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| President Obama makes emotional eulogy at Senator Pinckney's funeral. It was the day he sang "Amazing Grace", surprising every one at the funeral. |
“The vast majority of Americans -- the majority of gun owners -- want to do something about this. We see that now. (Applause) And I'm convinced that by acknowledging the pain and loss of others, even as we respect the traditions and ways of life that make up this beloved country -- by making the moral choice to change, we express God's grace”. (Applause.) President Barack Obama speaking at Senator Clementa Pinckney’s funeral.
Startling gun stats for 2019
During George Bush’s presidency there were 16 mass shootings from 2000 to 2008. Such shootings happened under former presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. President Barack Obama was greeted four months into his presidency with four mass shootings. Before he left office the President had spoken out about 15 different mass shootings. Clinton, Reagan and Bush were somewhat subdued about shootings on their watch.
Mother Jones magazine (Guide to Mass Shootings in America) has a listing of mass shootings in America from 1982 to 2019 and counting. Gun Violence Archive 2019 has collected stats relating to gun incidents, deaths and violence.
“In 1994, the Republicans reclaimed the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. The key factor in the major Democratic loss pointed to the federal assault weapons ban that was passed by Congress on September 13, 1994. A part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, the assault weapons ban banned semiautomatic weapons from having two or more military features and placed a ten-year ban on the sale of assault weapons and large ammunition magazines. The ’94 election was significant because gun control became a deciding factor in the election and wedged two ideologically distant parties further apart”. (NBC News) Congress did not renew the ban upon its expiration September 2004.
When President Barack Obama talked about sensible gun reform or stricter regulations—not to be confused with taking a citizen’s gun or arsenal of guns—he was rebuffed by gun loving Americans, Democrats, gun dealers and sellers, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and all Republicans. Republicans, in spreading a pack of lies, postured that President Obama was going to send government agents to citizen’s homes to snatch their guns and ammunition. Some disillusioned Americans with stockpiles of guns and ammunition said they were ready to engage in a gun battle with the government if it attempted to physically confiscate their guns.
Obama was the best salesman the gun business ever had
Turns out President Barack Obama was the best salesman that the NRA, gun and ammunition sellers ever had. He did not apply for the job. It was automatically bestowed on him. From 2008 to 2016 gun and ammunition sales shot through the roof (excuse the pun) in Virginia. Around 3,153,000 guns were sold. During Republican George Bush’s presidency, the state sold a mere 1,713,000 guns. There was no apparent fear among Republicans and gun lovers that Bush would confiscate their guns.
Newsweek Magazine, 2016, wrote, “President Obama became known as America’s gun salesman-in-chief during his final years in office”. An estimated $29.1 billion in firearms and $16.6 in ammunition were sold during his eight years in office. The purchases were panic buying as encouraged by the NRA and Republicans. Around $21.1 billion in gun sales and $22.1 billion in ammunition sales were realized under both Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush.
In 2016 the gun industry published a report stating that it grew158 percent when Barack Obama was elected. The job market in the gun and ammunition industry also changed. Employment rose from 166,000 to 288,000 to handle the volume of business. Still the lies remained the same: President Obama was a serious threat the Second Amendment, and he was going to take their guns.
In 2016 the gun industry published a report stating that it grew158 percent when Barack Obama was elected. The job market in the gun and ammunition industry also changed. Employment rose from 166,000 to 288,000 to handle the volume of business. Still the lies remained the same: President Obama was a serious threat the Second Amendment, and he was going to take their guns.
With the election of Donald Trump as president, however, gun and ammunition sales dropped by 17 percent. His election made Republicans and the NRA less fearful of stronger regulations, and tougher gun reform laws. Trump was the first president to address the NRA, an organization he fears. In a boastful speech at a NRA conference, Trump told members: “You have a friend and champion in the White House”. Trump’s campaign received more money from the National Rifle Association than any presidential candidate in history. NRA’s Chris Cox, executive director, proclaimed in 2016 that the organization would target any member or members perceived as interfering with their right to own guns.
The media, concerned Americans and Democrats thought after the August 3, 2019, El Paso, Texas mass shooting (22 dead, 26 injured); and the August 4, 2019, Dayton, Ohio mass shooting (nine dead, 27 injured), Trump would hurriedly present Congress with a proposal to lessen gun violence via gun reform and stricter background checks.
