Lay down rhetoric, seek real change

When someone persuades me that I’m wrong, I change my mind. What do you do, sir? — Variously attributed.

As an honest answer, I’ve been persuaded and have changed my mind on something.

Readers of this column know that I own more than a few firearms. They also know that I’ve often written, positively, regarding responsible firearm use and ownership, and will continue to do so in the future.

However, I’m also the grandfather of a 7-year-old angel named Lori and, before she moved to Texas, I was a volunteer in her second-grade classroom. Because of that, and since the shootings in Newtown, there hasn’t been a waking hour wherein I haven’t thought, “There, but for the grace of God…”

I’ve been thinking about other things too. More so since hearing the speech given by Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the NRA.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

I’d waited for that speech — hoping it would include an offer to throw the weight, resources, and expertise of the NRA into an all-out effort to find solutions to the mass killings that’ve occurred in this nation.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Disappointed that there wasn’t some acknowledgment that the right to “Keep and Bear Arms” must be balanced by a child’s right to live. Disappointed at the tone. Disappointed at the narrowness of the proposed plan. As one proposal in an “all fronts” effort to end these tragedies, certainly worthwhile, but as the sole solution? Hardly.

There isn’t a “one idea will fix everything” solution to what we’re facing and anything we do will, likely, not have provable effects in the short term. Society cooked this elephant and it’ll have to be eaten one bite at a time. Still, that’s not an excuse for us to avoid considering as many roadblocks to carnage as can be found to put in the paths of the killers amongst us.

If we want to consider possible steps, here’s one. We could stop caring about how a firearm looks. Looks are cosmetic. Where we need to focus is on “what” and, more importantly, “how many” come out of the muzzle. Simply put, we need to decrease the volume of fire.

In the area of military look-alike rifles, limiting the capacity of existing magazines or even banning “large capacity” magazines won’t be effective as long as electrical tape exists. Limit any magazine to “X” (5, 10, 15, etc.) rounds and anyone can tape three together and we’re back to square one in less time than it takes to read this sentence.

Think, instead, of requiring civilian versions of such rifles to be designed with fixed, non-detachable magazines holding fewer rounds (I’m now for low, single digits) that have to be hand-loaded through the ejection port. This would slow things down by an order of magnitude.

Further, every other idea must be on the table and given equal consideration. Better guidelines for identifying and getting the mentally disturbed into (funded) treatment. Denial of sales to those with serious and ongoing mental problems. Swift and harsh punishment for crimes involving the use of firearms. Legal accountability for incidents involving firearms not adequately secured. Ensuring that background checks occur with every purchase — no matter where made.

Consider a direct, federal tax credit equal to the current retail price of the firearm for anyone wishing to turn one in. Consider safety education in schools and required training when a firearm is purchased. Consider where media violence, games, movies, and a declining respect for authority and personal accountability have led us.

Neither side will get everything (See: Compromise, n.) they wish. The hard-over, anti-gun faction will shout that anything short of banning everything including (dull) butter knives isn’t enough and the pro-gun hardliners will swear that Dillon M134D Gatling Guns (chambered in 7.62mm Nato and capable of 3,000 rounds per minute) should be available to everyone — “just in case.”

I’ve changed my mind about round capacity in these firearms because I believe that it’s one, small “roadblock to carnage” that’s needed. Too, I keep imagining those kids facing a literal fusillade of bullets in their last moments and, in my own worst moments, I can put my granddaughter’s face into that picture.

And, if that image wouldn’t change a person’s mind, I’m not sure what would.

Finally, if such thinking makes someone the face of the “enemy” — to either side — then things are nowhere near as bad as we think.

They are, in fact, far worse. And headed downhill from there.

Larry Simoneaux lives in Edmonds. Send comments to: larrysim@comcast.net

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, April 3

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Senator Maria Cantwell walk through the Lynnwood Center Station to board the 12:30 pm train during the Lynnwood 1 Line extension opening celebrations on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Transit board, new CEO have much to deliver

Sound Transit’s board hired one of its own as chief. The stakes for success are high for all involved.

Comment: Voters trumped cash in Wisconsin; keep it that way

Elon Musk’s $20 million to back a candidate failed. Strengthen laws to prevent campaigning by bribery.

Comment: Drug companies need to speak up about RFK Jr.’s FDA

With recent moves, companies are waking up to the fact that things are bad and could get worse.

Journalism support bill: Make tech companies pay share

My wife worked for The Herald for over 20 years. At that… Continue reading

Donate to food banks and lobby Congress to protect SNAP

With increasing numbers of hungry people, food banks are struggling to meet… Continue reading

Elon Musk’s DOGE work, contracts in conflict

In February Elon Musk’s company, Space-X, was awarded a contract with a… Continue reading

Everett mayor Cassie Franklin delivers her State of the City address on Friday, March 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Editorial: The state of Everett amid the state of play

In her state of the city speech, Mayor Cassie Franklin makes the case for optimism amid dark clouds.

Genna Martin / The Herald
Piles of wires, motherboards and other electronic parts fill boxes at E-Waste Recycling Center, Thursday. 
Photo taken 1204014
Editorial: Right to repair win for consumers, shops, climate

Legislation now in the Senate would make it easier and cheaper to fix smartphones and other devices.

The WA Cares law is designed to give individuals access to a lifetime benefit amount that, should they need it, they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports. (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services)
Editorial: Changes to WA Cares will honor voters’ confidence

State lawmakers are considering changes to improve the benefit’s access and long-term stability.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, April 2

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Welch: Latest state tax proposals threaten jobs and economy

Using fear of budget cuts, state lawmakers are taking the easy route with damaging tax increases.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.