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Wednesday, April 3, 2013 - A-List on Americanism by Rich Valdes

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2013 — President Obama recently spoke,surrounded by relatives of the children slaughtered last year in Newtown,from the White House saying: “Shame on us if we’ve forgotten.”

He excoriated Congress in his March 28 speech, his sharp retort followingcomments suggesting that President Obama was dragging his feet onnew anti-gun legislation. Critics call the measures he introduced this yearunconstitutional, arguing that they violate the Second Amendment.

They consider his actions opportunistic, taking advantage of anti-gunsentiment in the wake of the Newtown massacre.

One politician who did jump on the media tidal wave following the heart-breaking Sandy Hook Elementary School murders was New York CityMayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg, who co-chairs the “MayorsAgainst Illegal Guns” coalition , has organized a multi state campaign withmore than 120 events designed to push individual states to “demandcommonsense reforms” regarding gun violence, marking their “NationalDay to Demand Action.”

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12/4/2014 The A-List on Americanism: Gun reform or people reform? | Washington Times Communities

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Meanwhile, Second Amendment supporters and the National RifleAssociation won a victory on Friday, March 22, when Senator Harry Reid(D-NV) announced that he would drop the provision in the Senate’s gunbill banning “assault weapons,” a move that his supporters say upholdsAmericans’ rights to defend themselves. According to the SecondAmendment Foundation “Self Defense is A Human Right.” TheFoundation makes the case that the US cities with the highest incidencesof gun-related violent crime are in the states with the strictest lawsrestricting an individual’s right to self-defense by keeping and bearingarms.

Washington politicians aren’t the only ones debating gun policy. NBCNews reports that the entertainment aristocrat Tony Bennett andHollywood superstar Bruce Willis recently chimed in on opposite sides ofthis issue, with Bennett stating, “I still haven’t gotten over Connecticut …I’d like the assault weapons to go to war, not on our own country, and I’dlike assault weapons eliminated.”

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Willis said, “I think thatyou can’t start to pick apart anything out of the Bill of Rightswithout thinking that it’s all going to become undone. If you take one outor change one law, then why wouldn’t they take all your rights away fromyou?”

Yesterday, former Rep.Asa Huthchinson (R-Ark)released a 225 pagereport on school safety. The report, funded bythe NRA recommendsproperly trained armed

employees to provide “an important layer of security inschools.”

“School safety is a complex issue with no simple,single solution, but I believe trained, qualified armed security is one key component among many,”Hutchinson said, in a press conference unveiling the NRA’s Education and Training EmergencyResponse Program. Hutchinson saying that gun control does not keep children safe when someonesets out with the desire to harm. An act that does not necessarily require guns.

So, do we need gun reform, or people reform? That is, is it guns that kill people or people that killpeople? Will restricting the Constitution by making it harder for citizens to exercise their right of gunownership make us any safer? Will it prevent the perpetrators of violent crimes from illegally obtainingguns? Will stricter gun laws or enhanced background checks stop muggers, bank robbers, or serialkillers?

Or will allowing citizens to exercise their right to use guns defend their families and property againstmuggers, bank robbers and serial killers make us safer?

Some say that enacting stricter gun laws on law-abiding citizens to prevent gun violence is likerestricting car ownership to prevent car theft and vehicular homicide. Others argue that the benefits ofstricter gun laws are worth any costs, and they leverage the emotions that accompany tragedies likeNewtown to make their case.

Americans on Main Street and on Capitol Hill are increasingly skeptical, and public support for guncontrol has weakened according to polls conducted by CBS News and CNN .

Real solutions will be difficult to find if we as parents, voters, and concerned citizens don’t askourselves some tough questions about what we expect gun laws to accomplish, why there is so muchgun violence in America, and whether we need more gun reform or people reform.

Who do you agree with most, Tony Bennett or Bruce Willis? Most importantly, why?

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• Reply •

Mayra Borges • 2 years ago

Very interesting article, being that it provides both sides of people's opinions. Givesthe people alot to think about. Great job Rich!

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• Reply •

walkingricshaw • 2 years ago

People control, self control, understanding yourself and being cognizant of your fellowman. That is the only reasonable form of gun control. Please leave the secondammendment alone. If you want to correct the amount of gun violence in this countryor any other, then you need to rachet down some of the violence in the media, stoprunning with bang bang, pop pop, if it bleeds it leads. Fix the mental health system inthis country, please. Stop coming after my friends and nieghbors with guns.

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The A-List onAmericanism: Gunreform or peoplereform?

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12/4/2014 The A-List on Americanism: Gun reform or people reform? | Washington Times Communities

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• Reply • 3△ ▽

• Reply •

Carol Petrillo • 2 years ago

What a great article! It gives you a good perspective of both sides. It's importantbased on this touchy subject, which is a huge controversy. However, I truly believethat people kill people not guns.

