2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumMartin O'Malley is pissed.
I'm pissed.
I'm pissed that after an unthinkable tragedy like the one in South Carolina yesterday, instead of jumping to act, we sit back and wait for the appropriate moment to say what we're all thinking: that this is not the America we want to be living in.
I'm pissed that were actually asking ourselves the horrific question of, what will it take? How many senseless acts of violence in our streets or tragedies in our communities will it take to get our nation to stop caving to special interests like the NRA when people are dying?
I'm pissed that after working hard in the state of Maryland to pass real gun controllaws that banned high-magazine weapons, increased licensing standards, and required fingerprinting for handgun purchasersCongress continues to drop the ball.
It's time we called this what it is: a national crisis.
I proudly hold an F rating from the NRA, and when I worked to pass gun control in Maryland, the NRA threatened me with legal action, but I never backed down.
So now, I'm doubling down, and I need your help. What we did in Maryland should be the first step of what we do as a nation. The NRA is already blaming the victims of yesterday's shooting for their own deaths, saying they too should have been armed. Let's put an end to this madness and finally stand up to them. Here are some steps we should be taking:
1. A national assault weapons ban.
2. Stricter background checks.
3. Efforts to reduce straw-buying, like fingerprint requirements.
Not one of the GOP presidential candidates comes even close to being right on this issueand some actually believe that things like background checks are excessive, or that high-capacity magazines are a basic right. Well, I believe we all have a basic right to safe schools, safe places to worship, and safe streets.
Are you with me?
Martin O'Malley
https://martinomalley.com/wemustact/
JustAnotherGen
(31,834 posts)I disagree with!
elleng
(131,018 posts)still_one
(92,280 posts)long as that exists, nothing will change
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)until the occupiers of the halls of congress get on board, nothing will change.
The bigger question is when will the next gun-fueled atrocity occur?
still_one
(92,280 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)Governor Martin O'Malley signed the sweeping gun control measure Thursday. Under the new legislation, which the governor helped push through the General Assembly, anyone buying a handgun will have to submit fingerprints to obtain a license. The bill also bans 45 types of assault weapons, but those who own the weapons before the law goes into effect will be allowed to keep them.
Gun magazines will be limited to 10 bullets, gun ownership by people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility will be banned, and Maryland State Police will be able to suspend the licenses of gun dealers who fail to comply with recordkeeping obligations.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Governor-Martin-OMalley-to-sign-gun-control-legislation--207695891.html
handmade34
(22,756 posts)yes it is... the persistent, lingering hatred of people of color is a national crisis and a national disgrace
...the gun issue is a disgrace also
BainsBane
(53,038 posts)brer cat
(24,580 posts)"Let's put an end to this madness and finally stand up to them."