I like incentives. The stick: compensatory damages to victims by gun manufacturers, sellers, and brokers. Make ‘em buy insurance (a new industry!) and pass the “true cost” of all this to the consumer. The carrot: if we can afford billions for Ukraine, we can buy back weapons at four times their value (limited time offer!). If you trade in more than one gun, the government will throw in as a bonus a fifth of Kentucky bourbon( what say you, Mitch?). Then, let’s all go for Constitutional Originalism! You must by law Keep your assault weapon in your own private footlocker at the local armory in order to maintain our “well-regulated militia.”( thank you for your service!!). You can go over there any time and stroke it, and fire it on a taxpayer supported firing range under the supervision of the local National Guard.
Or, we can do candles/flowers/letters piled on the fence, thoughts and prayers, active shooter drills, beefed up crisis counseling, and more political calculation.
What is a country with such enormous power, stupendous abundance, yet disregards its children s’ health and safety because it won’t even exercise common sense? Answer: a failed society. Watch: nothing will change.
The successful lawsuit by nine Sandy Hook families against Remington may pave the way for holding gun makers accountable in spite of the federal immunity protection granted gun makers by Congress. The suit used Connecticut’s consumer protection laws to argue that Remington promoted sales of the weapon by appealing to troubled men like the Sandy Hook killer. Another precedent is the successful Minnesota tobacco litigation in the 1990s. That suit, too, used the state’s consumer protection laws to win a major judgment and to force disclosure of confidential tobacco industry documents.
A friend has a young granddaughter in Houston. He told me that her Mom - my friend’s daughter - bought a bulletproof backpack for the little girl, one that is designed to be on the back if she is running from danger or can swing around to the front if the threat is coming at her. What are we leaving our kids and grandkids?
Tom, I totally agree with your comments. Of course thoughts and prayers don't work. They never have and never will. Like Jim Graves, I would add the outright ban on any sort of military weapon to your list of needed legislative action.
I agree, and do mention that in the article. However, first things first. If we could get some of the other gun safety laws noted above and improved mental health services, that would make a huge difference. Then, we can pursue the challenging issue of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Thank you for your your thoughtful approach to ending the recurring slaughter of America’s children. Products, from car seats and baby beds to trampolines and lead filled jewelry are recalled or banned because they may endanger, harm or kill children. But we barely regulate the guns that kill children and adults in schools, shopping centers, churches, and the list goes on.
We need you and other men and women of courage to pull the NRA out from its hiding place behind the Second Amendment and end the carnage.
And, we need voters to make gun safety a priority issue in campaigns and on Election Day, even if it means crossing party lines or giving up on an issue of self-interest. People need to support candidates who will put gun safety ahead of their political careers.
Well said, Tom, as always. One proposal that might satisfy the originalists is to apply the right to bear arms to the set of weapons known to the framers of the Constitution. No restrictions on purchase of knives, swords and muzzle-loading single-shot rifles and pistols. Heck, let 'em have bayonets too.. Then we could impose an outright ban and require the surrender of all those assault rifles and automatic weapons, which can only be described as weapons of mass destruction. I'm actually surprised the gun nuts don't demand the right to own grenade launchers, surface-to-air missiles and low-yield tactical nuclear weapons. Probably shouldn't give them any ideas.
Thanks; I cannot even write the words except to support your suggestions. Now with grandkids I worry all the time as it can happen anywhere, anytime to anyone. Prayers and thoughts for the families is all I can offer at this moment. It is devastating.
It is so discouraging and frustrating. We were caring for two of our grandkids (1 and 5 years old) this past weekend. When I heard the news from Texas, I couldn’t stop thinking about our little girls.
Thank you for your well-written newsletter. While these senseless tragedies have always shook me to my core, I just became a grandma 12 days ago, so this horrific attack affected me even more. I promise I do not want this to happen, but if some crazed AR-15 toting person crashed into the school of a child or grandchild of one of 2nd amendment do or die congressional reps, maybe they'd change their tune.
Tom, I agree with all of your suggestions - totally needed and very likely supported by the majority of voters. I would add the banning of assault rifles, i.e. military style firearms, with your list of priorities. It is a sad day on so many fronts - thank you for all that you do!
