There have been calls for greater gun control following Columbine, Virginia Tech, Tucson, Aurora, CO, and others. But they usually pass in a week or so, and nothing changes.
This time -- it may accomplish something. President Obama, some Republicans in Congress, TV commentators, and even the judge who held the trial for Gabrielle Gifford's shooter have been calling for new control laws, at least on assault weapons. Some of them have even been speaking boldly about what the NRA really does -- which is to act as a lobbyist for the manufacturers and the retailers of these weapons.
Now the NRA has spoken. Executive VP Wayne LaPierre held a news conference yesterday. Did he offer the expected gesture toward a modicum of gun control -- or at least emphasize the need for safety training and preventing mentally ill persons from getting guns?
Absolutely not. He went the other way.
The solution to our violence and gun problem is: MORE GUNS.Every school in this country should have armed guards; and the principals also should be armed. That's the NRA's solution.
This is not even what the majority of NRA members would say. And it certainly is not what the nation needed to hear.
It's certainly arguable that no conceivably-passable regulatory laws could have prevented Adam Lanza from doing what he did. He used guns that had been legally purchased by his mother. And he killed her -- possibly because she was trying to prevent his taking her guns. She reportedly handled them properly and kept them secure. But Adam lived with her and he knew how to gain access to them.
That is not the point. The point is that there are too many guns, no one needs to have assault weapons designed only to kill many people quickly, and it's time we at least reinstate the ban on such weapons that we once had. If the emotions stirred by this tragedy serve to restore some sane regulations, let's do it while we can.
Ralph
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