To Serve and Protect

Hello everyone, I have a new writing to share with you today. The topic of this blog entry is gun control. Last week a news reporter and cameraman were murdered on live television by an insane gunman. The murder has again brought the issue of gun control to the forefront. The following is a letter that I will be sending to all members of the U.S. Congress. It is called, "To Serve and Protect."

Dear Sir or Madam,

               I am writing in regards to the countless string of gun violence that prevails in this country. Thankfully, I am an observer to this phenomenon. I am lucky in that I have not lost a friend or family member to gun violence. However, sometimes I feel as if I am in the minority on this issue.

              Let me state now that I believe in the second amendment. I believe it should be legal for someone to own a gun if they so choose, for personal protection, or to hunt to provide food for their family. I know there are responsible gun owners who would never attack anyone with their weaponry. However I also know that it is all too easy to obtain a gun for a different purpose.

While I believe in the second amendment, I do not believe that military and police grade weapons should be available for civilians to purchase. The hunting and killing of an animal for food, or protecting one’s home, does not require an automatic weapon. 

               It seems that every day there are more stories of more shootings. We shake our head in disgust. Then moments later, another news story is presented. We have become complacent in hearing these stories. They are everyday occurrences. We have become numb to hearing these stories. This is the new normal in this country. The apathy is palpable. This need not be.
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           As you are aware, last week television viewers in Virginia were horrified to witness news reporter Alison Parker, cameraman Adam Ward, and Vicki Gardner, who was being interviewed by Parker, shot on live television. Parker and Ward were killed. Gardner is recovering from her injuries. 

Alison Parker and Adam Ward

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Alison Parker and Vicki Gardner, moments before the shooting

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               In a recent publication entitled, ”Mass Shooters, Firearms, and Social Strains: A Global Analysis of an Exceptionally American Problem”, Adam Langford, professor of criminal justice at the University of Alabama cites that the United States is 5% of the world population, yet it has 31% of the world’s gun violence. Simply stated, a third of all of the violence that happens in the world happens in the United States. There is not another country in the world that has this high a rate of gun violence.

There are many theories as to why we have this culture of violence in our country; the theories are as varied as the incidents themselves. Likewise, the solutions to resolving this issue are equally varied. Lawmakers should require a thorough background check for purchases, which must include a mental health review. Here are a few more ideas to bring about gun control:

-Prohibit guns in public places

-Provide metal detectors in public places, including movie theaters and schools

-Provide more thorough background checks for gun purchases

-Require thorough background checks at gun shows

-Ban the sale of automatic weapons, in stores and online

-Provide better services for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

-Provide anti bullying initiatives in schools, kindergarten through college

-Provide counseling and therapy for mentally ill youth

-Provide therapy and counseling for young men who have problems

conveying and expressing their emotions

            How many more shootings need to happen before action is taken? How many lives will be lost until we make this a priority?

When members of law enforcement begin their service, they take an oath of office. The language and words within the oath vary; yet, one of the tenets of the oath is the same: the idea to Serve and Protect. In fact, these words are stated as mission statements of law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

Members of Congress also take an oath of office when they begin their service. I would argue that the tenet of "Serve and Protect" is part of your oath as well. You have a duty in your elected office to help serve your constituents. Intrinsic in serving your constituents is protecting them as well.

I hope we never have a mass shooting in this country again. I know that is an unrealistic, simplistic hope. Yet, I have faith in my country, and in its leaders. I have faith that you will do the right thing. Enact tougher gun legislation to make this country, and this world, a safer place.

Your mission has been laid out. The task is at hand. Do your duty to your constituents. Serve and protect.

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