On Saturday, Democratic presidential hopeful former Colorado Governor Hickenlooper will bring his 21 point gun control platform to survivors of Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. While it is fitting that he should address gun violence there with survivors of one of the most horrific school shootings of children, much of his platform lacks substance or hits points already raised by others. 1. While I applaud Gov. Hickenlooper’s 22- point gun plan effort to prevent gun violence, his upfront idea of comparing a renewable gun license every 5 years akin to a driver’s license is misplaced. A legal license to drive a car is a privilege—not a Constitutional right and therefore no comparison. Comparing a right guaranteed under the Constitution whether it's voting rights or gun rights, a comparison to a privilege to drive is like comparing apples and oranges. They are not the same. 2. I also understand the focus of many gun control advocates on school shootings and mass … [Read more...] about Gun Control Laws are no Easy Fix
gun violence
Gun Shootings Require Action From Lawmakers–Not Just Prayers
Two days after the midterm elections, I woke up to the news that another mass shooting occurred--this time in a supposedly safe suburban community outside of Los Angeles. A white man opened fire in a college bar and grill restaurant killing 12 persons, including a 29 year police veteran. On Saturday, November 3, I woke up to the news that a gun shooter killed two persons in a yoga class and wounded several others. My initial thought was we can’t even peacefully pray, meditate or practice yoga or dance in this country without the fear of being gunned down. It was just the previous week that I felt the pain of gun violence at a Pittsburgh synagogue killing seven Jewish persons. And yet, many of our powerful lawmakers act powerless in the face of tragedy. We need more than just thoughts and prayers in these tragedies from our lawmakers. Tragedy is what propelled Lucy McBath, a gun control advocate, to run for office. McBath appears headed to Congress from Georgia’s 6th district, once … [Read more...] about Gun Shootings Require Action From Lawmakers–Not Just Prayers