I like incentives. The stick: compensatory damages to victims by gun manufacturers, sellers, and brokers. Make ‘em buy insurance (a new industry!) and pass the “true cost” of all this to the consumer. The carrot: if we can afford billions for Ukraine, we can buy back weapons at four times their value (limited time offer!). If you trade in more than one gun, the government will throw in as a bonus a fifth of Kentucky bourbon( what say you, Mitch?). Then, let’s all go for Constitutional Originalism! You must by law Keep your assault weapon in your own private footlocker at the local armory in order to maintain our “well-regulated militia.”( thank you for your service!!). You can go over there any time and stroke it, and fire it on a taxpayer supported firing range under the supervision of the local National Guard.
Or, we can do candles/flowers/letters piled on the fence, thoughts and prayers, active shooter drills, beefed up crisis counseling, and more political calculation.
What is a country with such enormous power, stupendous abundance, yet disregards its children s’ health and safety because it won’t even exercise common sense? Answer: a failed society. Watch: nothing will change.
The successful lawsuit by nine Sandy Hook families against Remington may pave the way for holding gun makers accountable in spite of the federal immunity protection granted gun makers by Congress. The suit used Connecticut’s consumer protection laws to argue that Remington promoted sales of the weapon by appealing to troubled men like the Sandy Hook killer. Another precedent is the successful Minnesota tobacco litigation in the 1990s. That suit, too, used the state’s consumer protection laws to win a major judgment and to force disclosure of confidential tobacco industry documents.
Amen. As the mom of a 7-year-old, I shouldn’t be terrified that one day she might not come home from school. Enough is enough.
A friend has a young granddaughter in Houston. He told me that her Mom - my friend’s daughter - bought a bulletproof backpack for the little girl, one that is designed to be on the back if she is running from danger or can swing around to the front if the threat is coming at her. What are we leaving our kids and grandkids?
Tom, I totally agree with your comments. Of course thoughts and prayers don't work. They never have and never will. Like Jim Graves, I would add the outright ban on any sort of military weapon to your list of needed legislative action.
I agree, and do mention that in the article. However, first things first. If we could get some of the other gun safety laws noted above and improved mental health services, that would make a huge difference. Then, we can pursue the challenging issue of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Thank you for your your thoughtful approach to ending the recurring slaughter of America’s children. Products, from car seats and baby beds to trampolines and lead filled jewelry are recalled or banned because they may endanger, harm or kill children. But we barely regulate the guns that kill children and adults in schools, shopping centers, churches, and the list goes on.
We need you and other men and women of courage to pull the NRA out from its hiding place behind the Second Amendment and end the carnage.
And, we need voters to make gun safety a priority issue in campaigns and on Election Day, even if it means crossing party lines or giving up on an issue of self-interest. People need to support candidates who will put gun safety ahead of their political careers.
Well said, Tom, as always. One proposal that might satisfy the originalists is to apply the right to bear arms to the set of weapons known to the framers of the Constitution. No restrictions on purchase of knives, swords and muzzle-loading single-shot rifles and pistols. Heck, let 'em have bayonets too.. Then we could impose an outright ban and require the surrender of all those assault rifles and automatic weapons, which can only be described as weapons of mass destruction. I'm actually surprised the gun nuts don't demand the right to own grenade launchers, surface-to-air missiles and low-yield tactical nuclear weapons. Probably shouldn't give them any ideas.
Agree with the approach. And we can toast success with a tankard of lukewarm ale!
Tom,
Thanks; I cannot even write the words except to support your suggestions. Now with grandkids I worry all the time as it can happen anywhere, anytime to anyone. Prayers and thoughts for the families is all I can offer at this moment. It is devastating.
It is so discouraging and frustrating. We were caring for two of our grandkids (1 and 5 years old) this past weekend. When I heard the news from Texas, I couldn’t stop thinking about our little girls.
Thank you for your well-written newsletter. While these senseless tragedies have always shook me to my core, I just became a grandma 12 days ago, so this horrific attack affected me even more. I promise I do not want this to happen, but if some crazed AR-15 toting person crashed into the school of a child or grandchild of one of 2nd amendment do or die congressional reps, maybe they'd change their tune.
Tom, I agree with all of your suggestions - totally needed and very likely supported by the majority of voters. I would add the banning of assault rifles, i.e. military style firearms, with your list of priorities. It is a sad day on so many fronts - thank you for all that you do!
Thanks, Jim.