Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families touched by the recent gun violence at Northern Illinois University. At a time when the country confronts one mass shooting after another -- six separate multiple murders across the country in just the first two weeks of February -- the nation is faced with a critical choice:
Do we give up and say we can't do anything about these tragedies? Or do we take common-sense steps today to make it harder for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons?
Every day in America, 32 people are murdered with guns. That's a daily Virginia Tech. This tragic figure is not due to natural or mysterious forces beyond our control. People cause this problem and people can fix it.
Over the years, the Brady Campaign has proposed numerous common-sense measures to reduce and prevent gun violence. It may be difficult to stop "suicide shooters" like the Northern Illinois University killer, but there are steps we can take as a nation.
We can require background checks for every gun transaction in America. Current federal law requires that only federally licensed gun dealers do a computer check on the criminal backgrounds of purchasers who buy guns from them. Yet there is no such restriction on unlicensed sellers who sell guns at gun shows, from the trunk of their cars or at their kitchen tables. If we want to make it harder to dangerous people to get dangerous weapons, we must close this loophole, and require that all gun buyers undergo a background check.
We can limit bulk purchases of handguns to cut down on the illegal gun trade [pdf]. Gun buyers currently have no federal limits on the number of guns they can buy at one time. Gun traffickers take advantage of the unlimited number of guns they can purchase at a time in order to sell guns to criminals and gangs. Combine this weakness in the law with the use of "straw purchasers" or with unlicensed sellers, and a gun trafficker can buy dozens of cheap handguns at a time and re-sell them on the street at a hefty markup. Who personally needs more than 12 or even 24 handguns per year? We should limit bulk purchases of handguns to cut down on gun trafficking and the supply of weapons to the illegal market.
We can also ban the sale of military-style assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines. One thing the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University shooters had in common was that they both used high capacity ammunition magazines that would have been prohibited under the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that expired in 2004. Furthermore, there is no reason that weapons of war should be made easily available to citizens who are not police officers or in the military. We should support our local law enforcement officers as they put their lives on the line to protect ours, and reduce the chances that they will be out-gunned on our streets by these high-powered firearms.
The Northern Illinois University shooting happened on the anniversary of Chicago's "St. Valentine's Day Massacre," February 14, 1929, and a day before the anniversary of the attempted assassination of President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the killing of Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak on February 15, 1933. Those events led to one of the few gun control laws still on the books, the National Firearms Act of 1934. Our recent gun violence should also lead us to take action.
As we grieve with the victims and families of this latest mass shooting, I call on college and university presidents across America to join with us in demanding that candidates for president, the U.S. Congress, and state legislatures across the country support meaningful action to prevent gun violence, such as the measures listed above.
Our gun laws today are tragically weak. Much more could be done to help make our schools and communities safer.
(Note to readers: This entry, along with past entries, has been co-posted on bradycampaign.org/blog and the Huffington Post.)
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Why is Kelli posting as both "solitude" and "shedances"?
Hi D. I was afraid you were going to miss all the fun. There's a new blog, BTW.
We thought solitude was Kelli too, at first.
Shows how smart you guys are, eh ...
She isn't.
K
No, I think so. I've noticed many significant similarities in writing style and usage of phrases. Among them:
"Go figure."
"For shame."
"Tread lightly" in reference to making allegations about Josh Sugarmann's FFL.
"Ya know" or "y'know" at end of sentences.
"Comic relief for the day" or "daily comic relief" in reference to reading this forum.
"Rolls eyes" or "rolling my eyes".
Intentional misspelling of others aliases, usually into a derogatory form.
"The semi-automatic weapons' menacing looks, coupled with the public's confusion over fully automatic machine guns versus semi-automatic assault weapons " anything that looks like a machine gun is assumed to be a machine gun " can only increase that chance of public support for restrictions on these weapons." " Josh Sugarman, 1988, Violence Policy Center.
KInd of makes you wonder what this guy is doing with a Federal Firearms License, and a cache of these same Brady Assault Weapons stashed at some lady's house in Arlington.
His deliberately trying to dupe the public with misinformation is obvious, if you read the quote.
mike101; These people will not be happy until all guns are gone. Then their masters can rule unimpeded. 1776
Hey Kelli, your "good guy" keeps a .45 ACP Evil Black Brady Assault Pistol, with what appears to be a large capacity magazine filled with hollow point "Cop Killer" ammo in his pajamas, and a big old shotgun "by the bed". That doesn't sound like it's securely locked Kelli. Not very responsible, I must say.
He bought the pistol from his "unlicensed dealer" cousin.
http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2001037798656342440
All I have is a lousy little revolver in the night-stand drawer.
What must HE be compensating for?
Reasonable voices like this one.
