For eight years America was becoming a kinder, more understanding, and more compassionate nation. We were moving forward to join the rest of the developed world in our attitudes towards minorities, the LGBTQ community, religious freedom, and women’s rights. Then came Donald John Trump.

The “Trump Effect” began to reveal itself in July of 2016 when a cowardly Republican Party allowed a white supremacist and a confirmed sexual predator to receive its party’s nomination for the presidency. Hate crimes across the United States began to spike. Anger and hatred replaced understanding and compassion.

Now let’s be completely honest. The state in which this story occurs is “batshit crazy.” It has laws which allow for no law in many situations. Anyone can own a gun, and deaths by gun violence are considered normal.

This year on Valentine’s Day, a deranged lone gunman, armed with a military assault rifle, murdered 17 educators and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Republicans ignored the slaughter and bowed to the NRA. Nothing has been done to halt another similar action in the state’s schools.

Some of you might remember George Zimmerman. In 2013, this off-duty security guard followed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin as he walked through a mostly white neighborhood. After a struggle, Zimmerman shot and killed the young man but was protected by a Florida law which allows open murder. Paranoid legislators were inspired by their racist views to create “stand your ground.” The law is simple. If you possess a lethal weapon legally, and you have the slightest belief that your life is being threatened, or you create a fantasy situation, you can use that weapon to murder another human being.

This happened again yesterday in Clearwater, Florida.

An argument about a handicapped parking space resulted in the death of a 28-year-old man, Makreis McGlockton, while his five-year-old son watched the tragedy.

McGlockton exited a small market and began a verbal confrontation with Michael Drejka, 47. Witnesses told the police that McGlockton pushed Drejka to the ground when the older man pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton in the chest. He died as his son watched the tragedy unfold.

Drejka was not arrested; he was protected by that same “stand your ground” law. Another reason not to live or visit Florida.

One witness claimed that Drejka had threatened to shoot him earlier.

I have to say it again; America is gun crazy! Millions of Americans love their guns more than they love their children, their wives, other family members, or any other human being.

The second amendment argument by the NRA is bullshit. It has absolutely no validity. The safety of the majority trumps the “rights” of 10 percent of our nation’s people. Laws must be changed. Military assault rifles must be banned along with high-output magazines. This is a must and any Republican who supports the NRA gun lobby over the rights of the people must be removed from our government. Period.

Please tell others about my blog; the truth lives here.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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