Tag: AR-15

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Opinion The Last Word

Enough, Already: Lack of Sensible Gun Laws is Killing Us

CREDIT: Kbiros | Dreamstime.com

Thirty seconds.
Nine people killed, 27 injured. Thirty seconds is all it took with an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and a high capacity magazine to wreak that kind of havoc in Dayton, Ohio, last weekend. Local police took the suspect down in record time. But still.

Thirty seconds.

How long before this happens in Memphis? When could it be “our turn”? It is a terrible thought, but isn’t that on everyone’s mind right now? 

Kbiros | Dreamstime.com

We are going to have to stand up and say “enough is enough.” And it isn’t going to be easy. No single solution is going to wipe out all of this violence. But something — anything — needs to be done. I honestly thought Sandy Hook would do it. Then I thought maybe Vegas would surely knock some common sense into our elected leaders. But no.

It is time for our government to institute real change, and it is going to take ordinary citizens like all of us to force the change. Our voices do indeed matter. It doesn’t matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, and it has nothing to do with your “platform.” These are people’s lives in the balance, and tomorrow, it might be your kid.

We have to take an honest look in the mirror and realize that no other country in the Western civilized world has the massive amount of issues with gun deaths as our own country. Over 30,000 dead each year! The statistics overwhelmingly point to a serious issue, yet Americans’ undying love of our gun culture somehow overrules common sense when it comes to keeping the public safe.

People talk about our “freedom” that we have in the U.S. And we do have a lot of freedom. Maybe too much sometimes? I’m sorry, but there are just some folks who should never have the opportunity to own a lethal weapon — especially something that can kill nine people in 30 seconds.

As a former cop in the military and, for a while, in civilian life, I can state without a doubt that these types of weapons should not be in the hands of civilians.

And I am here to say that no, folks, Democrats do not want to “take your guns away.” What Democrats and, in fact, about 70 percent of the country’s voting public want, according to a recent poll, are sensible gun laws, including:

• Comprehensive background checks

• Psych evals

• Red flag laws

• Ban high-capacity magazines

• Assault-style weapons ban or strict regulation

These are all sensible, reasonable ideas that will help cut down the carnage. And if not an outright ban on these high-capacity, rapid-firing weapons, why not do it just like the military? Require people to store them in an armory at a gun range, and they can check them out when they want to target shoot. This is what we did in the military. Not one of us took home our M-16s. It should be no different, if not more strict, in civilian life.

Let me put it this way. We have to take a test to drive a car, which can be lethal but rarely kills nine people in 30 seconds. And if you can’t pass a written or practical test, guess what? You don’t get to drive on public roads. Sensible firearm regulation should be the same, just as it is in so many countries around the world who have strong gun regulations and very little gun crime.

My next statement will no doubt piss a few people off — maybe more than a few — but it is true: The Second Amendment was written during a time when our country was brand-new, and the founding fathers sought to arm a “well-regulated militia” (i.e. a military unit) to ensure that the checks and balances that were put in place would stand and that no foreign powers could easily come and overthrow our fledgling nation.

The times have changed. It’s been 250 years. The Second Amendment should be amended, or other laws should be put in place around it. I am a responsible gun owner, and I am more than happy to take any test you throw at me. If you aren’t willing to take and pass a test or to undergo a simple background check, you don’t deserve to own a lethal weapon.

The right to live peacefully in our country, without fear of getting mowed down by someone with a gun, supersedes the Second Amendment.

Zach Bair is CEO of Music Technology Company VNUE, a Mid-South recording artist, and owner of two live music venues in Memphis.

Categories
Editorial Opinion

Lessons From the Orlando Tragedy

Readers of this week’s issue will note a couple of pieces, including this one, devoted to the unspeakable weekend tragedy in Orlando, in which at least 50 people died during an armed assassin’

s murderous spree at a gay-oriented night club and another 50-odd were injured, some critically.

There is good reason for such close attention here and on the part of other media, world-wide, and it is similar to that which followed in the wake of the June 2015 slaughter of nine African-American worshippers during a Bible study session at an historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. That previous attack, carried out by a youthful racist obsessed with loyalties to his state’s Confederate past, instantly transformed a racial landscape that had been changing all too slowly and greatly accelerated what Martin Luther King once described as the bending of the arc of history toward justice.

Before the Charleston atrocity, the Stars and Bars of the old Confederacy flew unimpeded in dozens of places where they hang no longer — including the state Capitol at Columbia, South Carolina, the very birthplace of secession and the cradle of the Confederacy, that would-be nation of breakaway Southern states devoted to the creed of official racism and the institution of human slavery. 

