As a public service I’m going to make this very easy for you. You want to do something about all the gun slaughters across America? Do two things:
Step 1: Save your prayers, hand-wringing and sorrow.
They’re useless. Yes, useless. They may make you feel better but they do nothing to prevent next week’s slaughter or the one after that or the one after that.
In fact, they may ensure the mass slaughters keep on coming. Why? Because we’re human. Once we vent our emotions, we feel better, and when we feel better we tend not to do anything about the problem that roused our emotions in the first place.
And then, of course, it happens again. It’s our pattern when it comes to guns and slaughter. You’ve noticed this, yes?
We cried over Columbine. Then did nothing.
We cried over Aurora. Then did nothing.
We cried over Virginia Tech and San Bernardino. Then did nothing.
We cried buckets over Sandy Hook. And even then we did nothing, and if little kids being executed at school doesn’t compel us to act, no single incident ever will, not even Orlando.
So maybe – just this once – we dispense with the crocodile tears and all the false, empty expressions of concern and support and do the only thing that has any chance of preventing future slaughters.
Vote.
I know: The horror! You: “You mean get up off my tush and drive to the polls and go through all the bother of signing in with that annoying stubby little pencil and waiting in line and stuff like that?”
Yes, I mean that. It’s the only way. Sorry. It can’t be helped. Sometimes life stinks.
You: “Can’t we just send an email to our congressperson or something?”
You can, but it wouldn’t do any good because I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Your congressperson doesn’t care what you think, not unless you agree with him or her.
Especially when it comes to guns.
When it comes to guns, congress-creatures listen solely to the National Rifle Association because the National Rifle Association sends their campaigns huge checks.
Which brings me to Step 2: Don’t vote for candidates who take money from the NRA because those are the people who are preventing common sense gun control in America – waiting periods, background checks, an assault weapon ban, limits on ammo clips and so on – and that’s the main reason nothing ever happens following slaughters.
If you’re not sure whether your congressperson takes money from the NRA, there’s a very easy test: Is he or she Republican? Then the odds are very high they’re on the NRA dole. The NRA has given about 96 percent of its donations to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
So make it easy on yourself and just don’t vote Republican if you’ve finally had your fill of gun carnage.
I’m sorry if that sounds partisan but it’s really that simple.
Image credit: katesheets
I’m with ya.
I’m afraid it’s gonna be you and me alone on this one.
With you too!
I Agree People need to Vote. and we need Term Limits on all of Congress
Term limits mean nothing! They sell out quicker to the highest bidder. They want a lucrative high paying job after “public service”. They can’t run again so they have no allegiance to us the voter.
I doubt it. I’m with you too. And willing to vote to prove it!
Definitely with you!!!
Couldn’t agree more.
Well said!
I agree!
Right with ya as well~ and ditto on the ‘well said’ !
Yep! You’re alone. It will be President Trump this time next year and we’ll be back to normal!
Its sad nothing will change.
Bravo, AH. Let’s hope more folks respond to the pull of the polls.
You’re not alone! I’m with you! I know a lot of other people who feel the same way.
It takes guts to say something publicly because being insulted, bullied, and called names is tiring and it wears on the soul, so a lot of people just share their thoughts with family or trusted friends.
It does take guts to sign your name and open yourself up to the bullying that will ensue.
You make it sound so simple Andy.
All your dreams could come true, and nothing would change.
If I thought for one second your plan would work, I would be behind you 100%
It is that simple. Really.
I agree totally with you and I would vote for strict gun control or just junk the guns makes me feel better. Along with this I will as a Christian continue to pray for this to happen. We have to be able to get it on the ballot. D. Rump said he is going to have a chat with the NRA. Now doesn’t that make you feel better?
Really, really? I would appreciate it if someone who staunchly advocates the implimentation of ” common sense gun control measures ” could explain why they are so sure that these laws would make a difference. Criminals do not obey laws. If someone has it in their head to commit such an attrocity they will not be deterred with a waiting period or an equipment ban.
