Gun violence: Georgia school shooting highlights need for reform

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Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media OPINION (CBM) – The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Sept. 4, claiming four lives, is a sobering reminder of the grave threat gun violence poses in America. Even more disturbing is how some lawmakers have allowed mass murderers easy access to high-powered firearms, leaving parents fearing whether their children will return home safely each day they send them to school.

By refusing to pass commonsense gun control measures, those lawmakers have ensured that mass shooters have easy access to military-grade weapons — designed for war, not civilian life.

The Georgia school shooter used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. The four killings happened within minutes and left nine other people injured.

Attorney General Rob Bonta, addressing the urgency of the situation, declared, “None of it is acceptable. None of it is normal. We will continue to promote the blueprint of California that has led us to transform from 30 years ago, being a state with one of the highest levels of gun violence, to now one of the lowest because of our commonsense gun laws that make us safer. If others did that, we would be safer.”

Bonta, along with 19 other attorneys general, is fighting back by filing an amicus brief supporting Cook County, Illinois’s ban on assault weapons. California has proven that such measures save lives, but this effort must extend nationwide to truly address the crisis.

Gov, Gavin Newsom has also weighed in, reflecting on the immediate tragedy and the broader failure of leadership. “I’ve got four kids, one just going into high school,” Newsom said. “The trauma of these shootings is devastating, not just for the families directly affected, but for entire communities. This is the only country in the world where this happens over and over again. And it will continue happening unless we take serious action.”

Newsom did not mince words in holding lawmakers accountable: “I mean, you had a nominee for president of the United States who almost lost his life to an assassination attempt from a member of his own party, and still, we’ve had no substantive conversations around gun safety. No real discussions on background checks, no conversations about an assault weapons ban, or limiting large-capacity magazines. It’s a serious moment in America that requires serious leadership, and you do not have that from the other party. Gun safety saves lives.”

California’s strict gun laws, which are among the toughest in the nation, were born out of tragedy — the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton. That horrific event, where five children were gunned down, led to the country’s first assault weapons ban. From mandatory background checks and red flag laws, California has created a comprehensive framework that aims to prevent mass shootings like the one in Georgia.

It’s crucial to point out that protecting Second Amendment rights is not at odds with making communities safe. Responsible gun ownership and public safety can coexist through thoughtful regulations that prioritize human lives without infringing on constitutional rights. As Newsom highlighted, “We’re not talking about confiscating guns; we’re talking about commonsense measures overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats that are being denied because of the ideology in the Republican Party and the ideologues in the federal judiciary.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump and his allies have made it easier for mass shooters to arm themselves with the most destructive weapons available. Despite banning bump stocks after the Las Vegas shooting, his administration rolled back restrictions on gun access for people with mental health issues and resisted efforts to tighten background checks or ban assault weapons. These weapons are not for protection. They are designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible.

Trump’s response to the Apalachee High School shooting, calling the shooter a “sick and deranged monster,” rings hollow. The dismantling of gun restrictions under his administration ensured that these “monsters” are better armed than our police, our security guards, and our first responders.

Prioritizing gun manufacturers’ profits over public safety has led directly to tragedies like Georgia’s. Republicans often shift the blame to mental health issues and promote expanded mental health programs and school security measures instead of tackling the root issue – easy access to firearms.

Republican Vice-Presidential nominee JD Vance lamented that school shootings have become a “fact of life” and argued that hardening schools is the best solution. This approach aligns with Trump’s Agenda 47, which focuses on expanding gun rights, and Project 2025, which advocates rolling back gun control laws, promoting civilian armament, and increasing school security protocols.

Vice President Kamala Harris, reacting to the shooting, spoke with compassion and urgency. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” she said. “We can end this epidemic of gun violence, but only if we have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and make real change.”

As we approach the 2024 election, Americans face a critical choice: continue allowing mass murderers access to military-style weapons or follow California’s lead in implementing life-saving gun laws. With gun violence rising, it’s time for the rest of the country to prioritize safety and adopt measures like California’s that protect children, families, and communities.

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Gun violence: Georgia school shooting highlights need for reform

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