Time to Take the AK-47s Away
To The Editor:
Tuesday, at least 19 students and two adults were killed and many more dying or seriously injured today by one 18-year-old gunman at a Uvalde, Texas high school. And so I am compelled to demand that right-wing extremists publicly explain why the only likely Republican lawmaker response will be offering “thoughts and prayers” to the grieving families of the victims, while holding their hands open to the campaign money raised directly or indirectly by gun manufacturer lobbyists and being the beneficiary of the dark money funded political attack ads of right wing gun rights organizations. Perhaps she will publicly explain why Republican lawmakers refuse to require background checks and waiting periods and gun safety training and minimum age requirements for gun sales, whether commercial or private, that would save lives.
Perhaps they can publicly explain why Republican lawmakers want to protect the ability of domestic violence offenders, the dishonorably discharged, the mentally ill, and persons convicted of violent crimes to purchase and possess a gun.
Due to a former President, who idolizes tyrants like the Saudi Prince and Vladimir Putin, and who instructed right wing extremist groups to “stand by” and later incited them to storm the Congress of the American people, one must add heavily armed white supremacist groups to that list.
Perhaps they can explain why a gun with machine gun-like capacity that is often found at other mass shootings in America and that may have enabled that lone teenage gunman to use a rifle to kill those 19 students and two adults and wound many others at a Uvalde High School has not been banned by Republican lawmakers. Do they understand that a gun with machine gun-like capacity is not needed to defend one’s home or business or to hunt for game? Do they understand that we have National Guard units and armories all over the State of Texas to defend us here at home in times of war and that our police do not need to be needlessly exposed to death by guns with or modified for machine gun like capacity?
Since 2009, there have been 274 mass shootings in the U.S. resulting in 1536 people shot and killed and 983 people shot and wounded. On Aug. 3, 2019, an extreme right-wing gunman using an AK-47 killed 23 and injured 23 others at a Walmart in the home town of Beto O’Rourke, El Paso, Texas.
Given the above and typical Republican obstruction of pragmatic common sense laws needed for the safety and common good of all Americans, especially our children and police officers, do right-wing Republicans understand why Americans and, especially Texans in a State where there are far too many mass shootings, need to elect a Governor and State Legislators and Members of Congress willing to bravely stand up and say, “Hell, yes, we will take your AK-47s away!”
John W. Mikus Houston