In case you have not noticed yet, all of these “mass shootings with assault weapons” have taken place in what seemingly would be the safest places on earth, namely gun-free zones. That doesn’t seem to follow along with the logic that legislation will make it all better, does it?
Why would you think gun free zones would be safer? I congratulate you on cramming a whole bunch of NRA talking points into a very short message tho. I say we go with your logic and eliminate all laws for crime, including murder. Why bother with them – only criminals violate laws so no laws are necessary. Sheesh.
Isn’t that why bleeding hearts such as yourself created gun free zones in the first place? All they have established are known areas where law abiding people will be unable to defend themselves.
In the spirit of respectful discussion I asked if you or any like minded individual could explain how further legislation would make a difference.
It is already against the law to kill others. These mass shootings result in the deaths of defenseless victims.
The gun free zones already make it against the law to bring weapons of any kind to these places. All that does is bolster the confidence of these social misfits because they know they will be the only one there armed.
Instead of offering clarity to your stated position with respect and logic, you choose to ridicule and make absurd statements about eliminating all laws.
Honestly, I had expected more from the self-proclaimed “Best. Columnist. Ever.”
I guess you just can’t believe everything you read.
I agree. Although praying is something as a Christian I will always do. I pray for our country and I believe in my prayer life. I also believe that the only answer for our gun problem is to vote Democratic most certainly. There is no place for assault rifles in the hands of our general population.
Got yer back. In a good way.
Even if that Radical Donaldic Trumpism doesn’t foul up the country even more.
I’m voting and once I heard about our legislators voting to prevent straight party voting I applied for absentee ballot voting. I figure since I’m over 60 why not?
Figure the back ups in past presidential years will be as bad or worse this year.
I’m retired and I want younger voters to have a chance to get to the polls …we need easier voting. And yes I think some guns need to be banned. And I will email reps my thoughts.
It is easy! Vote.. And vote all these people accepting NRA money OUT. Our country is seen as the biggest joke of a country in the whole world. Why does everyone but Americans see how crazy we are?? How did we sink so low.
After wasting time and anger interacting with commenters on your recent column, I came to this same conclusion. The pro-gunners have a million ways of changing the subject, and it’s impossible to have any sort of meaningful conversation with people whose main interest is something other than minimizing loss of life.
Eventually, the tide will have to turn. Millennials who identify as Republicans, as well as those who identify as Democrats already strongly support reasonable gun control measures. There will come a time that voters will be able to break the NRA’s grip on Congress, and sanity will return.
Thanks for being the voice of reason, and keeping it up despite all the hostility. Why, I begin to think you might even ENJOY the hostility. A little bit.
You’re right and I’m with you. Keep spreading the word.
‘ preventing common sense gun control in America – waiting periods, background checks, an assault weapon ban, limits on ammo clips and so on – and that’s the main reason nothing ever happens following slaughters.” -A Heller
Except for background checks, which are already required, none of those are common sense nor are they any good as terrorist controls. Also, the Orlando shooter passed many background checks and was a security guard.
No fly no buy…it’s that simple.
So you want me to not pray and vote for Clinton. Wrong on both accounts.
Excellent column, Andy–like always. You always have a way of putting into words exactly what is on my mind. Keep up the good work.
I am with you, Andy! It must be difficult to take the name calling and abuse you get for your opinion but I salute you especially on this!
Nah. It’s not hard. I’m used to it – I’m married.
I will pray and I will vote
I’m behind you all the way!!! I’d stand beside you, but some gun nut might take a shot at you…certainly hope not! Well said, Andy
You’re absolutely correct, Andrew. 93% of Americans want background checks and other restrictions enacted. But most fail to investigate where their legislator stands and how they vote on these issues. So if they bother to vote at all – and many don’t – they often vote for someone who votes against their point of view on firearms. So, our greatest problem is always apathy and laziness. We get the government we deserve.
