To Hell With Hunters, Keep My Son From Being Shot
Today there was a shooting within a couple blocks of my son’s daycare.
Frankly that’s reason enough to justify my belief that non-police, non-military citizens should not be allowed to own guns. I don’t care about trampling the rights of hunters or collectors. The right to shoot animals or revere guns is trumped by my son’s right to live.
I don’t care what arguments you may have about responsible gun ownership – this minority is opening the door to rampant tragedy. It’s the exception that justifies the law and it just protects the right to kill, cause damage, or increase the risk of same. Guns produce nothing constructive in the hands of private citizens. If we outlaw private gun ownership we can shut down every currently legal way to buy, import, or own guns and ammunition and then have blanket laws and border lockdown on them, whatever gets them off the streets. Gun buybacks should be a regular occurrence so there’s no excuse not to conform to the law – hell, throw in amnesty for non-violent crime as part of the buyback.
I have e-mailed my mayor, MLA, and MP and asked what they are doing and will do to combat gun violence. Their answers will be quite interesting I think.
I believe I’ve found my election issue for the provincial election on May 12th. Unfortunately I don’t believe the candidates in my riding have been selected yet – the NDP incumbent isn’t running.
Who I vote for, donate money to, and perhaps even volunteer for will pivot on this issue.
Is there an anti-gun advocacy group I can join?
Update: The Mayor is calling for a new metropolitan police force. Carole James is criticizing the new provincial budget for no new funding for police programs.
Update: Vancouver MP Ujjal Dosanjh was five blocks away and raced to the scene. “This is completely out of control,” Dosanjh said. “Whatever we are doing now to stop gangs is not working.” He said all levels of government need to rethink policy, come together and figure out a non-partisan solution.