In a true sense, the young assassin’s senseless act, intended by him to ignite a race war on behalf of Confederate ideals, accomplished the exact opposite — the final putting to rest of the Confederacy and its flag as anything but tawdry reminders of a brutal racist past.

In like manner, the savage massacre at Orlando’s Pulse Club has surely ended the lingering debate as to whether the quest for rights, equality, and dignity by members of  the LGBT community should be regarded as within the mainstream of the nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. By their martyrdom, the souls sacrificed in Orlando to murderous bigotry have, we pray, propelled that recognition and ended that debate. Gay Americans should now be seen by everyone, as, increasingly, they see themselves — not as outliers seeking toleration but as proud citizens in the forefront of extending liberty.

And, though both the Charleston and Orlando horrors have provoked rethinking the nature and promise of American democracy, they both serve, too, as bleak reminders of a national gun culture run amok. After Jonesboro and Columbine and Sandy Hook and Aurora and so many others, this fresh atrocity is testament to the long overdue need to change the rules for selling and using firearms, especially semiautomatic, combat-like weapons such the AR-15, used for the purpose of mass murder in Orlando and elsewhere. There is no need to expunge the Second Amendment from the Bill of Rights, which is what the NRA and other gun-industry lobbyists accuse reformers of trying to do. A good start to setting things right would be the extension of background checks and a resumption of the undeniably Constitutional Clinton-era ban on the sale of such weapons, which was allowed to expire in 2005, during the second presidential term of George W. Bush. It is no accident that the frequency of massacres, as well as their body counts, have increased since that time.

Categories
Opinion The Last Word

America’s Killing Fields

Another mass killing? Oh well. Isn’t there a game on tonight or something?

I figured that a society that can stomach the thought of a murderous lunatic, armed with a Bushmaster XM15, forcing his way into a kindergarten and slaughtering 20 children and six staff members without a massive public outcry is pretty much hopeless. Or if we’re not bothered by the delusional Batman fan who caused 82 causalities, including 12 people murdered in their seats by a Smith & Wesson M&P15 assault rifle with a 100-round drum magazine in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. (Just months before, the shooter, who was described as “severely mentally ill,” legally purchased his weapons of mass destruction in a local gun store.)

Then there were the two radicalized Muslims, described as “homegrown violent extremists” by the FBI, who murdered 14 and injured 22 in a rampage last December in San Bernardino, California. They used two AR-15-type rifles and two 9 mm semiautomatic pistols, purchased legally by a third conspirator.

And now we get a self-proclaimed ISIS devotee who was on the terrorist watch list and twice investigated by the FBI, who managed to become an accredited security guard and legally purchased the assault rifle used to kill 50 souls and wound 53 others in a gay club in Orlando. The deranged domestic terrorist shot 103 people with a semiautomatic rifle bought in the last 12 days.

Common denominator

Does there seem to be a theme emerging? When does it become obvious that no one outside a theater of war should possess such firepower?

In the wake of the carnage in Orlando, it was almost overlooked that the Los Angeles police arrested a man on his way to that city’s gay pride parade with a cache of weapons, including three assault rifles with high-capacity magazines and a five-gallon bucket of explosive materials. His Indiana license plate had an NRA sticker with the words “Teaching Freedom” below. Though described as bisexual by a friend, this All-American Terrorist’s Facebook page said, “Anti-Islam, Anti-Gay, and Anti-Racism,” oddly enough. He also claimed that political correctness is stifling freedom of speech and that 9/11 was an inside job.

If a neighbor had not called police about a prowler, we could have suffered dual massacres on the same day. And the target, in both cases, was the most vulnerable minority group: the LGBT community.

It would seem that hatred and violence know no denomination. Since Obama was elected, he has addressed the nation on 15 separate occasions after an atrocity involving multiple gun deaths. He has pleaded, tried to reason, shown anger, and even wept. What’s left for him to say or do?

Since the Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) signed by Bill Clinton in 1994 was allowed to expire during the Bush era, random shootings have spiked. A joint letter to Congress from Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan in support of banning “semi-automatic assault guns” has been ignored by today’s Tea Party obstructionists. 

Quoting statistics, Clinton said, “Half of all mass killings in the U.S. occurred since 2005 — half of all in the history of the country.” The Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2005. Maybe there’s a connection here. After Newtown, the AWB was re-introduced, but failed in the GOP-controlled Senate by a vote of 40 to 60.

The human septic tank known as Donald Trump was the first to politicize the Orlando tragedy. Obama and Hillary Clinton each made statements of outrage and condolence and avoided further comment. Trump went on a Twitter frenzy, first saying, “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism. I don’t want congrats. I want toughness and vigilance. We must be smart!”