I have no problem with common sense gun control laws. Unfortunately, this often-grabbed reason for these slaughters is not the real problem. People go after the guns because it’s a lot easier than finding out why people in this country want to kill other people. When we figure that out, we can really do something about it. After all, guns have been here since the beginning, but these mass killings are only a relatively recent issue.
OH, Gary, that’s nonsense – no offense intended. People kill for the same reasons as ever – greed, fear, loathing, self-loathing. We’re not inventing new human emotions. Gun enthusiasts are expert at finding a million distractions from the simple fact that a grade schooler could recognize – that more guns = more deaths. That’s a simple fact (researched) not my opinion. C’mond.
Let`s ban cars,more deaths are caused by careless drivers,some whom also are owners of firearms,and see what the results are.
More guns equals more death , that explains the recent event of France, where guns are prohibited. Also the reason that Switzerland, with mandatory gun ownership and safety training, has almost no mass killings whatsoever. Where did you do your research, some UN pamphlet? Thanks for the clarification.
Andy,
I love your columns. I like your courage in stating your opinions. Unfortunately, on these issues we have some differences. Yes, I am not religious in any sense of the word. Yes, I am a lifetime gun owner. Yes, I will vote as I have since I was old enough. (Although I do wish someone could come up with a presidential candidate who doesn’t make me want to vomit.) Yes, I would love to sit down and have a chat with you over coffee and a doughnut (remember my previous offer?) Not a “I will change your mind” yelling session, but a clarification of where each of us stands. I am sure each of us would learn something new. Even if it might be we like the same doughnuts.
Each side in this debate has some good points. Points that are often expressed in such a way as to cut off further discussion or the possibility of compromise.
VOTE? VOTE?? What a novel idea !
Hasn’t that been the whole idea all along?
Except for those who haven’t voted, don’t vote, and swear not to vote this November: If more people exercise the privilege to do the research and vote, issues can be steered in another direction.
Prayer is not useless. Look at the faces in the pictures of these mass murderers. Do you not see PURE EVIL?? Prayer is a powerful weapon against pure evil. And pure evil will continue to raise it’s ugly head until we conquer it with all our might: Pray, speak out and vote!
I salute you Mr. Heller for stating this publicly. I already do and have done for many years what you have stated and will continue to do so. I just sometimes feel like I am pounding my head against a brick wall. I am 74 years old and getting a sore head after all of these years. Please keep up your wonderful work
Ha, thanks Sharon. Don’t pound too hard. They aren’t worth it.
Sure, go ahead and get rid of guns. It won’t stop people from carrying out their killing.
Do we get rid of trains when there is a horrible train crash, or airplanes, or cars with drunken drivers. NO, because it’s PEOPLE who do the killing not the vehicle or weapon. Yes, guns are used for killing, but we can do a lot more.
We let people into this country who have no intent on becoming American. (Check out this guy’s father, for example!). We let people plead down their charges, when weapons are involved, when in Michigan there is a 5 yr. minimum sentence for having a gun in possession when committing a felony. Those are the things that need to be fixed – not more laws on guns.
Michigan..2 yr felony gun/ commission of felony.
They’re called magazines, not ammo clips and I doubt limiting the size of magazines sold in stores matters to criminals. You could still buy larger “clips” on the aftermarket and it would be relatively easy to extend one or find someone that could. Good luck changing the laws, if it happened today we wouldn’t see a significant reduction in gun violence in my lifetime.
At 93 I am so fearful for generations to come. Where did sanity become extinct
I fear the gun carrying guy far more than any other threat. I left the GOP long
Ago – Trump terrifies me and people believe he qualifies to lead us.
I believed strongly in gun control, until I was on jury duty several years ago. The trial I was on concerned a shooting on the north end of Flint. When the defendants were asked where they got their guns, they called the gun guy. The spoke of how many guns they could get from him, and if I remember right they were 20 dollar. When it is this cheap and easy to get a gun from the gun guy, how can they be controlled? Once the cat is out of the bag, it is hard to put him back
I’m with, Andrew.
