I prefer not to write about one issue multiple times in a single day; today is different. I have been listening to Trump, his despicable and hypocritical party, and the criminal head of the NRA all day and I am furious. Denying the facts is not acceptable. The end of gun violence in America must cease and can be solved very easily if Republicans are ousted from Washington.

No nation in the world compares to the gun violence which happens more than once a day, every day, in our nation. The nearest comparison is Australia. In 1996 a lone gunman with semi-automatic weapons murdered 35 men, women, and children at a tourist attraction. Newly elected Prime Minister, John Howard, himself a gun advocate, realized that something had to change. Unlike Trump, he was a true leader who cared about his nation’s people.

All six Australian states agreed to ban semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. They also required a 28 day waiting period to receive their guns while a comprehensive background check was undertaken. In addition, a “justifiable reason” was required; Australia does not recognize ‘self defense’ as a valid reason.

The result: mass shootings no longer exist, and the rate of homicides and suicides have diminished.

Today Marco Rubio and others lied to high school students and the American people, claiming that eliminating assault rifles would not make a difference. Really!?

Trump and the President of the NRA want more guns in schools; not to protect the students, but to increase the profits of gun manufacturers and gun sellers. Suggestions include arming teachers and positioning armed guards in our educational institutions. Ludicrous. The second part of this story is only one of the reasons how Trump and Wayne LaPierre are blowing smoke up your a**.

An armed school resources deputy, Scot Peterson, was present at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when the shooter began killing students and teachers on Valentine’s Day. When the murderer entered the school, Peterson took no action, apparently fearing the loss of his own life. He later resigned.

Would this be the same action taken by any officer armed with only a handgun who would be required to face a killer armed with a military killing machine?

I am so pissed off. I rarely use my temper. The truth is that if our elected officials simply do the right thing, this will all end in a very short period of time. Our nation’s problem is that one political party is partially owned by the gun lobby. Millions of dollars in campaign contributions are more important than the lives of our children. Trump received a record sum of money from the NRA in 2016; $30,000,000.

Time for the people to take their country back. We have been dictated to by GOP politicians for more than 25 years. Time to end their reign of terror, and at the same time remove all power from Donny Boy. On November 6^th vote all Republicans out of power. Follow the lead of women and our nation’s youth.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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