"Sorry for the delayed reply mikey. Sometimes I just get so full of hate and rage that I have to go beat up a homeless vet rather than post here. Two different types of stress relief, y'know."
Pancakes? Is that what their calling it these days?
heh heh
News Flash for 'solitude' (and Keli as well!):
Words often have SEVERAL somewhat different meanings! Your challenge seems to be identifying the correct meaning, based on the context where the word in question is used.
BASED ON CONTEXT, here is the correct meaning for the word 'elitist:'
"A person that believes that members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."
You, madam, are an elitist! You hold that, because of your special place in society or special gifts or special "whatever," you deserve to be held to a different standard than the rest of us unwashed commoners! You NEED a firearm! You NEED that firearm to be able to defend yourself from the rest of us law-abiding, honest, honorable 'loons' who just happen to believe that the Bill of Rights along with the writings of the Founding Fathers and numerous Supreme Court decisions (enumerated on this very forum innumerable times) mean something! The rest of us just WANT one because we feel inadequate or weak or cowardly.
Based on that same set of standards, you might also be accurately described as paranoid a hypocrite and a liar! Or maybe just plain pathetic! But then, that's just my opinion!
Old SF MJT
Still waiting for a response, Kelli:
So Kelli, you would have rathered seen these two women raped instead of being saved by a law-abiding, non-LEO citizen with a leagally owned firearm?
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/19/e19attackweb/
Media people aren't all bad. Here's an interesting, and timely piece from my favorite investigative reporter.
http://www.nysun.com/article/71908
solitude, Kelli-
Please take your seats. Class is about to begin again at Kelli University....
Now, you would think that with the Virginia Tech tragedy, gun control legislation would be passing quite easily in the Commonwealth. Especially since I've been hearing from the both of you about the "vast majority of Americans favoring gun control."
Then why is Virginia trying to pass legislation which REDUCES "gun free zones" instead of trying to create more?
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?081+ful+SB476ER+hil
Virginia wants to let the law-abiding carry concealed into restaurants now, provided they are not consuming alcohol. Maybe THIS is really the "will of the people(tm)?"
Care to explain? Early recess for the one who answers first.
Hat tip to Uncle.
Solitude,
I believe that molon's comment reveals his concerns about losing ground in this important discussion on American gun issues/gun violence; & so now, he resorts to demoralization &/or ridicule to try & usurp those with differing opinions.
I'm actually surprised, btw, that he is apparently affording me so much power (albeit in a sarcastic tone, I do hear that...), by naming his fantasy-university after me (eg., Kelli University) ~ esp. when he clearly wants is to take such power away from gun control supporters ... Perhaps, he's accidentally doing what is commonly referred to as 'shooting oneself in the foot' in order to make his case? Dumb.
K
"I believe that molon's comment reveals his concerns about losing ground in this important discussion on American gun issues/gun violence; & so now, he resorts to demoralization &/or ridicule to try & usurp those with differing opinions."
Hugh?
Oops ~ apparently, I deleted part of my above sentence ...
Line should've read: "... he resorts to demoralization &/or ridicule to try & usurp other's rights to post differing opinions."
Busy morning on a slow computer. I'll check back later, Solitude & the Brady Campaign. Thanks.
K
If anyone would like to see those FBI, Government Conspiracy, Right-Wing Wacko, crime statistics again, here they are. Click on USA Crime.
http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/
I would have posted sooner, but I was waiting for the Black Helicopters to drop of the Top-Top-Super-Secret link.
mike101; I live in the Taos New Mexico area. the stats for 1995 are a lie . there were 5 murders. 1776
Cool link. Thanks.
"Guncrowd ~ It really doesn't have to be an "either/or" situation ... that is, citizens can be empowered and still have a society with proper laws, limits. Some of you sound too extreme in your pro-gun views. Extremism is difficult to understand; let alone, debate."
Who is the extremist? Someone who supports the Constitution, or someone who wants the government to violate it?
"Moreover, I'm sure Paul Helmke & others at the Brady Campaign understand important concerns regarding a government not playing too large a role in the regulation of our lives (in this case, firearms-type rights)."
Sure they understand. That's why they support the DC gun ban, and every other ban that has come down the pike. That's why they want all kinds of ridiculous laws against mere accessories, like pistol-grips and "barrel shrouds". That's why they want to ban "assault rifles" without even knowing what an assault rifle is.
No, they don't want the government playing to large a role in our lives.
Keep this in mind, Kelli. We are not trying to arm you. You (and the BC) are trying to disarm us.
Guncrowd ~ It really doesn't have to be an "either/or" situation ... that is, citizens can be empowered and still have a society with proper laws, limits. Some of you sound too extreme in your pro-gun views. Extremism is difficult to understand; let alone, debate.