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• Reply •

Izzy • 2 years ago

Great read, Rich! 3△ ▽

• Reply •

Lissette Díaz • 2 years ago

Gun advocates get so riled up when they hear the words "gun control," quoting theSecond Amendment as Scripture. The reality is that the Constitution has beenchanged many times since the birth of our nation, and it is bound to continue changeagain. It is not a stagnant document, and while any of the rights in it should NOT bealtered without SERIOUS deliberation and reason to do so, just clinging to the SecondAmendment is the same as your mom telling you not to do something, "because I saidso." It works until we grow up and start thinking for ourselves. That being said, I cansee both sides of the argument, but what we really need to start looking at is the rolethe gun lobby really plays in our country. Gun manufacturers and dealers are rarelyheld accountable for the product they create, market and sell...the product for whichthey themselves create a black market. Cigarette companies have been heldaccountable, and they have a very strong lobby interest. While we argue with ourneighbors about whether or not we have the right to bear arms (and make no mistake,right now we absolutely do have that right), gun lobbyists, manufacturers and dealersare counting their cash. The panic we all go through in the wake of tragedies likeNewton, Columbine and the theater shooting in Colorado translates very differently indollar signs. ... I enjoyed the article, and I enjoy the debate.

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• Reply •

Ali Fathali • 2 years ago

A great article!! well done. I agree that once you start cherry picking the Bill of Rights,you do open up the flood gates to more loss of civil liberties... after all freedom (andoppertunity) is what brought everyone to America in the first place.

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• Reply •

Frankie Fawcett • 2 years ago

I stand with our founding fathers and the 2-nd amendment.. not only to protect myfamily from harm but to defend myself and my country from tyranny

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• Reply •

Fabian The Trainer Martinez • 2 years ago

Interesting elaboration Rich. I liked the article very much. 3△ ▽

• Reply •

Sandra Santiago- Panton • 2 years ago

Great article, I enjoyed it very much it covered both sides nicely. I agree with Willis ifwe allow them to open this up for change we will never know where they are going tostop.

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M. Merriwether • 2 years ago

As a mother of two children, and as a studying doctor of psychiatry, I have tocommend both sides for looking into an obvious solution. The Newton shooting was atragedy and my heart goes out to all those who have suffered and will continue tosuffer from such a tragedy. However, I believe their is not one solution, simply andendless list of suggested reforms. We must ask ourselves, how did our Constitutionprotect us in the past, and why do we assume it endangers us now? The Constitutionhas remained unchanged, which indicates that "we the people" have. This wouldsuggest that people reform be put into action.

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12/4/2014 The A-List on Americanism: Gun reform or people reform? | Washington Times Communities

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• Reply •

suggest that people reform be put into action. 4△ ▽

• Reply •

Tammy Boesch -Zebi • 2 years ago

WOW-

Mr. Valdes, first I would like to start by saying this is a great article as Danny said andwithout being bias as Amy said. I am filled up, full of emotion and rage as I read thispeice. As Mr. Hutchinson has stated..“School safety is a complex issue with nosimple, single solution, but I bWOW- Mr.elieve trained, qualified armed security is onekey component among many,”

As a mother of a 6 year old little girl who was attending kindergarden at the time of theNewtown shooting, I am outraged at the fact that there was not an ARMED policeofficer or some security ALONG with a metal detector at each and every single schoolacross America. If anything else, atleast provide that securtiy in daycares andgrammer school. My daughter never went back to school since that horrific day. I havedecided to homeschool her until there IS an armed gard or some sort of betterprotection.

I am sorry for getting a little off of the subject...YES. Yes to people reform. I meanreally, like drugs, do they really think it will not end up in the wrong hands. They willfind a way. What our world has come to, the last thing we have left to hold onto in ourown protection. My father resides in South Carolina, while visting on vacation, wewere sickened to see a sign pop up one day at a mall saying "gun free zone." Really,and who was there to stop us? Point being, if some kid did have a gun and decided tokill, who was there to protect us?

Congrats on a wonderful article. I can go on for hours but the bottom line is, if we letObama take one of our rights away, when or where will this end and what will becomeof America.

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• Reply •

Trish Ramado • 2 years ago

I must say that I have to agree with Willis. If we allow them to pick out of the Bill ofRights, who's to say they wont take all our rights away. Guns don't kill people, peoplekill people. The main focus is our kids safety. Stop capitalizing on war, and increasesecurity in schools. Today they walk in with guns, take away the right to own a firearm,and tomorrow they walk in with knives and still manage to terrorize an entireschool.Great article Rich Valdes!

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• Reply •

Raquelreyes • 2 years ago

This is a really article. It gives us awareness on this important issue of gun control.Something needs to be done and all start with us. We can't be close minded. Timechanges and laws need to be reformed to reflect those changes. Great article Mr.Valdez!!

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• Reply •

Jay Naru • 2 years ago

When voting time comes people will remember. 3△ ▽

• Reply •

!* • 2 years ago> Jay Naru

No they won't. They re-elected Obama.

They never remember. 4△ ▽

• Reply •

ky will • 2 years ago

Great read and interesting perspective. We have to dig deep and fix the deep ills inour society. More unity more love.

