By BARBARA SIMPSON
It’s happened again, the second time in two days — a mass shooting. One at a supermarket in New York State and then another, at a church in Southern California.
The first, clearly, was done by an 18-year-old male who had a racial vendetta in mind. Most victims were black. He fatally shot 10. He’s in custody and so is his weapon.
A question about his history has been raised, as police confirm that last year, he made shooting threats against his high school and was taken into custody. He was hospitalized for a short time but then was released and apparently has not been under surveillance. Why that has been the case is a matter for investigation.
The second shooting in southern California, has not had a motive noted for it as of Sunday evening, although the shooter and his weapons are in police custody. He is said to be an Asian male in his sixties, and he carried two guns. The shooting was in the Geneva Presbyterian Church which has a largely Thai congregation. One person was killed and five seriously/critically injured.
In addition, there were four other mass shooting over last weekend — those in the Midwest — after an NBA Game and after a community celebration and other popular gatherings. The bottom line in all of these events is that a civilian or several took it upon themselves to shoot at innocent people just for the kicks. Perhaps for a feeling of power, perhaps for fun. Regardless, they had no qualms about taking lives and injuring innocent people.
At this point, there is no public information as to whether their weapons had been obtained legally or by other means, but the reality is that these events will lead to a massive push by state politicians and governments and the feds, to put more restrictions on the possession of firearms by American citizens.
It will bring up the usual controversy over the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Constitution.
After the massive shooting in downtown Sacramento, Calif., in April, which left six dead and at least twelve wounded, President Biden spoke out strongly, urging Congress to pass more gun control. He wants ghost guns, assault weapons, and high-capacity magazines banned. He is demanding background checks on all gun sales and says he wants to repeal gun manufacturers immunity from liability.
If you live in California, you are already subject to those restrictions — and more. There is a 10-day waiting period for a purchase and a limit on how many guns you can buy each month. You also need a background check before you can buy ammunition.
Do you want a “concealed carry permit”? You need to provide a good reason for it. If you are a teacher or a student and you want to carry a gun for self-defense on campus and in the classroom — forget it. That’s banned.
All that does is leave the good kids and adults at the mercy of those who would break the law and carry guns any time they want.
I have known people who teach in the California schools, and believe me, there are real problems with dangerous kids threatening the good ones — and the teachers — with lethal weapons.
The fact that the shootings continue despite the draconian laws already on the books shows that there is a greater problem than we are ready to admit.
Perhaps we should look more closely at the people owning/having/carrying the guns. What is their mindset? Are they on drugs (legal or not) which would affect their thinking and behavior? Are they drunk? Are they mentally impaired?
The reality is we already have laws against alcohol and drug abuse yet it exists and it is growing. Has anyone looked at the enormous death toll annually from fentanyl? The drug is being moved across our southern border in enormous quantities by the drug cartels, yet there is little if any response by the feds to close our border. Just ask any sheriff in those border counties what they think of the feds. I have and they are not happy and don’t see things getting any better, both for law enforcement or for the average American families living in the southern parts of our border states.
The reality is that the problem with what crosses the border isn’t just a “border” problem. Whether you’re talking about guns being brought into our country (and they are) or the movement of drugs (which is enormous) — to say nothing of the thousands of illegal immigrants crossing the border daily — the open border presents the entire country with criminal problems that are getting harder and harder to control.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has backed new legislation which would OK personal lawsuits against the manufacturers or sellers of “illegal” assault rifles or ghost guns. It’s Senate Bill 1327 but it really would do nothing — current law already covers those committing criminal acts in the state and federal law prohibits lawsuits against manufacturers of legal firearms. But consider that Newsom is running for office and wants to do “something”!
So, what can we expect — as the politicians on state and federal levels rant about the dangers of guns? The reality is that the laws we have do nothing to stop criminals who intend to do what they will, regardless of the law. That’s what makes them criminals — not the guns they use. Until we pursue an all-out campaign to get them and lock them up for long periods, the crime sprees will continue and innocent people — of all colors and ethnicities — will continue to be the victims. And good, law-abiding citizens will continue to have their legal rights abridged.
There is something intrinsically wrong in that scenario and we must make a change.
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