Yesterday morning, President Obama established a taskforce on gun violence led by Vice President Biden. It's an encouraging step, but it's a far cry from a solution.
The only thing that can push a real solution is us. President Obama said as much himself. "If we are going to change things," he said, "it is going to take a wave of Americans ... standing up and saying 'enough' on behalf of our kids."
Will Obama's taskforce win out over the National Rife Association's targeted messaging strategy?
On Friday, Dec. 21, the NRA will hold its first a press conference after the Newtown, Conn., massacre -- and America's first reasonable conversation on stronger gun laws will come to an end.
Here's the NRA messaging strategy:
Step 1: After a mass shooting of Americans, NRA officials say nothing for one week. During that week, they position NRA-supporting politicians to stake out an extreme goal of the gun lobby and claim it as one end of a reasonable argument (for example, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell said Virginia should consider "arming teachers, principals and other school staff").
Step 2: Finally, a week after the massacre, NRA officials hold a press conference in which they express grief, astonishment, horror and concede that something must be done -- and it ultimately involves selling more guns, not less.
So this Friday, America's first real conversation on stronger gun laws will come to an end. NRA lobbyists will take control again and that will be that. We won't even be finished burying the 20 first-graders and their teachers murdered at Newtown.
Is there anyone out there who would like this story to have a different ending?
If we want a different ending to the Newtown massacre, we are doing to have to do it ourselves. We are going to have to make time this Christmas to do something uncomfortable. Maybe something we haven't done before.
I can't tell you what to do; I can only tell you where it needs to end up -- at the White House.
The message is simple: America needs stronger gun laws. By Christmas, Congress needs to 1) renew the assault weapons ban and 2) pass universal background checks on all gun purchases. It will take clear leadership from President Obama for this to happen.
For most of its history, the National Rifle Association served its 1957 motto: "Firearms Safety Education, Marksmanship Training, Shooting for Recreation.
In the 1970s, it was taken over by far-Right Goldwater Republicans to use as their political play toy. Over the last 40 years, it has systematically defaced and distorted the Second Amendment. And it has also gotten into bed with weapons manufacturers for whom hunting rifles and sports guns are quaint side-line products.
Most people who have a membership with the NRA got it though taking a responsible gun safety course. But you don't have to be an NRA member to be a responsible gun owner.
If you are a responsible gun owner and an NRA member, now is your time to lead. It's time to publicly renounce the NRA. Responsible gun owners don't need the NRA. They need strong and reasonable gun safety laws -- what the NRA used to advocate on and has abandoned.
It's time to burn your NRA membership card. Cut it up. Shred it. And let America know: Make a video. Post it online.
On Friday, we may well see the young, fit, father-of-two NRA representative Chris W. Cox express that he is "shocked, saddened, and heartbroken" over the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. He will assure us that the NRA will take substantive steps to ensure that something like this never happens again -- to his kids or your kids. He'll tout additional money for mental health services and stronger security in schools. He'll pledge to work in a bipartisan manner with the president and members of Congress for meaningful change.
It will all be a lie. If you want a different end to this story, you have to make it happen. By Christmas.
Rose Marie Berger is author of ' Who Killed Donte Manning? The Story of an American Neighborhood.' She lives in Washington, D.C.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.