or retired out or ex military once they are civilians need ar-15 ak-47 and the likes . nor do I think they need to stock pile ammo. There are just far too many come out of service that have different levels of P.S.P.D. and other mental issues. I do not think anyone no matter how old should have free rain even if they do own them. make them have to stay at a shooters club, gun range etc. There is just no need for a 50 caliber anything in yours or mine neighbors bedroom. And far more people need to do as you are saying have a gun safety class. even if you don't own one because your kids or loved ones friends house more times than not does have a gun available. but wonderful points.
Yeah, I totally understand the mental illness issue. I have CPTSD and the times I was scared that I might do something to myself, not because I wanted to die, just because of wanting to self harm, and I am so glad that I never did. I had the means around me to prevent me, but not everyone has a loving family or a safe zone (emotional safe zone) and they can fall down very far with no one to help them. It can be a very dark place. When we are well surrounded, it's still very difficult, but at least we have something that allows us to stay grounded and not lose our minds to weird thoughts and ideas. Instead I took that energy and turned it into something creative. Imagine if that was the way and instead of shooting guns, you turned that mass murderer into something creative and their thoughts and energy changed instantly and then they did not want to hurt others, they just wanted to create instead of destroy. Sadly, there are more psychopaths out there than we know.
I think the term psychopath is not quit fitting ... Look people have bad days , some people just snap. But other have long detailed issues. and here we see more stories where the are allowed guns and ammo no problem as much as they want .. her let's just throw in some c-4. ... j/k but at some point well all have to come to the realization what is or isn't being done by the N.R.A. by congress, by an administration etc. needs to be addressed and changed. There are as many mental issues as there are people. So we have to start making help available and stop de-funding. Then today Trump signed a bill allowing mentally ill people to not be restricted from buying guns. Elderly , Dementia and Alzheimer patients etc. I mean really today he signs it ? while everyone is distracted ... he makes me sick. He is not helping.
No, it doesn't help for sure.
The reason I say psychopath is due to my personal experience with such people. It's true that psychopaths are not psychotic, they will not be overtly in frenzies all the time. They are cold and calculated. They are unafraid to break the law and it's true, they will more likely kill behind the scenes in a more covert fashion. Though there are psychopaths who kill outwardly and overtly to send a message out.
this is very true sadly but we are dealing with so many different issues here not a 1 dimensional problem and a 1 dimensional answer will not solve it
Thank you for this article.
I hope that the government and the many gun supporters will reconsider their point of view.
A good example could be Australia:
"The rate of gun-related suicides and homicides per 100,000 residents in Australia has fallen sharply since gun ownership restrictions were tightened in 1996. "
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/world/australia/australia-gun-ban-shooting.html
We surly can hope but I fear under our current administration they have no interest. It is almost as if they want all the old, sick, weak in body, mind and spirit as well as our poor to just die. Which is odd because many of those groups help to elect them.
Thank you for your reply. good to know I am no t alone with these thoughts. Have a great day and thank you.
If not guns it would just be a bomb, you can't stop a psychopath.
I think that's a very bad argument, because it isn’t based on facts and can’t be discussed in any way. In addition, for a person it is a lower threshold to pull a trigger than to plan a bombing.
We also talk about children and teenagers who kill each other. Would not this argument alone be enough to change something.
maybe not but we should be doing the right thing and trying. not by cutting programs, not by removing the safety nets. I think at this point something else needs to be tried. because 18 schools issues with gun since jan 2018