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Tag Archives: guns

The gun floodgates open

27 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by willykay in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

3D Printing, Austen Petersen, gun regulation, gun violence, guns

It’s hard to know how many guns are floating around  in the United States. Gun ownership is  not well-regulated so exact numbers are hard to come by. Various studies, however, put the number of guns at somewhere between 265 million – 300+ million.

There’s a  little more than 320 million people in the U.S.

That’s a lot of guns. Lots of guns produce consequences.

The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population, but 31% of global mass shooters. Murder by gun runs 25.2% higher in the U.S. than in comparable countries.

As an exercise, try reading  your city’s daily paper tomorrow and count the number of deaths by shooting that are described there. Better yet, do it for a week or a  month.

And it might just get worse:

Americans will soon be able to make 3D-printed guns from their homes, widening the door to do-it-yourself versions of firearms.

The choices will include the AR-15, the gun of choice in American mass shootings. All 3D-printed guns will be untraceable, and since you can make them yourself, no background check is required.

A settlement earlier this year between the State Department and Texas-based Defense Distributed will let the nonprofit release blueprints for guns online starting Aug. 1, a development hailed by the group as the death of gun control in the United States.

Gun-loving Missouri crack-pots are already trying to get in on the act:

Nearly a year after  he was temporarily booted by Facebook for raffling off an AR-15 rifle, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate is giving away a machine capable of printing parts for a similar firearm.

Austin Petersen, who ran for president as a Libertarian in 2016, issued on Tuesday a press release and a letter to potential donors announcing the giveaway, saying that Republicans had not done enough to protect gun rights.

[…]

Petersen plans to give away the Ghost Gunner 2, which costs about $1,200. The machine is capable of milling parts for a firearm.

Brian Krassenstein of 3-DPrint.com observes that at this point guns manufactured in this manner are not especially durable, but that the technology does exist to print more durable guns and it is advancing regularly.

The floodgates will soon be wide open. Unless something is done, anyone will be able to print an undetectable gun and take it anywhere. And shoot anyone.

This development won’t be a victory for the good life Americans aspire to. It’s already scary to be exposed in public places in America. There’s lots of anger floating around. Lots of politicians using it to make hay. Resurgent racist thugs glorify force. Things may soon get much worse than we imagined they could.

Congress could push back against the court decision legislatively and Sen. Schumer and a handful of Democratic legislators are making sounds about doing something. But as long as Democrats are in the minority, “sounds” will probably be all that is forthcoming.

One thing for sure; if long-shot Austin Petersen were to make it to Washington, we couldn’t count on him to help us.

Maybe somebody should ask GOP senatorial primary front runner Josh Hawley how he feels about 3D gun printers.

 

Ryan Deitsch – March for Our Lives – Road to Change – Kansas City, Kansas – June 18, 2018

21 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

gun violence, guns, Kansas, Kansas City, March for Our Lives, Ryan Deitsch, voting

Monday evening the March for Our Lives movement hosted a town hall at the Reardon Convention Center on Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, one of fifty or so stops in their Summer voter registration and activation Road to Change bus tour. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, from Chicago, from St. Louis, and from the Kansas City metro area joined the town hall panel.

Before the town hall groups of media had the opportunity to speak with small groups of students, each made up of a student from Florida, a student from Chicago or St. Louis, and a student from the Kansas City metro area.

Ryan Deitsch.

[….]

Question: …certainly gun control is what everybody’s been talking about, but this event specifically seems to be targeted more towards voting and, and registering to vote, and the power of the vote. Why is that so important? Why is that the focus here?

Ryan Deitsch: Because even though the issue of gun violence is a strong issue that we face and it’s an issue that most of us have faced personally it is that you just have to be active in the political process to solve any of these problems, whether it’s gun violence, whether it’s education reform, whether it’s, uh, any economic reforms that you want to make. That you have to actually be active, sharing your voice, share who you want to represent you because right now a lot of these people aren’t being represented. We’re able to do that, we’re able to change the world.

Show Me Progress: So, um, as you go through this process of getting people to vote, and, part of the process is once they’re registered to vote, you have to get them to vote, and they have to sustain the vote. So, as you all work towards this are you thinking of a long term strategy to basically, as people get older to keep continuing to have them, encourage them to vote and register younger people?