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12/4/2014 The A-List on Americanism: Gun reform or people reform? | Washington Times Communities

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• Reply •

Lawrence D. Wood • 2 years ago

see more

Good piece.

People control.

What happened at Sandy Hook was tragic, but after 10 years of war with an enemythat targets kids and $685.86 million in DHS homeland security grants for hardeninginfrastructure that included schools, Sandy Hook Elementary had just received itssingle point of entry system with remote door lock and security camera in 2011. Whatit did not receive was shatterproof glass. Adam Lanza was able to enter the school bybreaking the glass at the door. The office had refused him entry. Who made thedecision to delay hardening Sandy Hook and who made the decision to delay theinstallation of shatterproof glass?

The NEA and the AFT both have no firearms including those carried by cops inschools.Where the real problem is, is in the black and latino neighborhoods in the big citieswhere there is a strong gang presence and drug trafficking. The drugs are the fuel forthe fire.

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• Reply •

Ryan Nasrey • 2 years ago> Lawrence D. Wood

Last Paragraph Nailed It. 4△ ▽

• Reply •

Amy Schaeffer-Priddy • 2 years ago

Rich,First, I'd like to say that this article fairly covers the opinion of both sides without bias,and in a clear, concise way. Second, in response, I feel that attempting to take awaypeople's rights to defend themselves will only exacerbate the problem. As Willis says,"If you take out or change one law, then why wouldn't they take all your rights awayfrom you?" With that being said, this is a valid fear that law abiding citizens have, andthat criminals hope occurs. The criminals don't follow the law to begin with, so if allour rights are taken away, especially the right to defend ourselves, then we've onlymade things easier for the criminals. They'll no longer fear retaliation from their victimsand the repercussions from their actions within the law will have stayed the same.These criminals will find a way to acquire guns regardless of the law and we will be leftdefenseless. People reform, in my opinion, is what this country needs, but at thispoint, what rights will be infringed upon to make that happen?

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• Reply •

Murdakkh • 2 years ago

This was a great article Rich. As stated many times before both sides of the argumentwere met and explained very clearly. will def pass this on

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• Reply •

Lora Warnick • 2 years ago

Great article, Rich!!! 3△ ▽

Ryan Nasrey • 2 years ago

I agree with Danny. Great article. Here's my two cents:

I am a staunch 2A supporter. I believe the second amendment is as relevant today asever. These shootings are because the media make these deranged individuals out to begods. The next potential shooter wants to be even more infamous than the last, andthe body counts tend to escalate. Stop glorifying these evil bastards. Do you noticethat these shootings occur where, as Tom Schmidt posted, aren't at places that

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• Reply •

there's the potential to be fired back at?? These shooters are spineless, scared,sissies that want glory from the grave. They choose unarmed innocents who have zerochance to return fire or defend themselves. Here's another way to look at the debate to disarm citizens: Say I made you a plate ofyour very favorite cookies. You are soooo excited to eat one, right? Then I tell you thatin this huge plate of cookies there's one cookie that's poisoned. How many would youeat?? NONE. The same with armed citizens and these killers; if they know there's apotential to receive return fire, would they shoot up that place? Nope. They head to'gun free zones'.I believe we have lost respect for other human beings. I feel that is the single biggestreason for the downward spiral in today's youth. Kids have lost respect. Respect foreach other, respect for parents, elders, teachers, etc... the list goes on. It saddens me.Yet at the same token, things won't change overnight so I have the God-given right toprotect my family, myself, and all those that I love. I consider myself a "sheepdog" Iprotect my flock from wolves. Do not take away my families right to defendthemselves...This is an issue of "people reform".

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• Reply •

Tom Schmidt • 2 years ago

Rich,

The shooter in Connecticut was taken often by his mother to the shooting range tolearn target practice. I wonder why he didn't decide to go on a shooting rampage atthe pistol range?

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• Reply •

Ryan Nasrey • 2 years ago> Tom Schmidt

'Gun Free' zones are exactly that. That's why.... 4△ ▽

• Reply •

Wilkins Noriega • 2 years ago

Rich Valdes. doing good things and more to come .. very proud of our #Latinos atwork.

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• Reply •

Danny Rodriguez • 2 years ago

I would like to start by saying that this was a great article that looks at both sides ofthe gun control issue. As someone who believes in our right to bear arms but it is alsosympathetic to all the victims in where a gun was involved, I find myself wanting notthe law bidding citizen to be punished but the law breaker to be punished harsher. Iagree with Bruce Willis and his view on the Bill of Rights. It is our right as humans toprotect ourselves against someone who wants to hurt or take away what is ours.Taking guns away from the citizens who have followed the law and followed theproper steps will not deter the criminal from obtaining weapons. It is sad state that ourcountry has come to where our own citizens are willing to kill innocent lives includingthat of children but for that reason I believe I should have all the right to protect mychildren against those wishing to cause them harm. Criminals will remain criminalsregardless whether in which ever direction you go.

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• Reply •

Spook • 2 years ago> Danny Rodriguez

amen! 4△ ▽

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