The Failure of Congress to Act

It seems at every turn we are besieged by reports of acts of violence, murder and senseless death. Sadly, this is an issue striking at the very heart of every community in America.  If we are fortunate enough not to have experienced first or second hand the effects of gun violence, we have all been touched by one of the many tragic and cowardly acts occurring throughout our country.

This morning as I logged on and began to peruse the events of the day, I encountered one story after another with this one common link.

First encountered was a blog posted by Breakingbrown.com in regard to the George Zimmerman trial.  This article implies DNA tests indicate Trayvon Martin did not inflict any serious harm as was reported by George Zimmerman.  This is critical in ensuring the case will not be dismissed under Florida’s "Stand Your Ground Laws."  If this story is true, Zimmerman will face a trial by jury.  As the judge considers sequestering jurors, the selection process continues today.

Second, Huffingtonpost.com posted an article and video by Associated Press reporter Tami Abdollah about a note found on the body of John Zawahri, the Santa Monica gunman.   Zawahri, a 23 year old who allegedly “had mental problems,” expressed in a hand written note, remorse for his June 7th killing of his father and brother before going on a shooting spree on the Santa Monica College Campus.

Finally, there was an email distributed by “Organizing for Action,” allegedly written by Erica Lafferty, daughter of Dawn Hochsprung.  Dawn Hochsprung was the martyred principal who died trying to protect her students and staff at Newtown, Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School. Ms. Lafferty’s email was geared at drumming up support for the demand for congressional gun control reform.  You see today, June 14, 2013, is the 6 month anniversary of the senseless tragedy that took Ms. Lafferty’s mother, 20 first graders, and 5 other adults.

A few days ago, I watched an episode of the History Channel’s “America’s Book of Secrets: Serial Killers” (originally aired 4/26/13).   I was surprised to learn that since the 1970’s, the United States has “produced an estimated 1,400 serial killers - more than double the combined total of the rest of the world.”  They estimate at any given time, there are as many as 50 serial killers at large in America. What does this say about us?

Each of these communiques speak to the necessity for greater gun control in America. 

Following Sandy Hook, the American outcry was at an all-time high, as it should have been.  But the attention span of the average citizen is extremely short.  We get bombarded with so much information and inundated with disinformation to the degree that we lose site of the facts.  We find ourselves overwhelmed and numbed.  Before we realize it, we grow tired and no longer care about the outcome.  Such was the case following Sandy Hook. 

Legislation was put forth to require in-depth background investigations prior to the purchase of firearms. It was a small step, but a step in the right direction, none-the-less.  But then the debate merry-go-round began.  Gun enthusiasts  pushed hard from the right, while advocates for gun control pushed back from the left.  In the end, the legislation did not pass and six months after Sandy Hook, Congress still has done nothing.

This failure of Congress to act in the wake of the Sandy Hook incident is a greater tragedy in itself.  If our congressional leadership think so very little of the lives of so many innocents, what do they think about the rest of us?

Gun control reform MUST go forth and must be passed in both Houses of Congress.  We must not have any more incidents like Sandy Hook.

George Zimmerman must be convicted for taking the life of an innocent.  America must be reminded we are not living in the 19^th century. Citizens cannot take the law into their own hands.  The "Stand Your Ground Laws" must be repealed.  The use of deadly force must always be the absolute last resort.

And finally, mentally disturbed or not, every American must know and understand these acts of cowardice are no way to solve any issue.  We cannot afford to have another John Zawahri.  It’s time Americans stop killing Americans.

If we are going to have firearms, let’s get better control of them and how we allow access to them. 

I’m not hatin, I’m jus sayin…