Ryan Deitsch: I mean I’ll tell you like after the march we weren’t going away, after the Summer tour we’re not going away. We’re gonna consistently be working all the connections we make during the Summer. We’re gonna solidify by the end, we’re gonna make sure that we have group chats, we’re gonna make sure that we’re emailing them. We don’t want to lose these people. Some of these are now my friends. We, we just want to make sure that everybody in the country stays active and make sure they don’t drop the ball.

Show Me Progress: This is a long term project.

Ryan Deitsch: It’s a very long term project. I don’t know when this will end.

[….]

Previously:

March for Our Lives – Road to Change – Kansas City, Kansas – June 18, 2018

March for Our Lives – Road to Change – Kansas City, Kansas – June 18, 2018

19 Tuesday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Town Hall, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

gun violence, guns, Kansas, Kansas City, March for Our Lives, Road to Change, Voter Registration

Yesterday evening the March for Our Lives movement hosted a town hall at the Reardon Convention Center on Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, one of fifty or so stops in their Summer voter registration and activation Road to Change bus tour. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, from Chicago, from St. Louis, and from the Kansas City metro area joined the town hall panel.

There was a large number of volunteers tasked to help usher the anticipated crowd and to register voters. Media estimates of the attendance ranged from “hundreds” up to 1500. Before the town hall started the partition to an adjacent hall was opened to accommodate the overflow crowd.

Speaking to the media before the town hall:

Kyrah Simon.

Cameron Kasky.

After the town hall panelists introduced themselves the moderators, Alfonso Calderon and Quinn Patel, addressed questions about voting, activism, and gun violence in schools.

“…the problem with gun violence in America is that dangerous people are acquiring guns, so being able to prevent dangerous people from acquiring guns […] is really important…”

Barry Smith and Kyrah Simon.

“…the National Rifle Association, uh, they, for, for so, for so long they, they have been this group that has been very helpful in teaching people proper gun ownership, uh, responsible gun ownership, and just very well how to use a rifle, a handgun […] and for that, that’s amazing. We need that in our society because our laws do not reflect that. And when our laws try to reflect that in recent years the National Rifle Association has gone against that. They have gone against various measures like, uh, safe gun storage laws and various things like, uh, they have gone for conceal carry reciprocity which I know on paper sounds very good. But, when you look into it, around the third paragraph of conceal carry reciprocity they have a provision that says you are allowed to open carry in school zones. Which, last time I checked is not a very safe thing and it’s not a very responsible thing for anybody to be touting a firearm in that sort of situation. [applause]…”

Kyrah Simon, Cameron Kasky, Ryan Deitsch, and Rachel Gonzalez.

Arianna Williams (center).

April Ma, Anthony Lovelace, and Arianna Williams.

Kyrah Simon, Cameron Kasky, and Ryan Deitsch.

Rachel Gonzalez and Taylor Mills.

The moderators then asked for questions addressed to the panel from the audience.

“…With the expansion of universal background checks in private sales we can, which can stop a lot of guns from illegally being purchased, people will say that bad guys will still have a chance to get guns. And the nasty, filthy, depressing rhetoric behind that is that if we can’t stop all illegal gun sales we shouldn’t even try to stop any. That bothers me. [applause] Another is that people, people who talk a lot about illegal gun sales being traced back to the criminals, but criminals don’t manufacture guns. And more and more guns are being legally manufactured and being pumped out. And like our friends from Chicago discussed, they are being legally purchased at bulk and then illegally sold. If we’re not going to stop them at their source, certain, certain, we’re not going to stop certain guns at their source they will continue to be illegally sold. There will be more and more out there in the market. [applause]…”

Cameron Kasky, Ryan Deitsch, and Rachel Gonzalez.

“…We can’t fall into this, this thing of letting it become the norm. This conversation of just saving lives should not be a conversation. So that’s why it’s so important to vote. But not just vote, vote for the right people that will represent you. As I said earlier, if they’re taking millions of dollars, thousands of dollars from people that don’t look like you or come from where you come from, they cannot represent you. So stop letting these things become the norm. Because once e, they become the norm we stop asking questions about it. We stop questioning them like, whoa, is it okay for fifty-seven people enjoying themselves at a concert to be killed or seventeen students in Florida to be killed on Valentines Day or kids in Chicago like Tray’s mother who once played the bass in church at a church to get killed? We cannot let that be the norm. So, again, and I’m sorry we got to endure something like that. As Americans we should be ashamed that we live in a country that’s allowed that to happen. [applause]…”

Taylor Mills.