Trump is fond of the exclamation point. But his GOP allies in Congress blocked a bill the day after the San Bernardino slaughter which would have denied people on the terrorist watch list the ability to buy a gun. Bowing to NRA pressure, the Republicans reasoned that Americans who are wrongly on the list should be afforded their constitutional rights. They can’t fly, but buying a gun is fine.

Trump then called for Obama to be removed from office for refusing to use the term “radical Islamic terrorism,” and Fox News hammered that message all night. Obama has repeatedly explained, “The term ‘radical Islam’ grants them a religious legitimacy they don’t deserve. We are not at war with Islam, we are at war with people who have perverted Islam.” George W. Bush said the same thing, only he wasn’t a secret Kenyan Muslim.

As expected, the trolls were out on social media saying the same predictable things: “Arm yourselves before they kill us all.” The hatred boiled over for Muslims the world over, even though the same people were praising Muhammad Ali just a day before. The Orlando jihadist’s ex-wife said he wanted to be a policeman. She also said he beat her and isolated her from others until she was rescued by her family. One of his co-workers said, “I complained multiple times that he didn’t like blacks, women, lesbians, and Jews.” The wannabe ISIS fighter also said he wished he could kill all black people.

“You meet bigots,” the co-worker continued, “but he was above and beyond.”

The NRA apologists continue to say, “Enforce the laws already on the books,” but obviously they’re not effective. Then there’s the tired “Don’t blame the weapon, it’s just a tool,” argument. The Assault Weapons Ban may not have done much to put a dent in gun crime, but it might have prevented this slaughter. And Aurora. And San Bernardino. And Sandy Hook.

There is a theory going around in some right-wing circles that Sandy Hook was a hoax perpetrated by the government in order to begin confiscating firearms. Maybe if the Newtown crime-scene photos of children blown to pieces were released, the country might be shocked back into reality. Or maybe not, but has anyone noticed that in eight years, Obama hasn’t confiscated a single gun? After this gruesome bloodbath, thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. Maybe we need to try stricter laws and regulations instead.

Randy Haspel writes the “Recycled Hippies” blog, where a version of this column first appeared.

Categories
Fly On The Wall Blog Opinion

Andy Holt to Give Away AR-15 Rifle, Would Hand Out More

You know, it’s getting easier to see things through the lunatic eyes of Tennessee Rep. Andy Holt, (R)-Duh.

Every unhinged missive he fires off sheds a little more light on the pig farmer’s thought process, and finally it’s clear to me, per Holt, that the Second Amendment exists, in part, to insure bad guys have access to immense firepower. Because that, in turn, furnishes good guys with deserving targets for their own, even immenser firepower. It’s pretty obvious, really — right there in the constitution between the words, “well regulated,” and “militia,” and not all that hard to see if, like Andy, you squint. 

Holt’s been out of the spotlight lately. According to a Facebook post, he’s been “toiling away in the dirt,” just trying to provide for his family. That honest endeavor provided the  legislator with an opportunity to think, pray, and commune with his Lord. You see, a man with a history of hate and abusive behavior walked into a gay bar in Orlando, Florida Sunday morning and, in no time at all, gunned down 50-innocent people with an AR-15 semi-automatic weapon. Holt had planned to give away one of those deadly, fast-shooting rifles at a campaign fundraiser and turkey shoot called HogFest. But now, in the Orlando massacre’s horrific wake, Holt’s so consarn mad about the dadgum liberals, he wishes he could give away more.

“I’m furious,” Holt writes and — oh hell, I’m just going to copy the whole thing right here.

“I’m furious over the fact that our government literally refuses to recognize the threat of radical Islam. I’m furious that it is no longer an insidious threat; but has been allowed, and even encouraged, to become an all out blatant attack due to the inaction of our irresponsible government “leaders.” I’m furious over the fact that reckless ‘leaders’ like Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) rush to blame the 2nd Amendment rather than radical Islam. I’m furious over the fact that so many are too ignorant to understand that the Twin Towers were not brought down by a firearm, but we’re instead brought down by radical Islam. Do you think these people care if they use a gun, bomb or an airplane? I’m furious that so many like Cohen cannot wait to leave us defenseless in the face of such great risk. I’m furious that I get phone calls from the media asking me if I’m still going to give away an AR-15 at our HogFest, rather than asking me how many extra firearms I’ll be handing out to ensure people can protect themselves. After all, it was a bullet that stopped the terrorist. Amazing how so many seem to miss that fact. I’m furious that the NSA continues to spy on ordinary Americans like you and me, yet allows suspected terrorists to easily walk away. I’m furious that I see elected liberal democrats rushing to literally blame Republicans for this tragic attack on the LGBT community. While I am a conservative Christian, my heart literally breaks for these women and men on so many levels. I’m furious that these same liberal democrats rushing to condemn conservative Christians that may disagree with a lifestyle, simultaneously rush to defend a religion that readily hangs and massacres gays and lesbians. Ever been to a country where Muslims are the majority? If you have, you’ll find gay men hanging in the streets. This is disgusting in so many ways. The media, our government, it’s all literally disgusting. I say all this to say that I understand how angry you all are. You have every right to be.

