LJ/DW Idol: Week 8: All Hat no Cattle

[adoptedwriter]

 Week 9: All Hat no Cattle

 

Dear Members of Congress,

 

A few voices cannot make a difference. Many voices are often powerless, but the collective voices of state and federal senators and representatives are definitely influential. You have power and privilege that most of your voters will never have. This is why we rely on you to promote our wishes and needs.

 

Most urgently, our country requires significantly increased gun/weapon control. I know we have the Second Amendment, but the problem is that this right is being abused by retailers who seek to profit from sales, owners who have too few restrictions plus proper training, and also political interest organizations that happen to support citizens wanting to possess firearms which are also are contributing financially to political campaigns. Unfortunately when running for office, congresspeople and their respective parties have relied on and accepted their generous monetary offers and have ignored the concerns of citizens who are asking for increased protection from the aforementioned weaponry. 

 

Sounds like a conflict of interest.

 

We have reached a time in history when certain topics must be readdressed, and the issue with firearms, especially the automatic and semi-automatic ones is out of control. A freedom created for a brand new country in the late 1700s is due for modification because our society has changed greatly. Powered weaponry hadn’t even been invented 240 or so years ago.

 

Citizens in the United States are no longer satisfied with sending thoughts and prayers or putting up yard signs to show support when mass shooting tragedies occur. Your citizens want reform but do not have the power to bring about changes alone, however, a combination of your power backed by voters does.

 

It is challenging but imperative that you understand that our current gun use and ownership regulations need a serious reassessment applicable to modern times. I have almost 40 years in education at many levels. I am a parent and grandparent. I am not just asking but demanding weapon reform so that my students and younger family members can continue to have the privilege and right to safely attend schools in person in the buildings funded by our tax dollars and or tuition, free from fear of being randomly and senselessly attacked by maniacal shooters. After the January 6th, 2021 incident at our US Capitol, wouldn’t you realize that we need better safety and regulation of power weapons? Sadly, anything can happen in public places, but increased preventative measures could possibly make a difference and are worth trying. Citizens insist on your support!

 

This is a growing crisis in our country, and is is just as concerning as “the war on drugs”, illegal immigration, and racial tensions. It’s a “silent” crisis unless it happens in your own sphere of life. We need to think beyond our own spheres or bubbles and look forward. Violent school / public place intrusions and shootings can no longer be tolerated!

 

Suggestions:

 

1- Take the NRA completely out of politics. (Or just quit accepting their donations to political campaigns.)

2- Train and equip law enforcement, including the suburban police officers, in effective ways they can “compete” against an active shooter (and cohorts) that often has/have more sophisticated arms than the actual officers.

3- Adjust the “right to bear arms” to reflect contemporary times containing advanced technologies. (Or create a new amendment.)

4- Direct more funding toward strict mental health and cognitive assessment requirements prior to purchasing potentially lethal weapons.

 

I ask and pray that the voices of private citizens whom you represent be elevated and heard by those who have the power and authority to take real action in the weapon control crisis in the United States. We love our freedom in this nation, but with freedom comes responsibility, and part of that responsibility falls upon you as servants of our government, when certain members of society abuse their rights by curtailing the right to life, liberty and happiness of others.

 

Comments

[bleodswean]

I can't imagine a scenario in which this country begins to accept, listen, learn, and change things for the better.

[adoptedwriter]

Yeah…I haven’t been able to believe it for a long time, but I might just send this to my state and federal reps just to see what happens. (Prob nothing, but I can try).

[marlawentmad]

I appreciate that attitude. It can feel useless, but I think it's important that people keep trying and say their piece. I hope you do send it.

[gunwithoutmusic]

You know, I really would like to be able to go back and be a fly on the wall at the time when the Bill of Rights was being drafted, and see exactly what the intent was behind the 2nd Amendment. It certainly seems like the intent was along the lines of, "Hey, just in case we need to beef up our army really quick, we should make sure that people we're conscripting at least have ACCESS to firearms and know how to use them."

