LETTER TO THE EDITOR / THE TAIL IS WAGGING THE DOG

For decades I’ve been trying to persuade my fellow American voters to use their common sense and demand our government treat deadly guns the same way it currently regulates potentially dangerous but less deadly transportation.  We don’t allow dangerous military tanks on our highways; cars must be registered and tested regularly; drivers must be tested, photoed, licensed and wear seatbelts. By contrast, guns and bullets are designed to kill, and they do that every day in schools, churches and homes.  Yet the US hasn’t taken the necessary steps to protect the public in ways that every other advanced nation has.

The reason for appeals to voters is based on the, perhaps naive, assumption that in our democracy, the voters have the ultimate power.  That’s because it is they who elect and fire public servants who are sent to Washington.

Ten years ago, in 2013, 90% of Americans, 80% of Republicans and 70% of NRA members wanted to reduce gun violence. A majority wanted to ban assault weapons and illegal gun trafficking in 2013.  Today, those numbers in favor of significant reforms, especially banning assault weapons, that reduce guns and violence are even higher in favor of more effective gun regulations. But even though gun deaths have continued to escalate, and extremists call for more guns in more public places, the reforms proposed by a majority haven’t gotten through congress.  The reason for this continued failure falls in the lap of one conflicted political party that’s focused on the past and on obstruction – instead of moving forward and implementing the obvious solutions demanded by the majority.

In other words, the tail is waging the dog, which is causing the unnecessary deaths of thousands of innocent American victims.  It’s time for Americans to stand up for sanity and to protect American lives.