As Congress Debates, More Gun Buyers Seek ‘Safety’ On Their Own

Clarence Page, Tribune Content Agency on Jun 1, 2022

Unfortunately, along with a rise in gun ownership, experts expect a measurable increase in suicides as well as gun-related accidents, both of which tend to rise statistically after guns have been brought into the house.

Is there any hope left? As he joined mourners in Texas, President Joe Biden implored lawmakers to “turn this pain into action.”

“Why do we keep letting this happen? Where in God’s name is our backbone to have the courage to deal with and stand up to the lobbies?” he said.

We’ve heard those sentiments before. After failing to act on gun safety measures for more than a decade, our deeply divided Congress is once again trying to build some bridges on the issue and show the public they’re something better than comatose.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, in whose district the Sandy Hook school massacre occurred, is heading one effort to see if he can find bipartisan compromise on something.

Most promising are such popular ideas as expanding background checks before someone can legally purchase a firearm and a national “red flag” law to prevent those who pose a threat to themselves or others from making such a purchase.

Recent polls have shown the most support, even among National Rifle Association members, for expanding background checks. Yet, despite years of talk, action is lacking.

Critics object to “red flag” laws as a possible infringement on due process by allowing a judge to make an initial decision, even if temporary, without hearing from the accused or that person having been convicted of a crime or adjudged mentally ill.

But those bumps in the road can be worked out by reasonable lawmakers, if reason has not died in Congress by now. Both sides should remember the heroism of Amerie Jo. She knew her duty and tried to do it. Now Congress needs to do theirs.

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(E-mail Clarence Page at cpage@chicagotribune.com.)