Newspaper headlines suggested that Trump is still too scared to buck the NRA. “Donald Trump falls back into line with NRA, blaming mass shootings on mental problems rather than access to assault rifles” (The Australian); “Donald Trump shifts on gun background checks after mass shootings” (Politifact); “Trump blames mass shootings on mentally ill” (Reuters); “Trump blames mass shootings on mentally ill, call for more mental institutions” (Yahoo).
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President Donald Trump met with Marjory Stoneman students and families at the White House. He promised to make changes in school shootings and gun violence.
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The October 1, 2017, Las Vegas, Nevada massacre left 58 dead and an estimated 546 injured. Trump wrote another generic, impersonal tweet. “My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shootings. God bless you”. He attended no vigils. Attended no memorials. Made no public speeches. Made no hospital visits.
After the February 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Trump said school personnel should be armed. He said had he been a security guard at the school he would have stormed the building to take out the shooter. There were 17 fatalities at Marjory Stoneman. The usual grief messages were sent to the victims and families. Students sent word to politicians in Washington that they did not want any more condolences and prayers. They wanted action on gun control.
President Obama as preacher and comforter
According to the FBI a mass shooting occurs when four or more people are killed by one person. On June 17, 2015, a 21 years-old white supremacist wannabe shot and killed eight church members in Charleston, South Carolina. In his “manifesto” rant he said he was angry at Black people; Black men were raping White women; Blacks were trying to take over America. During the Bible study class, a church member opened the door for the young killer, not knowing their time on earth was about to end. He chose Emanuel AME because it is the oldest Black church in South Carolina and the most recognized.
The shooter was welcomed to study with them. He sat with them for an hour before repaying their kindness by shooting them to death. He left one church member alive, instructing her to record what she had witnessed. The shooter was captured hours later. He did not attempt to commit suicide. A cop bought the shooter a hamburger and fries because he was hungry. Despite having a drug charge on his record, he was able to purchase a weapon.
The most memorable speeches made by President Obama were delivered after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre; and the eulogy he delivered at the funeral of Clementa Pinckney. That day he was the Comforter-in-Chief, President of the United States and guest pastor at Emanuel AME. He was comfortable in the pulpit as he delivered the eulogy with the cadence and passion of a seasoned preacher. That was the day he sang “Amazing Grace”, surprising pastors and thousands attending the funeral.
"Michelle and I know several members of Emanuel AME Church. We knew their pastor, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who, along with eight others, gathered in prayer and fellowship and was murdered last night. And to say our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and their community doesn't say enough to convey the heartache and the sadness and the anger that we feel.
“Any death of this sort is a tragedy. Any shooting involving multiple victims is a tragedy. There is something particularly heartbreaking about the death happening in a place in which we seek solace, and we seek peace, in a place of worship. We don't have all the facts, but we do know that, once again, innocent people were killed in part because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands on a gun".
By 2013 President Obama had signed 23 executive orders and proposed 12 Congressional actions to regulate gun control. During his Sandy Hook speech President Obama said at the White House, “We can’t tolerate this anymore. The tragedies must end. And to end them we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true.
No single law—no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society. But that can’t be an excuse for inaction. Surely, we can do better than this”.
Determination to cripple gun violence
President Obama was up for re-election in 2012. His goal was to plow ahead with his determination to cripple gun violence in America. His plan included focusing on mental health treatment for those perceived as a threat, limit magazine sizes, tighten background checks, initiate or restart gun research. A couple of years later--2014—the President proposed that medical histories be included in background checks.
But no matter what President Obama proposed Republicans said no, citing an overused, hackneyed excuse that common sense reforms such as background checks wouldn’t have stopped the Sandy Hook, or any other mass shootings. The best solution was to leave things alone and put a gun in every hand in America. The NRA asserted, religiously, that the only way to beat a bad guy with a gun is to arm a good guy with a gun.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell let President Obama know early on that he would stop, stall or thwart whatever he attempted to negotiate. “We are just gonna oppose whatever the President offer even in the midst of crisis, because if he obtained any bipartisan support that would strengthen him politically”. Retaining power was/is more important than addressing the seriousness of gun violence and reform.
