DOMESTIC TERRORISM: It Affects Everyone

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

This time it happened in Alabama. If the perpetrators were Muslim radicals, right-wing politicians would be screaming and demanding that action be taken immediately. However, for those is Washington, it’s just another bloody weekend in “the greatest country in the world.” That’s what politicians tell us.

The headline this Sunday:

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama. —

Four people are dead and 18 others were shot when multiple shooters fired on "people in the open" Saturday night, according to Birmingham police.]

Information obtained by law enforcement is leading them to believe that this was not an isolated incident. However, it is not clear who the target might have been, or why it happened.

What they do know is multiple shooters began firing into a crowd. Officers believe that many of those injured or killed were innocent bystanders.

THE NRA GUN LOBBY, AND RIGHT-WING POLITICIANS OWNED BY THE NRA, WILL LIE, CLAIMING THAT GUNS ARE NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM

If you have read any of the hundreds of articles I have written about gun violence, or more accurately, “domestic terrorism,” you surely think that I am “anti-gun.” This is far from the truth. I am opposed to violence in any form, including everything from wars to domestic assault.

VIOLENCE: WHAT DOES IT ACCOMPLISH?

I have learned and I believe that violent action is committed by ignorant people who lack the ability to honestly debate their differences and find compromise. Violence always results in more violence, not solutions. It is the prime weakness of far too many human beings, not excluding world leaders.

Wars have been fought in the name of religion, avarice, sexual desire, and to obtain power over others. Hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children have been slaughtered throughout history primarily based on the desires of small groups or even those of a single man.

America is at war with itself. Our government fails to admit that their failures and mistakes are why domestic terrorism continues to grow and has become the greatest danger to the lives of every man, women, and child in America.

THE BEGINNINGS OF OUR “GUN CRAZY” SOCIETY

In 1976 the National Rifle Association ceased to exist as a gun safety organization, morphing into a lobby with the sole purpose of increasing gun sales, and therefore the profits of gun manufacturers and gun sellers. Like every other major corporation, the gun industry’s motto is “profit before people.”

Lies, misdirection, and fear tactics are the tools of today’s NRA. They claim to be an organization which supports the Second Amendment. However, that is a smokescreen. Their gods are money and power.

TWO UNDENIABLE FACTS DEBUNKING CLAIMS ABOUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

Assault rifles were invented with one purpose: to kill large numbers of our nation’s enemies in a short period of time. With the addition of high output magazines, in 10 seconds these weapons of mass destruction can fire about 150 rounds.

There is no logical reason for allowing non-military personnel to won one of these killing machines.

Although they might not be as efficient as assault rifles, handguns share the same fact. They were created to kill other human beings, and for no other legitimate reason.

Current restrictions regarding the sale of handguns are about as effective as the laws preventing the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors. Anyone who wants a handgun can get one. Each year thousands of women and children lose their lives after being shot by handguns. Most of the men and women who attack them are someone they know.

For the NRA, the Republican Party, and the 10 percent of all Americans who own 90 percent of all guns, the Second Amendment is sacred. This is a big lie.

The Second Amendment is poorly written. It is ambiguous. This allows multiple interpretations not anticipated by our Founding Fathers. The original purpose was to secure the existence of a well-armed militia. Most necessary restrictions can be applied without destroying the original intent of the men who signed their names to the Constitution in 1789.

No one wants to take your guns. However, if your intent is personal protection, rifles and shotguns are far more effective. It’s not necessary to be a great shot with a “scatter” gun.

If our government cared about the American people, they would offer more than “thoughts and prayers.” Action is required. Unfortunately for the American people, money in the form of campaign contributions is more important than the lives of our nation’s people.

Our legislative branch must earn the nearly 94 million dollars we pay them each year.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Source: https://www.wvtm13.com/article/alabama-birmingham-mass-shooting-five-points/62318018