Notable Deaths - 2,268 of them since December 14, 2012

Unfortunately, Democrats caved on the assault weapon ban. 
(see comment from a North Carolina reader at the end of blog)

In spite of gun 2,268 deaths since the Sandy Hook tragedy, on December 14, 2012, the Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Reid, have removed the assault weapon ban language from legislation, proposed for debate in April.  The decision to drop this provision indicates the Republicans would have defeated the bill with an assault weapons ban included.

Reid guessed that the measure, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., had support from fewer than 40 senators, far less than the 60 votes needed for passage

The assault weapons ban will still get a vote. It will be voted on as a standalone measure as an amendment to the base gun control bill. But stripping it off the base bill leaves it vulnerable and decreases the chance of it passing, as it will not receive the same support that it could have if it was bundled with the other less controversial measures.

Although 2,268 people have been subsequently killed by gun violence since December 14, 2012, we can't let this growing number fog our memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza, 20, fatally shot twenty children and six adult staff members in a preventable mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the village of Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut Before driving to the school, Lanza had shot and killed his mother Nancy at their Newtown home. As first responders arrived at the besieged Sandy Hook School, Lanza committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

This murderous rampage caused spontaneous national outpourings of grief and calls for gun control legislation.  Nevertheless, although another 158 children have died in gun violence since December 14th, among the 2, 268 who lost their lives since then, while Democrats caved on an assault weapons ban.

All of the 2,268 gun related deaths and those murdered at Sandy Hook, have been totally preventable deaths.  If this number of people had died of an infectious disease, we'd be screaming at President Obama to provide more money for prevention programs.  Incredulously, the thousands of gun related deaths are totally preventable when guns were removed from the fatal situations;  but, nothing is being done to prevent more of these violent deaths.  Democrats caved while guns, like bacteria, are proliferating in numbers, like germs in a warm bath.  

When Republicans stand against assault weapons regulation, they are obviously not acting on what is right.  Rather, they're reacting to fear of loosing their next re-election due to the influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA) lobbyists.  They fear these paid lobbyists more than they fear for the safety of their constituents.  

Republicans should do what's right and what the nation's police chiefs, our military generals and city mayors have supported.  These respected individuals are vetted, elected, educated and support an assault weapons ban.  Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for caving to the National Rifle Association.  On the other hand, Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for caving on the assault weapons language in the Senate's proposed gun regulations.  

Our entire Congress should do what's right and vote to support an assault weapons ban to protect Americans and our children from the preventable deaths caused by gun violence.

Gail from North Carolina writes:  Julie, I'm glad to see the focus of your blog today. I was so disappointed this was left off the table. I understand the Democrats' reasoning (sort of), but am disappointed they "caved" once again. It seems like such a no-brainer to me to vote in favor of placing a ban on assault weapons. I'm sure the NRA is smiling today.  Gail