I have written this a couple of days ago.
An “assault rifle” is a tool. Like any other tool you can leave on a table and walk away from it from 1 second to a million years and during that time it will not harm anyone. It is an inanimate object with no will on conscious thought. It cannot do anything on its own. It needs a mentally unstable person to turn it into a killing item.
In all the mass shootings/murders Andrew mentioned, upon close inspection
it turns out that those individuals had some close to identical traits.
1. They were either registered democrats or lived in homes where the values of the democratic party were upheld.
2. Some of them were on mood altering drugs, legally prescribed. They may have used some under the counter drugs sometime in their life.
Ft. Hood shooter and the Pulse nightclub shooter were both part of a violent sect of islam. According to the islamic code homosexuals are to killed.
There is documented proof that homosexuals in the mideast have been thrown off rooftops, burned alive and stoned to death.
It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword.
It is ideas that can either help cure a problem or they can make a situation worse that it would be.
Hitler wrote Mein kampf and it led to the deaths of millions.
Mao had his little red book and during the sixties a few million citizens died during the “Great leap forward”.
There are a few more samples of what the written word has started.
If we lose the 2nd amendment the 1st will quickly be eliminated also.
You will face punishment if you do not toe the democratic line.
That means you who a democrats in your mind.
Dude, somewhere along the line you became detached from reality and rational thinking. What a bunch of drivel.
I just read this in an column in the townhall.com web site.
The Pink Pistols an LBGT gun rights group has seen it’s membership double in size since the Orlando attack.
“The Pink Pistols give condolences to all family and friends of those killed and injured at Pulse,” first speaker of the Pink Pistols Gwendolyn Patton said in a statement earlier this week.
“this is exactly the kind of heinous act that justifies our existence. At such a time of tragedy, let us not reach for the low-hanging fruit of blaming the killer’s gun.
Let us stay focused on the fact that someone hated gay people so much they were ready to kill or injure so many.
A human being did this.
The human being’s tools are unimportant when compared to the bleakness of that person’s soul.
I say again, GUNS did not do this. A human being did this , a dead human being.
Our job now is not to demonize the man’s tools, but to condemn his acts and work to prevent such acts in the future.
Gwendolyn Patton sounds like a very sensible person.
I doubt if Andrew Heller and the other useful idiots who are clamoring for more control have the common sense intelligence to understand what she is talking about.
One person has suggested that those injured in a gun free zone sue the owners of the property who made it a gun free zone for not providing enough security for the patrons of that property.
Perfectly said. I’m with you, too.
Have I got this wrong.. We are talking about a ban on assault rifles? It seems everyone is talking about bans on all guns. Or are the gun lovers so brainwashed by the NRA that when they hear anything to do with guns their minds shut down? I don’t understand why common sense doesn’t kick in and they see that a gun that Has been used over and over for mass killings should not be banned. Yes there will be a black market and it may take a long time to get rid of them. The alternative is to do nothing. Vote those NRA Republicans and anyone else that tries to block lifesaving legislature OUT.
Literally no one is talking about banning all guns. No one. That’s an NRA fabrication.
At the risk of sounding patronizing, I’m very proud of you. This was a gutsy post, but the message is spot-on. I hope people listen.
Thanks, Amy. Appreciated.
If you are curious to see which officials have been given money from the NRA, and how much the donation was, there is this site: http://whoismyvoice.com
I concur with your statements about gun control. I fully intend to vote against the NRA in November.
I have another problem, though. I also want to vote against Monsanto and Enbridge, and I’ve found that, in some cases, that creates conflicts.
Why can’t this be easy?
As to your remedy of using our vote to change the gun control laws, I concur.
My problem, and perhaps the problem of many citizens and the reason this hasn’t been effective so far, is that besides voting against the NRA, I want to vote against Monsanto, and Enbridge. What do we do when our interests conflict?
Are we back to voting the Lesser of Many Evils?