Welcome to the Wild West

In a truly wild twist of logic, Missouri Republican Congressman Billy Long once blamed the rise in mass shootings on the legalization of abortion. According to Long, society’s moral decay started with Roe v. Wade in 1973, which he believes set off a chain reaction leading to today’s gun violence. He boldly stated, “When I was growing up in Springfield, you didn’t have school shootings… abortion was legalized in 1973, and I think that’s when it all began”​ (American Journal News)​.

Isn’t it fascinating how politicians can weave unrelated issues into a tapestry of confusion? They’d rather connect the dots between abortion and gun violence than admit to the obvious elephant in the room: their inaction on meaningful gun control. Instead of addressing the real issues, they point fingers at everything from video games to mental health, while ignoring the fact that countries with stricter gun laws don’t have the same epidemic of mass shootings.

Republicans love to divert attention with these bizarre statements, while quietly pushing policies that undermine public safety and health. They champion the rights of gun manufacturers over the lives of children, refuse to expand healthcare that could address mental health crises, and cut funding for social programs that prevent crime. It’s a perfect storm of negligence and misdirection, creating a political landscape where common sense solutions are buried under mountains of rhetoric and misplaced blame.

The Political Circus: “Step Right Up, Folks!”

In this grand spectacle of American politics, our performers never cease to amaze. Leading this circus are the politicians who, when faced with the tragedy of mass shootings, pull out their well-rehearsed act: the “thoughts and prayers” routine.

Take, for instance, Senator Ted Cruz, who masterfully dodges the topic of gun control by offering his heartfelt thoughts and prayers after every mass shooting, only to vote against any meaningful gun reform days later. Cruz once said, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” completely ignoring the fact that other countries with strict gun laws don’t seem to need this army of “good guys” to prevent shootings.

Then there’s Senator Mitch McConnell, the ringmaster of legislative inaction. McConnell’s usual act involves expressing deep sorrow for victims while ensuring that no new gun control measures ever reach the Senate floor. His performance is so consistent, it might as well be on a loop.

And let’s not forget Representative Lauren Boebert, who manages to combine the absurd with the offensive by posing with her arsenal of firearms in family Christmas photos. Her stance is clear: more guns are the answer, because clearly, the problem with gun violence is that we don’t have enough guns.

This routine of offering condolences without action, proposing arming more civilians, and deflecting the conversation to mental health or other non-issues is a well-choreographed dance designed to distract from their unwillingness to confront the NRA and implement real solutions. It’s a show that keeps running, but the audience is getting tired of the same old tricks.

Behind the Scenes: “Lobbyists and Loopholes”

Behind the political circus lies a shadowy network of gun lobbyists and the intricate loopholes they help create. Organizations like the NRA wield immense power, funneling millions of dollars into political campaigns to ensure that gun-friendly laws remain untouched. Since 1998, the NRA alone has spent over $140 million to elect pro-gun candidates, with $4.2 million spent on lobbying in 2021 alone​ (Truthout)​.

These lobbyists work tirelessly to craft and protect loopholes that allow the gun industry to flourish unchecked. For instance, the “gun show loophole” permits private sellers to bypass background checks entirely, creating a black market in plain sight. Similarly, the “boyfriend loophole” allows domestic abusers to purchase firearms, despite laws intended to prevent such individuals from owning guns.

The result? A landscape where the gun industry thrives while public safety takes a backseat. Politicians, heavily funded by these lobbyists, prioritize the interests of the gun manufacturers over the lives of their constituents. In Texas, for example, representatives have taken over $14 million from gun rights groups, with the NRA being the top spender in state-level lobbying​ (Truthout)​.

This is a grim reminder that in the world of politics, money often speaks louder than morality. The influence of gun lobbyists ensures that common sense gun reforms are constantly undermined, keeping the cycle of violence and inaction unbroken.

Case Studies: “When Politics Costs Lives”

Countless tragedies illustrate the deadly consequences of political inaction on gun control. It’s impossible to single out just one incident without acknowledging the breadth of this ongoing crisis.

• Sandy Hook Elementary School (2012): Twenty children and six staff members were killed. Despite nationwide outrage, meaningful legislation failed to pass​ (Truthout)​.
• Pulse Nightclub (2016): Forty-nine people were killed in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. Calls for stricter gun control were met with political gridlock​ (Truthout)​.
• Las Vegas Shooting (2017): Fifty-eight people were killed and hundreds injured at a music festival. The debate over bump stocks led to minimal regulatory changes​ (Truthout)​.
• Parkland, Florida (2018): Seventeen students and staff were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The aftermath saw some states passing laws, but federal action remained stagnant​ (Truthout)​.
• El Paso Walmart (2019): Twenty-three people were killed in a racially motivated attack. Despite the horrific nature, comprehensive gun control laws remain elusive​ (Truthout)​.

Each of these events followed a predictable pattern: initial shock, fervent calls for change, and ultimately, legislative inaction. The cycle of outrage and inaction continues, as politicians prioritize lobbyist dollars over lives.

The International Perspective: “What the Rest of the World Thinks”

When it comes to gun laws, the United States is a bizarre outlier on the global stage. In countries like Japan and the UK, stringent gun control laws have resulted in significantly lower rates of gun violence. Japan, for instance, has virtually eliminated gun deaths through rigorous regulations and cultural attitudes towards firearms​ (Truthout)​.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the notion that more guns equal more safety is met with incredulous disbelief. Australians look at us like we’re off our rockers, especially after they successfully implemented strict gun laws following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, resulting in zero mass shootings since then​ (Truthout)​.

Even Canadians, our friendly neighbors to the north, scratch their heads at our insistence on maintaining such lax gun laws. They have stricter regulations and consequently, far fewer gun-related incidents​ (Truthout)​. From an outsider’s perspective, the U.S. seems like a country stuck in a perpetual cycle of preventable tragedy, all while clinging to an outdated and dangerous interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Breaking the Cycle: “Can We Fix This Mess?”

Despite the grim outlook, there are realistic and effective measures we can take to reduce gun violence. Implementing universal background checks, closing loopholes, and banning high-capacity magazines are practical steps that have broad public support. Additionally, investing in mental health services and community programs can address some of the root causes of violence.

Ending on a positive note, the power to enact these changes lies in the hands of voters. By holding politicians accountable and voting for leaders who prioritize public safety over lobbyist money, we can break the cycle of inaction and create a safer society for everyone.

It’s Not Just About Guns

To wrap things up, we’ve seen how political inaction and lobbyist influence perpetuate a cycle of violence and tragedy. It’s clear that addressing gun violence requires more than just thoughts and prayers — it demands real, legislative action. By staying informed, engaged, and voting for change, we can hold our leaders accountable and work towards a future where public safety is prioritized over profit.

It’s not just about guns; it’s about ensuring a government that values the lives of its citizens and acts with integrity and responsibility. Together, we can push for the changes needed to protect our communities and break free from the stranglehold of gun violence.

Sources:
Missouri Republican Congressman Billy Long’s quote on mass shootings and abortion:

Source: American Journal News

NRA’s influence and spending on lobbying:

Source: OpenSecrets

Examples of shootings and political inaction:

Sandy Hook Elementary School (2012):

Source: History.com

Pulse Nightclub (2016):

Source: NBC News

Las Vegas Shooting (2017):

Source: CNN

Parkland, Florida (2018):

Source: BBC

El Paso Walmart (2019):

Source: BBC

International comparisons:

Japan’s gun control:

Source: BBC

Australia’s gun control:

Source: BBC

Canada’s gun control:

Source: Global News

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