I decided to write this entry in response to the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. For those of you who have not heard, on July 21, 2012, James Holmes attended a midnight showing of the long awaited movie, The Dark Knight Rises, with an evil agenda in mind. At some point, during the course of the movie, Holmes left the theater propping open the emergency exit. He later returned armed with an arsenal of weapons including an assault riffle, a 12-gauge shotgun, two glock handgun, two canisters of tear gas and 6000 rounds of ammo. Fully clothed in tactical gear and carrying an extended clip with the ability to spray 100 bullets per minute, Holmes began to unleash a spray of bullets on the crowd of stunned onlookers. At the end of the assault 10 were instantly killed, 58 were injured and, 2 later died at area hospitals. The victims ranged in ages from 6 to 51. Later, the suspect was found outside the theater and was arrested without incident; only to later reveal that he had booby-trapped his apparent with a variety of improvised explosive devices. Now that it has been a few days after the worst shooting in the history of the United States, we all ask ourselves, "How could this happen?", "Could decent gun control laws have stopped this horrible tragedy?" For years the National Rifle Association or, the NRA has presented themselves as the defenders of the second amendment. The well oiled machine that is the NRA raises approximately 200 million dollars a year. 4.3 million members strong, the NRA is widely considered by congressional staff members as the most influential lobbying group on the hill. It is very obvious why getting any legislation regrading gun control is an up hill battle with a political Goliath like the NRA against you. So back in 1994 when then President Clinton successfully passed the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, also know as the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, banning the sell of all assault weapons, the NRA declared war on the congressman that aided in the passing of this bill. Closely coordinating with the Republican Party during the 1994 election cycle, the NRA proclaimed that they were single-handily responsible for the Democratic Party loosing control of Congress and the defeat of notable congressman Jack Brooks and Speaker of the House Tom Foley, the first Speaker of the House to lose a re-election bid since 1862. It is very easy to understand why on September 13, 2004, when the ban on assault weapons expired, there was hardly a whisper of protest. There have been efforts to renew the ban; however, no piece of legislation regarding this issue has even made it to the house floor for a vote. I end my very first blog with a call to action for my PAID elected officials, who are elected to serve the constituents of their districts faithfully and honestly, while putting aside any chance for their own personal advancement or personal monetary gain. To my elected officials I say: your deepest-most-heartfelt sympathies although greatly appreciated is not enough. American will no longer turn on, tune in, and drop out. We are sick of the Columbine's, the Virgina Tech's, the Tuscon's, and now the Aurora's of American. Our blood is on your hands.