April 17, 2013, a bipartisan proposal requiring background checks for would be gun owners and banning sales of some military style semi-automatic weapons was cut off at the knees by Democrats who controlled the Senate. The vote was 54 to 46. Sixty votes were needed. The Joe Manchin (D) and Republican Pat Toomey proposal created after the Newton school massacre failed to get the 60 votes needed to pass. Lawmakers introduced more than 100-gun reform proposals in Congress in 2016. Only a few made it to the Senate floor.
“New executive actions to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer”
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are committed to using every tool at the Administration’s disposal to reduce gun violence. Some of the gaps in our country’s gun laws can only be fixed through legislation, which is why President Obama continues to call on Congress to pass the kind of commonsense gun safety reforms supported by a majority of the American people. And while Congress has repeatedly failed to take action and pass laws that would expand background checks and reduce gun violence, today, building on the significant steps that have already been taken over the past several years, the Administration is announcing a series of commonsense executive actions designed to:
1. Keep guns out of the wrong hands through background checks.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is making clear that it doesn’t matter where you conduct your business—from a store, at gun shows, or over the Internet: If you’re in the business of selling firearms, you must get a license and conduct background checks.
ATF is finalizing a rule to require background checks for people trying to buy some of the most dangerous weapons and other items through a trust, corporation, or other legal entity.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has sent a letter to States highlighting the importance of receiving complete criminal history records and criminal dispositions, information on persons disqualified because of a mental illness, and qualifying crimes of domestic violence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is overhauling the background check system to make it more effective and efficient. The envisioned improvements include processing background checks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully attempt to buy a gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process these background checks.
2. Make our communities safer from gun violence.
The Attorney General convened a call with U.S. Attorneys around the country to direct federal prosecutors to continue to focus on smart and effective enforcement of our gun laws. The President’s FY2017 budget will include funding for 200 new ATF agents and investigators to help enforce our gun laws.
ATF has established an Internet Investigation Center to track illegal online firearms trafficking and is dedicating $4 million and additional personnel to enhance the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. ATF is finalizing a rule to ensure that dealers who ship firearms notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen in transit. The Attorney General issued a memo encouraging every U.S. Attorney’s Office to renew domestic violence outreach efforts.
3. Increase mental health treatment and reporting to the background check system.
The Administration is proposing a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care. The Social Security Administration has indicated that it will begin the rulemaking process to include information in the background check system about beneficiaries who are prohibited from possessing a firearm for mental health reasons. The Department of Health and Human Services is finalizing a rule to remove unnecessary legal barriers preventing States from reporting relevant information about people prohibited from possessing a gun for specific mental health reasons.
4. Shape the future of gun safety technology.
The President has directed the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security to conduct or sponsor research into gun safety technology. The President has also directed the departments to review the availability of smart gun technology on a regular basis, and to explore potential ways to further its use and development to more broadly improve gun safety.
Congress should support the President’s request for resources for 200 new ATF agents and investigators to help enforce our gun laws, as well as a new $500 million investment to address mental health issues. Because we all must do our part to keep our communities safe, the Administration is also calling on States and local governments to do all they can to keep guns out of the wrong hands and reduce gun violence.
It is also calling on private-sector leaders to follow the lead of other businesses that have taken voluntary steps to make it harder for dangerous individuals to get their hands on a gun. In the coming weeks, the Administration will engage with manufacturers, retailers, and other private-sector leaders to explore what more they can do. (President Barack Obama’s White House website, 2016)
Mass shootings varied in death and injuries
President Obama was sure Americans and politicians would jump into action, propose sensible gun reform, quickly sending it to his desk to sign after Sandy Hook. He thought their hearts would be touched like his. Surely the House and Senate, all parents, grandparents and great-grand parents, would not play politics with this tragedy.
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President Barack Obama met with Sandy Hook families and children. He took the time to hear their memories and look at photos in an attempt to ease their pain.
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A White House Press Release from President Obama: “This afternoon, I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director Mueller. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation, and made it clear he will have every single resource that he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, counsel their families.
“We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news I react not as a President, but as anybody else would -- as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.
“The majority of those who died today were children -- beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers -- men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams”.
