If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
In the gun debate, the "criminals will get guns and gun deaths will occur no matter what" argument is one that I hear often. There is extensive social science data demonstrating that policy interventions -- namely, regulation -- make for a healthier, safer society.
Mass shootings are heartbreaking and tragic, but they are not as prevalent as the killings that occur daily across American inner cities. Politicians seem to only focus on high-profile tragedies when they are presented with a public demand to get something done that might actually benefit the American people.
A window of opportunity opened after the heavy price paid by innocent young children in Sandy Hook and many more across the country. When a rare window opens, we must go through it otherwise countless lives will be lost before it opens again.
Owning a gun can indeed provide personal protection and can make sense for individuals, but does not make sense for society as a whole.
A vote to allow debate is not a vote for gun control. And many Republicans, and some Democrats, remain opposed to any such legislation, including background checks.
It is truly incredible to see women everywhere -- mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts and daughters -- speaking up and speak out. We will never forget Newtown. We will never "get over" Newtown. And we have really long attention spans. Are you listening, Congress?
A new law that is being proposed says the buyer has to wait three days if he wants to buy a gun that when you point it at a human being and pull the trigger you can kill him. Or her. Or that child there.
Speaking of Ding Dongs and the New York City mayor's office, Anthony Weiner is now exploring his own... um.... chances of winning the mayor's race, apparently. Late-night comics everywhere are rejoicing, one assumes.
As an anthropologist raised around firearms, I'm comfortable with arms control. I'd just like to see it done Constitutionally and in accordance with the rights of The People.
To trust the common man with the right to keep and bear arms is emblematic of the kind of nation we intended ourselves to be, a democracy in which governance is in the purview of that same man.
Anyone that really thinks holding onto their assault riffle is going to protect them from the government is in such deep denial of the obvious advancements in technology and needs to acknowledge we are no longer living in 1789.
This well-meaning program is a serious mistake for two reasons. First, it is no more than a politically correct, cosmetic solution that distracts attention from what really needs to be done. Second, it will likely wind up doing much more harm than good.
I am so happy to shed light on what fellow conservatives feel about gun control! Obviously, it's no good. I mean, why not give guns to kids?
What have I, as a mother and a pastor, learned about care for suicide survivors in the four years since my son's death? As with almost any other form of care for others, the true gift in "talking about suicide" is offered in the form of "listening about suicide."
I witnessed first-hand how a community can change and make a difference in the lives of its members, and if there is determination and a just cause, the community can prevail.
Today, on the National Mall, I stood with fellow faith leaders, including clergy from Newtown, to remember lives lost at Sandy Hook elementary school and the 3,364 gun deaths that have happened since.
