Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
It is often said that “politics make strange bedfellows.” And, during this current and very unconventional election cycle, truer words have never been spoken.
This week, I find myself in the unimaginable position of having to agree with Donald Trump, to a degree. (Yes, you heard me right.)
The presumptive nominee of the Republican Party is now on record in advocating that people on the terror watch list, or the no fly list, should be barred from buying firearms.
Trump’s new stance departs from positions of the Republican Party and the National Rifle Association, whose endorsement Trump frequently boasts about on the campaign trail. But, in typical Trump fashion, his position on the hot-button issue of gun control seems to change every time he opens his mouth.
At recent speech events, Trump has boastfully asserted that he is “going to save your Second Amendment.” And, as he has after other mass shootings, Trump continues to insist that more gun ownership is the answer, not less.” Even more disturbing, is Trump’s latest rant that the United States should “seriously” consider profiling Muslims inside the country as a terrorism tool.
This is the latest example of the Republican presumptive nominee taking positions that could single out a group based solely on their religion.
In spite of what Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) would have the country believe about the sanctity of the Second Amendment, most Americans now support some form of gun control. According to a Pew poll released in August: • 85% of people support background checks for purchases at gun shows and private sales; • 79% support laws to prevent the mentally ill from buying guns; • 70% approve of federal database to track gun sales; • And,57% favor a ban on assault weapons as we have seen, time and time again, Republicans are totally obsessed with the Second Amendment and are fearful of incurring the ire of the N.R.A. for not toting the company line.
In general, Republicans act as if “the right to bear arms” is an “absolute right,” which cannot be limited or abridged. During the primaries, Trump, who is a gun owner, spoke often about his affinity for guns as a way to prove his conservatism. And, appears to be in lockstep with the N.R.A. on virtually all other issues, including his opposition to a ban on assault weapons.
To make matters worse, earlier this week, the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate failed to advance four separate measures aimed at curbing gun sales, the latest display of congressional inaction after a mass shooting. And, further action on gun safety measures or mental health provisions seem unlikely before the fall election.
It’s estimated that there are approximately 300 to 400 million guns in this country; one for every man, woman and child, with a sizeable number leftover.
Having more guns in our midst won’t make us any safer. It’s long past the time to enact common sense gun control measures that ensure the public’s health as well as its safety.