All that being said, I want you all to do 3 things for me.

1.) I want you to call the ones you love most and let them know how important they are to you. I want you to hold onto them for dear life. I want you to cherish every last moment.
2.) I want you to arm yourselves and learn to shoot with deadly accuracy should the need arise. Protect your family. Protect yourselves. Protect your friends. Our government has made it quite clear that it is incapable of doing so. At the end of the day, it’s your responsibility anyways.
3.) I want you to pray. Pray for the victims and their families. Pray for our country. Pray for the followers of a deadly, merciless religion. Pray for leadership. Pray for mercy and grace.
Dear media,
You want to know if I’m still giving away an AR-15? You bet the farm I am. And to those that have a problem with it, ‪#‎MolonLabe‬! How about asking liberals when they plan on banning gun free zones?

Holt, who’s introduced his share of faith-based anti-gay legislation, burned his traffic tickets on YouTube, and shown support for antics perpetrated by the Bundy Ranch militia, seemed particularly upset by gun-hating Democrats like Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen, who would “leave us defenseless.”

The question, of course, is who Holt means by “us.”  

If memory (and Google) serves, Senate Republicans joined together (on the day after the San Bernardino massacre no less) to block a D-supported bill that would have prevented people on the terrorist watch list from buying guns legally. Cohen vocally supported that measure. He’s also co-sponsored legislation regulating large capacity ammunition, and closing fire sale loopholes. And yet, somehow, in spite of all that reckless Democrat behavior, even the NRA Political Victory Fund graded Cohen a gentleman’s C. Not perfect, but not too shabby for somebody trying to leave Americans all defenseless and shit.

But let’s not forget that “a bullet… stopped the terrorist,” Omar Mateen, who was picked up and questioned about ISIS ties, but still able to pick up an AR-15 like it was a quart of milk. 

See. The system works. 

Categories
Letter From The Editor Opinion

Letter from the Editor: Newtown and NRA Fantasies

Two fantasies propel the debate over gun control. The first, which has long been the mantra of gun-rights advocates, is that the best way to prevent mass shootings and stop criminals is for more people to carry guns. The theory being that we need more armed “good guys” to intervene when the bad guys start shooting. This hasn’t worked yet, certainly not in the case of the recurrent plague of mass shootings. And most Americans aren’t comfortable with the idea of everyone walking around with guns in Walgreens.

The other fantasy, which we hear from gun-control advocates after each mass shooting, is that we can immediately fix the problem by banning the sale of high-capacity magazines and “assault rifles,” such as the AR-15. This is similar to the fantasy promulgated by the Republicans a few years back that we could fix the immigration problem by deporting 12 million undocumented immigrants.

There are at least 3 million privately owned AR-15s, the civilian version of the military’s M-16, in the U.S. And since the Newtown shooting, they are flying off the shelves of gun retailers, as gun-lovers anticipate they will soon be banned. There are an additional 300 million guns in private hands in the U.S. Banning AR-15 sales and beginning a buy-back program may help in the long run, but those guns will be with us for some time.

Guns kill more than 30,000 people in the U.S. every year; 10,000 of those deaths are homicides. Two categories of gun homicides get the headlines: The first is criminal activity — people using guns to kill in the course of robbing, dealing drugs, drive-by shootings, and fighting cops — as happened in the incident in Memphis last week that took the life of Officer Martoiya Lang.

The second category is mass shootings, where someone starts killing people with no apparent goal other than to kill. We’ve had an increasing number of these in recent years. They are horrific and appalling, because so many innocent people die in such a random, unexpected fashion. By necessity, these shooters almost always use high-round-capacity, rapid-fire guns. By any measure, they are mentally ill.

Surely, even the staunchest gun-rights advocate would agree that we need to do our utmost to keep guns from violent criminals and the mentally ill. From that point of agreement, action needs to be taken. The public is sick of this plague on the land. It’s time to let go of the fantasies and get real about guns, crime, and mental health issues.

Bruce VanWyngarden

brucev@memphisflyer.com