Addressing the shortsightedness of the shooter, President Obama said at Pinckney’s funeral, “He didn’t know he was being used by God. Blinded by hatred, the alleged killer could not see the grace surrounding Reverend Pinckney, and that Bible study group -- the light of love that shone as they opened the church doors and invited a stranger to join in their prayer circle. The alleged killer could have never anticipated the way the families of the fallen would respond when they saw him in court -- in the midst of unspeakable grief, with words of forgiveness. He couldn’t imagine that”, President Obama said the shooter, who wanted to jumpstart a race war.
"None of us can or should expect a transformation in race relations overnight. Every time something like this happens, somebody says we have to have a conversation about race. We talk a lot about race. There's no shortcut. And we don't need more talk. (Applause.) None of us should believe that a handful of gun safety measures will prevent every tragedy. It will not. People of goodwill will continue to debate the merits of various policies, as our democracy requires -- this is a big, raucous place, America is. And there are good people on both sides of these debates. Whatever solutions we find will necessarily be incomplete”.
Five days after the Sandy Hook shooting, Eric Holder, attorney general, announced, “We plotted our strategy and made the determination that the vice president and I would lead the effort, along with Janet Napolitano to try to really come up with common sense gun safety proposals”.
President Obama said of the project, “This not some Washington commission. It’s not something where folks are going to be studying the issue for six months and publish a report that get read and then pushed aside. This is a team that has a very specific task to pull together real reformers right now”.
Backing off of his promise to talk gun control and background checks, Trump is now saying that gun violence is due to mental illness. He said that mentally ill folks who kill with guns should be locked away in institutions, which would be costly and laden with bureaucratic paperwork. As usual, Trump jumps before he evaluates the distance of the fall. Details and planning are not his first priorities.
After the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, Donald Trump pinpointed mental illness as the culprit for the shootings. He said at a recent campaign rally in New Hampshire that America does not have any more mental institutions, many of which were closed decades ago. Thousands of patients ended up homeless or placed in facilities approved by the state. A federal law prohibits Medicaid making payments for mentally ill individuals living with more than 16 patients in a single facility. Trump said his plan will allow states to seek waivers from restrictions, providing they meet certain requirements. He has not shown or explained his plan.
On August 31, 2019, in Odessa and Midland, Texas a 36-years old, recently unemployed White male, armed an AR-style rifle, randomly killed 7, wounded or injured 21. He had a misdemeanor on his record; that should have stopped his purchasing a weapon. Authorities are saying they are not sure where he purchased the weapon. Reportedly, a routine traffic stop led to the mass shooting. There was no warrant for his arrest when he was stopped.
Texas governor Greg Abbott implied that rather than concentrate on stricter gun restrictions he wants to concentrate on fighting hate, racism and terrorism. He says he wants to keep Texas safe, but the laws he signed into law, that went into effect September 1, 2019, screams a different message. Texas legislators passed gun laws making it easier for shooters to fulfill their angry fantasies of mass killings. The 2019 laws:
1. House Bill 1143--Prevents school districts from prohibiting the possession of firearms in private motor vehicles by limiting their authority to regulate the manner in which they are stored in locked vehicles. This includes school employees. School employees with a license to carry can keep their guns locked in their vehicle on the school parking lot.
2. House Bill 1177--Allows people in an area that has been declared a State or local disaster to carry a handgun without a license to carry for 7 days from the date an evacuation notice is given as long as the person can legally possess a firearm under federal and State law.
3. House Bill 2363--Allows foster parents to store firearms in a safe and secure manner while making them more readily accessible for personal protection purposes. No longer have to be “stored” in separate locations.
4. House Bill 3231--Improves the state’s firearms preemption law, curbs the ability of municipalities to abuse their zoning authority to circumvent state law to restrict the sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition at the local level. The law allows the State Attorney General to sue local municipalities that are in violation.
5. SB 741—Prohibits a property owners association from prohibiting or restricting the possession, transportation, or storage of a firearm r ammunition. Also prohibits restrictions on the lawful discharge of a firearm.
The first mass shootings in Texas happened in 1966. The shooter, a White male, stood in the University of Texas Tower and plucked off individuals like they were sitting ducks. Twelves more mass shootings occurred from 1999 to 2019. With Texas’s new gun laws mass shooters are more protected than soft target citizens.
Donald Trump has refused to tell the Senate to cut short all vacations and come back to Washington work on or pass some the gun control reforms Democrats have already sent to the Senate. Mitch McConnell is in control. He won’t let the proposals see the light of day.
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