Guns after Parkland

Gun culture 2018.  I did not write after Orlando or Las Vegas or any other senseless gun violence since Sandy Hook because I was too discouraged and broken to say any more than what I have been saying for years. I could have just kept adjusting (upping) the numbers but nothing ever seemed to change. The same hypocrites as before were on TV talking about how horrific the tragedy was and sending thoughts and prayers then turning around and taking money from the N.R.A and motoring along as usual. Platitudes to the people mourning and calling for gun control then stopping any debate in Congress or the Senate. I never knew how they slept at night. I was adrift in the hopelessness of it all.

Now we have Parkland and for the first time in a long time I feel the earth moving, I sense change in the wind and I am so thrilled and energized by these young people who will not let it die. I will join them with all my being and my 60 year old energy but they own this movement. So much of the time since social media came about I have thought of it as a terrible thing, mainly because of our loss of civility, the immersion into our smart phones and computers while losing out on valuable human interactions, the way kids no longer have any filters with regards to bullying since they are online and removed from the face to face interaction.  And now the fake news that spreads like wildfire especially to the less educated among us who feel left behind and are desperately looking for any lifeline of hope. Or perhaps they are looking for validation of a miserable life in which their culture, experiences and environment have ingrained within them that minorities are responsible for their stations in life.  This is what MAGA is about to them. Some nostalgic fantasy they have been told about the past.  But with these kids tackling the issue I can see their energy in stomping out these embers of misinformation before they erupt and spread. And I am seeing the internet age and all Social Media as giving them this ability to unite and spread their message. It is the message of the majority.  All I want and all most people want is common sense gun laws, we do not want to take anyone’s guns that are used for hunting or home defense but there is absolutely no use for an AR-15. They should be used only by police or military. Assault weapons need to be banned, pure and simple. I have seen various statistics and arguments about how effective the 1994 ban was but bottom line is that it was effective in reducing the deaths in school shootings. How is that so hard?

Vote the politicians out who take NRA money, hit businesses with boycotts as their bottom line is simply profit. Immediately call the NRA and their supporters on their bullshit and false claims. Keep it up, young people, we are rooting for you.