This column originally appeared in the Sun Chronicle on Friday, December 28, 2012
AN INSIDE LOOK
By Bill Gouveia
Wayne
LaPierre is the leader of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He appeared on the popular Sunday morning
television show “Meet The Press” last weekend to discuss the NRA’s response to
the renewed call for stricter gun control laws in the wake of the horrific
Connecticut school shooting.
Mr.
LaPierre’s response on behalf of one of the nation’s most influential lobbying
organizations was both predictable and disappointing. He had no problem apportioning blame for what
most everyone agrees was one of the most tragic events in American
history. He blamed a lack of security in
schools, he blamed a lack of morals in the country, he blamed Hollywood, he
blamed the video game industry, and he blamed the nation’s mental health
system.
He
blamed pretty much everyone – except guns and their availability. He apportions absolutely no blame there. Not a bit.
Far worse,
Mr. LaPierre and his organization refuse to even discuss the subject. They will not contemplate the possibility –
however remote in their minds – that tougher gun laws could possibly result in
a somewhat safer and less violent America.
Of
course, that’s what Mr. LaPierre gets paid to do. He is a hired gun (pardon the pun) for the
NRA. His job is to blindly and
politically support their narrow view of the 2nd Amendment and help
elect officials who will do the same. He
has one solution and one solution only to the problem of violence with guns – more
guns.
The
NRA is proposing an armed guard be placed in every school in the United
States. He says it is a common sense
solution that is obvious and reasonable.
He says parents want and deserve the security he claims this would
provide.
He
may be right. Personally, I have my
doubts. I’m not sure it will work, I’m
not sure it is practical, and I’m not sure it is intelligent. But in the wake of 26 dead people killed by
an assault weapon taken from a private home, I’m willing to discuss it. I’m willing to consider it. I’m willing to have it debated on the national
stage.
If
only Mr. LaPierre and his devoted followers were equally willing to debate that
with which they do not agree.
The
head of the NRA and his organization refuse to agree to debate the possibility
of stricter gun control laws. He
dismisses out of hand the possibility it might prevent even one death. He says the NRA will not participate on the
panel to be convened by Vice President Biden.
He refuses to even consider any changes to current gun laws because he
claims they will not work and will not help.
It
is outrageous this man, representing millions of honest and responsible gun
owners, would go on national television and say such things. He knows there were armed guards at Columbine. Yet he pushes the solution of armed security
wholeheartedly, while dismissing any attempt at banning the awful weapon that
killed 20 innocent schoolchildren.
I’m
not asking Mr. LaPierre or the NRA to agree to any new gun laws right now. But I hope they care enough to at least join
in the discussion. They have made a good
suggestion, one that deserves honest consideration. It should be given respect because it stems
from what I believe to be a sincere desire to save lives and protect children.
Now
it is time for the NRA to give gun control advocates that same measure of
respect. Mr. LaPierre and his
organization should be a vital part of the national discussion on gun safety
and availability. They know and understand
better than anyone the power and importance of powerful weapons. They bring a perspective to the table that is
both invaluable and representative of many Americans.
They
do their members and the country a grave disservice by merely retreating into
their familiar and thus far invincible political shell. They need to do more than arrogantly tell us
laws which have not even been formulated yet will not work. They need to talk to us, instead of at us.
This
is a moment of truth for the NRA. They
now must choose to be either a part of the solution, or a part of the
problem.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and
can be emailed at aninsidelook@aol.com and followed on Twitter at
@Billinsidelook.
No comments:
Post a Comment