"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Benjamin Franklin

 

Echoing Donald Trump’s knee-jerk reaction to news of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Mr. Bykofsky argues that “good guys with guns”, now becoming commonplace in schools, is a potential panacea to preventing such tragedies.  Unfortunately, white supremacists, anarchists, right-wing wackos and a few people suffering from various forms of mental illness have discovered that schools and places of worship are “soft” targets where their aggression can produce maximum carnage … often using assault weapons whose sole purpose is to kill and maim people! 

Once we’ve made our airports, legislatures chambers, court houses, school and houses of worship safe, what next … supermarkets, shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries, sports stadiums/arenas and public parks?  When will we finally claim victory and at what human and financial cost and loss of liberties?

Perhaps the time has come when the public will demand its elected representatives enact sensible gun control legislation such as truly universal background checks for all firearms purchases, 3-day waiting periods, mandatory reporting of all lost or stolen guns, and banning all assault weapons and high-capacity magazines … instead of caving in to the political pressures and contributions from the National Rifle Association. 

Our Second Amendment rights will still be preserved.