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The phrase "thoughts and prayers" has become an all too familiar response to the tragic events of mass shootings and school shootings in the United States. The repeated use of this phrase is dismissive, insensitive, and fails to protect our children from gun violence.
The newly elected congressional House speaker said “It’s not a gun problem. It’s a heart problem.” In other words, he thinks gun violence is the spiritual consequence of not being “right with god.” He wants more people to go to church
So he and the other Republicans will continue to block expanded access to mental health care. They will continue to deflect and blame anything but the actual problem, which is greed, guns, and NRA lobbying money, aka “legal bribery.”
Every single other country has mental illnesses and so-called “heart problems,” yet they those people aren’t constantly mass killing others every single day. We’re the only country with more guns than people, and we have an entire political party peddles useless “thoughts and prayers” instead of policy and change.
"Thoughts and prayers" have become empty rhetoric in the wake of these horrific events. They do nothing to prevent further tragedies. The call for gun control is a plea for the lives of our children. School shootings continue to occur with alarming frequency, and the cycle remains consistent. A shooting takes place, leading to a flurry of "thoughts and prayers" from Republican leaders and Republican voters on social media. This cycle is repetitive and offers no solutions whatsoever to address gun violence, Republicans seek to make it seem as though these shootings are normal, inevitable, and unchangeable.
In an attempt to address school shootings, many educational institutions have implemented security measures such as metal detectors, clear backpacks, and increased police presence. While these efforts may provide a semblance of safety, it’s merely surface-deep; they are clearly inadequate as school shootings continue to occur.
Some private school even let their teachers be armed, and even that isn’t enough. Take the Covenant School shooting that happened in Nashville, Tennessee in the spring of 2023. The Covenant School is a private Christian school, and the teachers were armed. Not only did it not prevent a school shooting, but none of the teachers opened fire. Understandably, because they don’t stand a chance against an automatic weapon.
The primary reason school shootings persist is Republicans make sure there is easy access to firearms. Anyone who wants a gun can get a gun, especially in red states, many of which require no background checks nor permits for either open carry or concealed carry. Common-sense gun control laws are essential for public safety.
And in red states, many (if not most) people on the left own firearms themselves. We just don’t show them off as if they’re toys and props for social media pictures. We aren’t calling to have guns banned. We’re calling for common-sense gun control laws. Common-sense gun control laws address the “heart problem” the House speaker tries to blame.
One of the most fundamental common-sense gun laws is universal background checks. Such checks are crucial in ensuring that firearms do not fall into the hands of individuals with a “heart problem” as the House speaker claims, a history of violence, or mental illness.
Restricting access to high-capacity magazines and assault weapons is another vital step. Limiting their availability to just the military can significantly reduce the potential for mass casualties in school shootings. Because people with a “heart problem” purchase high capacity magazines in order to kill as many children as possible.
Red flag laws, which allow for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals and are deemed a danger to themselves or others, provide a measured approach to intervening in cases where warning signs are evident.
Promoting safe storage laws can also make a significant difference. Requiring gun owners to store their firearms securely can reduce the likelihood of accidents and unauthorized access to firearms by children and anyone else with a “heart problem.”
Countries with stricter gun control laws tend to experience fewer incidents of gun violence, including school shootings. The United States has one of the highest rates of gun ownership and gun-related deaths in the world, highlighting the need for comprehensive reform.
lIt is a call for responsible gun ownership and the protection of our children from the horrors of school shootings. The success of common-sense gun laws in other countries demonstrates that there are effective measures to reduce gun violence.
It really all boils down to greed. Republicans deflect gun violence as a “heart problem” and a mental-health issue. This is why we need common-sense gun laws, to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and those with a “heart problem.” But Republicans don’t actually care about the mentally ill or “heart problems.” They make money from the NRA by writing policies that protect guns at all costs. Just look at how many Republican politicians accept the NRA’s money to the tune of millions and millions of dollars.
The path forward must include comprehensive gun reform, addressing mental health concerns, and tackling the societal issues that contribute to violence. The "thoughts and prayers" mantra has outlived its utility in the face of an epidemic. It's time to prioritize the lives of our children over lobbyists.