Fired Up!

Since the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week, I’ve been torn and disgusted that our lawmakers still think, “now is not the time to talk about Common Sense Gun Legislation.” As disgusted and appalled as I’ve been, I have also been encouraged and inspired by the students affected in Parkland, Florida.  They are fired up and ready to fight back on every level.

I’ve listened to their articulate voices, crying foul to the lawmakers who spew a lot of rhetoric and then do nothing.

I’ve seen the lies and false propaganda promoted against these teens by those who attempt to silence and then I’ve watched them: Emma, Cameron, Delaney, Kyle, David and so many others–ignore the stupid and stay focused on their goal–to make sure their voices are heard.

I’ve watched them stand before lawmakers and speak their minds and not back down even when the lawmakers disappointed them.

I watched them during the CNN Town Hall where they were very bold and courageous, fired up and determined to make their voices heard over all the noise of the naysayers and especially, the NRA. They are awesome and instead of the derision and contempt shown to them by Fox News and others, they should be applauded for having the guts to do, what most adults wouldn’t do–stand their ground.

I also watched grieving parents at the “Listening Session” hosted by the White House. I heard a grieving father express just how “pissed off” he was at losing his daughter to gunfire in her school. I also heard his determination to do something–with or without lawmakers or those sitting in the White House.

And then I heard Donald Trump, with a cheat sheet of comments–say, “let’s arm the teachers.” Obviously, he has no clue that obtaining a permit to conceal and carry a “handgun” with military training–would not stop someone with an assault weapon. There is no way to “conceal an assault weapon” to counter an attack by someone with one. Absurd is the mildest adjective I can use in this forum. Others have been far more succinct in their disgust by this suggestion.

The bottom line to the dilemma in this society is this: Republican lawyers are so bound by blood money from the NRA they will never change their stance and enact Common Sense Gun legislation. And we know from what Dana Loesch said last night, NRA is never going to support a ban on any type of weapon nor do they support raising the age limit to 21. Their consistent argument about the 2nd amendment falls hollow when (as it was pointed out last night by two people), the 2nd amendment dealt with the formation of a “militia to protect and defend states,” not as open door for individuals to own any and every type of weapon.  No one needs an assault weapon who is not in the military or law enforcement since their only purpose is to kill people. To use hunting as an excuse for owning an assault weapon is an indicator of someone not knowing that assault weapons “shred the target,” just like they shred human targets.

There is a simple solution–one that does not require any background checks, or increase in mental health care or even any money spent–we simply need to #VoteBlue in every election, removing Republicans from the equation and letting Democrats enact the legislation needed to save children and other innocent victims from dying due to gun violence.

The NRA–and all those who support them and their efforts to put guns in the hands of anyone who wants one–should take the time to pray (since they claim they’re Christians) and seek God–asking Him to show them the truth about themselves–they lack humanity and compassion and are only interested in profiting from the loss of lives.

I’ve stated before that I am a legal, responsible gun owner and I believe in all the rights afforded every person based upon our Constitution, but I also believe we must hold lawmakers accountable for their inaction when they have it within their power to change the course of events, but won’t because of the money they receive from the empire of evil–the NRA.

The parents and students are right–enough is enough–the time is past for thoughts and prayers–bold, courageous action must be taken before the next school shooting or massacre of anyone in any place. It’s time for America to get “Fired Up” and support these teens in their efforts to get the attention of all on Capitol Hill and the White House so they don’t have to see others suffer loss of life. It’s time for every adult–who is a registered voter to contact lawmakers and let their feelings be known about assault weapons and the deaths of innocent people. And when the lawmakers refuse to listen or act–it’s time for Voters to get Fired Up and vote them out of office.

I’m Mary Hall-Rayford and I’m Fired Up and ready to serve all Everyday Americans and to take on the gun lobbyists in Washington. Let’s get it done.

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The Children Will Lead!

It is truly unfortunate that our nation is once again, struck by indefensible killings of students and their teachers. What’s even more horrific is the silence from those lawmakers who are more committed in their continuance of accepting donations from the NRA than in establishing and enacting Common Sense Gun Laws. To offer their, “thoughts and prayers” without doing anything concrete to stop the stupid is as insulting and heartless as one could possibly be. Exactly what are thoughts and prayers going to do to stop the senseless carnage and loss of life?

What our “elected” politicians seem to forget is that prayers without action won’t change anything. But the children understand this–they know thoughts and prayers won’t stop a determined shooter from going into a school and gunning down students who came to school to learn, not to die.

Emma González understands and those students in Parkland, FL understand— that it is the responsibility of lawmakers to change the course of events by enacting Common Sense Gun Laws–who at the moment seem frozen into complete impotence because they’re afraid to buck the NRA after taking millions in contributions to them. They are bought and paid for by NRA and nothing short of a miracle will cause them to mobilize and do what should have been done long ago.

How many times must we sit back and watch the news and see how children and other innocent people have been gunned down by those who legally purchased guns, in particular assault weapons, with more ease than some teens can buy cigarettes? This is totally unacceptable. The visit by trump to visit a victim in the hospitable was just as tasteless and inappropriate as his throwing paper towels to victims of the hurricane in Puerto Rico. Attempting to console people is not an opportunity for a photo op in which he comes off looking like a grinning fool. No one appreciates the “thumbs up” gesture in a time of sorrow and mourning. No empathy capable by him and his lack of compassion for the families is absolutely abhorrent.

I’m supporting the planned walk-out by many students across the nation on April 20, 2018 and any other protest, including my own creativeness in reaching out to those who voted for him to understand, if we don’t change the way we think about the use of assault weapons, their child could be next. And perhaps that’s what it’s going to take–a number of trump supporters losing their children to gun violence or the lawmakers losing a child to gun violence–maybe then, they’ll see the need to get off their butts, return the money to the NRA and do the job they were elected to do–establish sensible laws for the benefit and protection of all Americans.

The children of Parkland, Florida will lead the charge but they won’t be alone. The nation will be right behind them, supporting them every step of the way. At least those of us with a heart will be right behind–the rest–well–they’ll have to deal with the consequences of their inaction.

I am a legal gun-owner, but I do not own an assault weapon because I have no need for one and neither does anyone else who is not actively serving in the military or law enforcement. That’s the bottom line for me. No one else needs an assault weapon since their own purpose is to kill and destroy lives. For the lives that were taken–killed for no reason–left behind families whose lives are destroyed as they muddle through life, trying to understand–why?

Anyone who supports the NRA and it’s lack of human decency is complicit in all who are killed by those who are “exercising their 2nd amendment rights.” Any elected official who will not denounce the use of assault weapons and will not ban them, will have the blood of every person killed on their hands and God will judge them accordingly, but the voters will put them out of work to make sure they do not have an opportunity to be the cause of another loss of life.

If the children are willing to take the lead, the rest of us must be willing to follow and make sure elected officials honor lives over money. It is time we stop asking the question, “Is it time to talk about guns,” for it is past time to talk and do what needs to be done to save lives, not collect money.

Call your congressional representatives at 202-224-3121 and demand they establish Common Sense Gun legislation, now–that includes banning assault weapons.