Which seems reasonable for the time, although it's strange that they chose to enshrine that as a human right and decided that their vague language was specific enough for future generations to figure out exactly what they meant. Now, I don't really have a horse in this race - I know people that are avid hunters or shooters and use their firearms responsibly, but I have no personal desire to ever own or use any sort of gun, so I wouldn't personally be affected by anything changing, but some people I know might be.

I do agree with your four bullet points at the end. It's hard to believe that the Columbine shooting was 23 years ago, and instead of waking people up, it seems like everything just got worse.

[adoptedwriter]

I totally agree!
The Founding Fathers had no idea re semi and automatic weaponry. Muskets and rifles are harmful enough but we needed them to hunt to eat and get food, (also stop wild animal attacks), so priorities were different. My son-in-law is a deer hunter, (country boy) but it's a certain time of year thing and he does not hunt for random sport. He gets one and it is used for food. Done. He grew up in that culture. He's not into ridiculous armory.
Thanks for stopping by.

[roina_arwen]

“Bullet points” Heh. 😉

[adoptedwriter]

Ha! Yes...Why I decided to number my list instead. LOL

[roina_arwen]

This was very well written and thought out, and I definitely agree with the points you make.

I also think it would be a good idea to send it to all your congressmen, senators, local officials, etc. You can’t make changes if you don’t try. Good luck!

[adoptedwriter]

Thank you so much! I invite anyone here to copy and adapt this piece to contact their own respective state and federal reps and senators.

[banana_galaxy]

This is the perfect topic for this prompt. The nation's gun laws need to be closer to California's. I read that, as a result of California's strictest gun laws, we have far fewer shootings per capita of the population, despite the size of our total population. It can work with the right politicians in charge.

[adoptedwriter]

The 1st thing I thought of was politicians.

[alycewilson]

You definitely should send a version of this letter to your representatives in Congress. Such an important issue.

[adoptedwriter]

I will! I’ll let y’all know if I get a response.

[swirlsofpurple]

Brilliantly put

[adoptedwriter]

Wow! Thanks!

[tonithegreat]

Very well said! In Florida, Scott and Rubio, our senators, are already bought and paid for by the gun lobbies. My congressman is in a fight for his life with the governor and state senate trying to dismantle his district so they can gerrymander it more to their liking. It is hard not to despair. But I believe in fighting the good fight. Sending this is definitely part of that.

[adoptedwriter]

Thanks! I used to like Rubio at one point... These ppl need to look to other sources for campaign funds.

[drippedonpaper]

Things definitely need to change!

It's so ...snarled up. Does no one care? Is anyone safe anywhere anymore?

I am glad you are sending this out!

[adoptedwriter]

Thanks! I agree!

[ofearthandstars]

Not long after Gary posted the prompt I ran across posts from Stella Parton on Twitter referring to Texas officials as all hat and no cattle in response to Uvalde, so I'm glad someone tackled this as topic BECAUSE IT'S SO ON POINT!

I wrote postcards to my reps this weekend begging for them to at least consider some common sense gun laws, but since my senators are some of the largest recipients of NRA money, I'm not sure it will do much good. :/

[adoptedwriter]

All we can do is keep voicing our beliefs.

[dsrmousey]

This...definitely this! Very well done P. May we print this and use it? Peace ~~~ Desiree

[adoptedwriter]

Thanks! You betcha!

[ashgael]

The amendment doesn't need changing, it already says "well regulated".
People need to stop ignoring that part and groups and politicians need to stop fear mongering every time any regulation is suggested.
More importantly, politicians should have to publicly list all major contributions and where they come from.
That list should be easy to access.
As should voting records
It would tell us a lot more about how that person will vote then any rhetoric they put out.
Red laws are a start at lest.

[adoptedwriter]

I agree. More openness to information is a must. I agree!
It's convincing the powers that be what "well regulated" means in today's world.

[dadi]

A great letter! If they'd only listen :'(

[adoptedwriter]

Thanks! All I can do is try...

[d0gs.livejournal.com]

This is a really great take on the prompt for this week.

[adoptedwriter]

Thanks so much!