The Most Powerful Weapon in a Democracy

Last week, after the Las Vegas massacre, once again, I was moved to write. Not just for myself to help fathom the unfathomable, but to voice my outrage and maybe, just maybe, shine a light on a path forward.

I wondered if our local paper, which was caught up in our town's mayoral primary, would publish it. They did. Today, on the same day that Facebook pulled up a photo of me from 2010 when I was visiting my aunt and my cousin and her husband. A professional hunting guide, he was giving me clear and safe instruction on how to use a firearm, just like my uncle had a half century previously.

Here's the link to the letter (it's below as well). If you follow the link, you'll see the letter published right before mine. It gives a pretty clear picture of the big divide on this topic, especially in this county. See what you think about the "godless lowlife" who penned this piece.

It used to be said that the pen is mightier than the sword. I fear no number of pens are as mighty as the NRA.

To the Editor,

Every year, there are nearly 12,000 firearm homicides in our country. That’s more people than live in Catawba, Claremont, and Conover, combined.

According to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine, compared with 22 other high-income nations, the U.S. gun-related murder rate is 25 times higher.

Why?

It comes down to regulations, enforcement, education, and expectations – in short, the culture. One pundit, Bill O’Reilly, blogged that gun violence is “the price of freedom.”

I disagree. My vote is with the majority of Americans who support firearm control. I don’t mean outlawing them, but enacting sensible policies on background checks, silencers, and assault weapons, to name a few.

What will it take? Thoughtful lawmakers who will consider and support reasoned legislation. Let’s look at our representatives. At the federal level, we have Sen. Richard Burr, who voted against a ban on assault weapons, and Sen. Thom Tillis, who voted against prohibiting the transfer of firearms to suspected terrorists. Last year, both senators voted against universal background checks for firearms purchases.

Our congressman, Patrick McHenry, says on his website that he is “currently a co-sponsor of legislation that will protect Second Amendment rights, including the SAFE Act and National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, allowing for concealed carry reciprocity among states." He earned an A rating from the National Rife Association, while State Senator Andy Wells has received an NRA 93 percent rating.

State Representative Jay Adams sponsored the "Constitutional Carry Act," which would allow any U.S. citizen 18 years or older to be able to carry a concealed handgun, unless otherwise disallowed by state or federal law.

What is the sense in that? Responsible gun owners tell me the NC permitting process is reasonable and sound. Why let someone, like me, carry a weapon without checking whether I understand the weapon and safety?

Remember the lesson relearned from Watergate? Follow the money.

In 2016, the NRT gave Donald Trump, Burr, and five other Senate candidates $50.2 million (Burr got $6.2 million, the biggest chunk after Trump). Imagine how much education, and more, you could fund for $50.2 million? You could even train people in firearm safety.

At this point, after 477 days with 521 mass shootings, I'm with Rosanne Cash, who says, "The NRA funds domestic terrorism."

How to change this? Communicate with your elected representatives. Consider carefully who gets your support. Above all, vote. That's the most powerful weapon in a democracy.