Who Asked Me? America, Are You Going To Kill Me?

by Beverly Gadson-Birch
Beverly Gadson-Birch Beverly Gadson-Birch

The Fourth of July started off and went out with a bang. What started out as a day of celebration in Highland Park, Illinois ended with seven persons dead and forty seven wounded. The initial count was six dead and forty six wounded. One of the wounded later died raising the death toll to 7. How many more innocent lives have to be taken before these seat warmer politicians take swift action outlawing high power assault weapons?

America wants to portray herself to the world as powerful. Yet, she can’t control her mass murderers. She has allowed gun toting vigilantes to hide behind the Second Amendment which gives citizens “the right to keep and bear arms.” What about my rights? Don’t I have a right to be safe in a grocery store, church or an event?

Further study or interpretation of The Second Amendment right to bear arms “was influenced by the English Bill of Rights as an auxiliary right which supported the natural rights of self-defense and resistance to oppression and the civic duty to act in concert in defense of the state.” White men made the laws, interpret the laws and break the laws. Now, y’all know I am not the brightest star in the Zodiac but I ain’t the dullest either. Are y’all telling me these 22 year old white males in the last couple of mass shootings are performing their “civic duty, or acting in defense of this country?” Does that give them the right to own an assault weapon?

Although, the Second Amendment gives a person the right to own a gun, it was for citizen’s protection. It was not intended as a license to “kill.” If a gunman walks into a school with an assault weapon, kills innocent children is the reasoning that “they were a threat?” A gunman drives two hours to a Buffalo, NY supermarket killing 10 black shoppers and wounding three others and the reasoning is “they were a threat?” A gunman walks into a church and kills nine members of a Bible Study Class, and the reasoning is “they were a threat?” Give me a break!
The American judicial system is fundamentally flawed. Time brings on change and change requires new laws and amendments to existing laws. Out of touch politicians need to go home and make room for younger bucks with fresh ideas. Older politicians are simply stuck in a rut.

On July 4th, a gunman perched atop a building, killed seven people out to enjoy the day’s festivities with their families and children. Who would have thought such an occasion would possibly end in a bloodbath. Parents and children are emotionally scarred from the event. Grocery stores, churches, and parades are as American as apple pie. I never felt unsafe at a grocery store, parade or church. It seemed like only yesterday my parents left windows up and doors unlocked. Now, I find myself, with padlocks, security system and, yes, my Smith and Wesson.

According to CBS News over 220 people were shot and killed in the United States over the July 4th weekend and at least 570 more wounded. That’s slightly more than four people per state. As baffling as these statistics may seem, the death toll will continue to rise until there is a citizen ban on purchasing assault weapons and a law making it illegal for a citizen to own one.

Politicians are on the fence when it comes to gun control. They dare not go up against one of the most powerful associations in America, the NRA. Many campaigns are funded by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Politicians are not going to risk losing funding and lifetime benefits by voting against assault weapons. It’s going to be hard stopping the flow of assault and high powered weapons in this country. These weapons should have been restricted to government use only.

So, now what? America, are you going to keep me safe, or are you going to kill me? Put a stop to mass murders. Ban assault weapons!