Recent statistics, which I have reported for over a year, prove that gun nuts are responsible for hundreds of gun deaths at the hands of a child or because a child had access to a weapon of mass destruction and kills themselves. Until recently the numbers were difficult to ascertain; records were not kept by law enforcement; only local news services knew the numbers of these tragedies.
“By the end of 2015, about 265 children under 18 picked up a firearm and shot someone by accident, and 83 of those shootings were fatal, according to research compiled by the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. Some 41 of those deaths involved the shooters themselves, and most of the shootings involved toddlers or teens who were playing recklessly with the guns.”
Until the mid 1970’s, the NRA was the prime agency supporting gun safety. When it became a lobby for gun manufacturers and gun sellers, its only purpose became increased profits for the industry. For the NRA, every gun death simply means more gun sales. When a mass shooting occurs, gun stores experience increased sales.
Preventing the death of children should be a prime concern for every individual who chooses to own a firearm. Prior to their becoming a lobby, the NRA offered this advice. Guns in the home should always be unloaded, and the weapon and ammunition kept in separate locked areas.
One of the reasons children are harmed or killed by these weapons of mass destruction, is because the adults who fail to secure their weapons are seldom punished. Logic says that at the very least this negligence should be labeled manslaughter.
Gun nuts continually point to the second amendment. It is the most debated and misunderstood issue in the bill of rights. Contrary to right wing extremists, no one wants to repeal the amendment, or ‘take away your guns.’ However, the majority have a right to feel safe as the go about their daily lives. No one should fear for their lives when eating at a restaurant, attending a church service, or fearing for their children who are attending school. Certain safeguards must be instituted.
Here in Nevada, there is a measure on our ballot to require background checks for all gun sales; including gun shows and online purchases. The only opposition is from elected officials, including our governor, our attorney general, the sheriff of Washoe county, and the sheriff of Carson City. Why? They all receive campaign contributions from the NRA. Other law enforcement officials who are not in their position because of election support the measure.
The NRA lies to the American people. Because of them, we have more deaths from the use of a gun than any other nation in the world. Once a great organization, the NRA is now a lobby which places profit before people.
If you believe that the American people have a right to safety, please re-post. Thank you.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of joshlopezphoto
Follow me on twitter; @jamesturnagenov
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