Echo from Colorado ~ Brave March For Our Lives facing challenges

Colorado's opinion published in the Reporter Herald ~ from Ann Harroun, in Loveland Colorado

Congratulations to student marchers. March For Our Lives

Their lives just changed. 

From now on, the students who are fighting against gun violence,  will be involved citizens and voters.

My life changed in 1951, when my classmates and I went on strike over a despotic mayor, a run-down school, and teachers' salaries. Our issues pale in comparison to today's, but we unseated the mayor. Yay! We're still politically attuned, and some of us went on to serve in political office.

Things to know:

The Second Amendment was adopted when the Revolutionary War was over and the army was disbanded. (Our founders were suspicious of standing armies.) That left only a few state militias to protect our people. Hence, "A well-regulated militia. ..."

Second Amendment zealots respond with frenzied responses to every fact that challenges their claims to unlimited access to guns and weapons of mass destruction that kill people.

Follow the money. [Business Insider, "How The Gun Industry Funnels Tens of Millions of Dollars To The NRA," Jan. 16, 2013, et al.] Yet, predictably, usually, after a mass shooting, the NRA shouts, "They're coming for your guns!" 

Supporters rush out to buy more guns and ammo, industry profits rise, they kick back money to the NRA, the NRA buys more legislators. They in turn gerrymander their districts to ensure their re-election, and in all of this the voice of the public is lost. This cycle will not be overturned easily, even though most Americans may agree with the students. 

Unfortunately, March For Our Lives must prepare for a long struggle.

When you estimate votes, know that you will run up against one-issue voters. They will agree with you regarding the best candidates for gun safety, but if your candidates don't also support their one-issue (usually abortion, pro or con) they will vote against.

It is said that facts do not win elections; emotions do. 

Probably true, but decisions based solely on emotion do not hold up over time. So, learn the facts first; then build an emotional case around them.

Don't turn your backs on classmates who disagree with you. They have valid points, too, that may improve your eventual positions.

Ann Harroun, Loveland Colorado

MaineWriter ~ Thank you March For Our Lives, leaders and supporters.  Please continue your bravery in the face of the evil money, and terrorist tactics funded by the National Rifle Association. The only purpose of the NRA campaign to discredit March For Our Lives is to undermine the humanitarian efforts to protect human beings from the morbidity and mortality caused by gun violence. All gun violence is preventable.