For instance, Chicago has become a war zone. Last year, the city had 489 homicides. In 2016, the homicide count is 282. Unfortunately, when you read this, it will probably be closer to 300. Even if you win a singing competition, a bullet doesn’t play favorites. Alejandro Fuentes won Mexico’s version of “The Voice.” Last Saturday, he was carjacked and murdered in Chicago.
I find it interesting that some political leaders want to blame the NRA. “We must control guns” is a common rally cry from our politicians.
Aren’t there already hundreds of gun laws? Will more gun laws prevent a terrorist from buying a gun or make Americans feel safer?
Orlando shooter Mateen had given off all kinds of warning signs. He made the same preparations that a dying man would make. His history of being an unsavory person gave off warning signs. The FBI had previously investigated him for suspicious activity.
So why do Americans have such a love-hate relationship with guns?
If you don’t know why, here’s a short history lesson for you. Many years ago, England’s King George III ruled American colonists from across the ocean. Before the Revolutionary War, George kept guns away from anyone considered a threat.
Eventually, the American colonists got weapons and defeated the British army in the Revolutionary War. Without guns, Americans would still be under English rule.
Our founders did not want another dictator. They knew that only weapons could prevent men like Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot and Mussolini from gaining absolute power in America. Hundreds of years later, our political leaders would have us believe that unarmed Americans will reduce gun violence. Today’s politicians must know something the founding fathers didn’t know.
More gun laws provide politicians a platform to gain votes. Oddly enough, when other nations get attacked by terrorists, they will retaliate against the attackers. America responds to terrorism by blaming gun manufacturers.
To handle gun violence or terrorism, we have to get to the root of the problem. The real problem is the shooter; an unbalanced person with no regard for human life or gun laws. Gun laws are meaningless until we can deter men like Mateen or Seung-Hui Cho before they can commit mass murder.
Marc is a grandfather and longtime Clermont County resident. Visit his author page at http://www.lifewithgrandpa.com and blog at http://www.wisegrandpa.com.