Moreover, I'm sure Paul Helmke & others at the Brady Campaign understand important concerns regarding a government not playing too large a role in the regulation of our lives (in this case, firearms-type rights). And, I have no doubt that the Campaign has already taken into account our country's important origins on arms, esp. with respect to British colonialism (eg., a purposely weak centralized governmental structure...) ~ and understands, too, how this history influences modernday gun politics.
At the same time, we all learn from public opinion. And, most Americans indicate they support gun control and are concerned about gun violence. I personally feel that people want our government, lawmakers to help address gun issues, in our nation as a whole ... and in respective communities. So when it comes to places like the District of Columbia, for example, we should all support its right to enact handgun ordinances ... or everyone in this country loses.
It's getting late. In a hurry now ~ that's all I have time for today. Disregard any typos I may have missed. Thanks Huffington Post.
K
The problem is there are predators, i.e. psychopathic individuals, who will totally ignore any laws or regulations. (Examples: Ted Bundy, the Boston Strangler, Jeffrey Dahmer,etc.) These individuals find gun-free zones to be victim-disarmament zones, where they are free to prey on the defenseless.
Restraining orders do not work, many women have been murdered, inspite of restraining orders. Some of the murders have been shootings, but many are stabbings, strangulation, or blunt intrument trauma. It may take as much as 45 minutes for a law enforcement officer to arrive on the scene (case in Washington, D.C). It may take an assailant only a few seconds to mortally wound his victim.
It is very grim, but the police cannot be everywhere at once.
Nor are they under any legal obligation to provide protection for anyone.
So sayeth the Supreme Court.
Incrementalism--one reasonable law and then another "reasonable" law and on and on till all rights are diminutized. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I guess we just keep having to learn this lesson over and over again. The next couple of years will be very interesting as Americans wake up to the loss of liberties and their commensurate impotence. When it come down to it I'd rather have a few friends with some good 50 cal machine guns than be under the jack boot of a moronic black suited jerk with a badge and fancy machine gun.
I live in a constitutional republic, where, unlike in a democracy, public opinion isn't enough to deprive me of my rights. A representative government like ours is designed so the congressmen and women ought to best represent their constituents, but NEVER support notions that conflict with the nation's Constitution.
Thanks for playing.
"So when it comes to places like the District of Columbia, for example, we should all support its right to enact handgun ordinances ... or everyone in this country loses."
It's a BAN, Kelli, not an ordinance.
I hope this next sentence doesn't come as a shock to you, mike01 ... but not everyone feels that limits & bans on specific types of firearms are unconstitutional or violate the 2nd Amendment purpose. I believe the District had the right to enact such gun laws to protect its citizenry ... but we will all have to wait now and see what the SC justices come out with, in terms of a decision (reversal, hopefully) & opinions on this heated issue.
K
WOW! What do ya' know! HUFFPO is eating my posts again! I guess Swell Kel is the only one allowed to be "mean" around here!
Why they oppose CCW. They can't control themselves:
FEBRUARY 25--Meet Jose Antonio Ortiz. The Pennsylvania man allegedly stabbed his brother-in-law in the stomach after the pair quarreled about their respective support of Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. According to cops, Ortiz, 28, stabbed Sean Shurelds last Thursday night in the kitchen of an Upper Providence Township home. According to a criminal complaint, a copy of which you'll find here, the 41-year-old Shurelds, an Obama supporter, told Ortiz that the Illinois senator was "trashing" Clinton (apparently in regard to recent primary and caucus results). Ortiz, a Clinton supporter, replied that "Obama was not a realist." While not exactly fighting words, the verbal political tiff led to some mutual choking and punching. And, allegedly, a stabbing in the abdomen. Ortiz, pictured in the mug shot below, was charged with a felony aggravated assault count and two misdemeanors and jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail. Shurelds was flown to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0225081ortiz1.html
Still waiting for a response, Kelli:
So Kelli, you would have rathered seen these two women raped instead of being saved by a law-abiding, non-LEO citizen with a leagally owned firearm?
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/19/e19attackweb/
I don't make light of rape. And I don't think it's at all funny that you keep posting on such a possibility. Clear enough, "molon"?
It'll have to be.
K
Ahh but Kelli feels that, women should say to the rapist, could you hold that thought for one minute I"d like to freshen up a-little. Smoke a "Marlboro" call the cops. So make yourself a drink.
Yea right this works every time, of course we are assuming you live in fantasy land or perhaps Haddonfield NJ.
Kelli every second counts in these horrible situations, that you obviously have never had the misfortune experience. Trust me you would have a different attitude had you ever been. And you would realize the Lies the Brady"s Joyce foundation, and Ceasefire and the other anti freedom hate groups spew would be just that Lies¦.
~Melody~
Posted February 21, 2008 | 03:14 PM (EST)