Alfonso Calderon and Quinn Patel.

Quinn Patel.

The town hall was scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. It ended around 8:30 p.m., with the panelists inviting the audience to come up and continue the conversation.

Moms Demand Action – Warrensburg – June 14, 2018

14 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

guns, missouri, Moms Demand Action, Warrenburg

In Missouri there are now sixteen local chapters for Moms Demand Action Against Gun Violence in America. The Warrensburg group held their monthly meeting this evening, discussing past activities and actions and plans for future ones.

A representative of the state organization described the rapid growth in chapters and the importance and impact of small town chapters across the state.

Really unhinged

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

capitol, Deprtment of Public Safety, Eric Greitens, guns, Jamilah Nasheed, missouri, Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight

Jefferson City. We’d heard the rumors over a day ago. Then we saw this:

Jane Dueker @JaneDueker
Missouri Capitol security concerns raised by @SenatorNasheed to the Department of Public Safety re: @EricGreitens. Add these to suspicious package and arrest of accused pedophile staffer. No everything is not ok in JC.
[….]
3:48 PM – 19 Apr 2018

Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D) sent a letter to the Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety yesterday asking for increased security at the capitol complex. There’s this paragraph in the letter:

“…There are additional unconfirmed rumors circulating the Capitol involving an incident at the Greitens’ Innsbrook home involving troubling behavior, the presence of firearms and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. While these reports are unconfirmed…”

It’s long past time to clean up this mess. The Missouri House of Representatives has the authority and the obligation to do so.

Previously:

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2018)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into… (April 17, 2018)

Really, just go away… (April 17, 2018)

HR 6783: Impeachment (April 18, 2018)

Unhinged (April 19, 2019)

There but for the grace of…

26 Monday Mar 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#resist, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, March for Our Lives, missouri, NRA, protest

“We stand with Parkland”

Saturday in Kansas City. Theis Park.

Previously:

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – in Theis Park on Saturday, March 24, 2018 (March 20, 2018)

Another sign for the times (March 23, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Warrensburg, Missouri – March 24, 2018 (March 24, 2017)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – signs (March 24, 2018)

Are we tired of 2nd Amendment overkill (and I do mean kill) yet? (March 24, 2018)

Until this changes… (March 25, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – more signs (March 25, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – getting there (March 25, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – getting there

25 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

#resist, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, March for Our Lives, missouri, NRA

5,000? 6,000? 7,000? 10,000? A media consensus appears to be around 6,000. Who knows?

There where a lot of people at yesterday’s Kansas City March for Our Lives in Theis Park. With limited or no nearby parking those attending had to find something on the Plaza, at UMKC, or in adjacent neigborhoods and then walk to the park.

And so they did, from all four corners:

“Why are your guns more important than our kids?”

“Marching so my 2 year old won’t need active shooter drills.”

“Bullets are not school supplies.”

“Every vote counts.”

“Thank you, young Americans.”

“Protect people, not guns.”

Previously:

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – in Theis Park on Saturday, March 24, 2018 (March 20, 2018)

Another sign for the times (March 23, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Warrensburg, Missouri – March 24, 2018 (March 24, 2017)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – signs (March 24, 2018)

Are we tired of 2nd Amendment overkill (and I do mean kill) yet? (March 24, 2018)

Until this changes… (March 25, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – more signs (March 25, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – more signs

25 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist, Roy Blunt, US Senate

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

#resist, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, March for Our Lives, missouri, NRA, protest, signs, U.S. Senate

More signs from yesterday’s March for Our lives in Kansas City at Theis Park.

5,000? 7,000? 10,000? There appears to be a media consensus estimate of 6,000. Who could tell? It was a lot of people. At a protest event organized by kids.

A badass mom:

“This mom don’t play, stop the NRA.”

“I’m a teacher, not a soldier.”

“We are killing our future.”

“Vote them out!”

“Vote like our children’s lives depend on it.”

“Thoughts and prayers are not enough.”

Sarcasm:

“I want to die like an American – of diabetes and heart disease – not from guns.”

“Congress: be as brave as your children.”

It’s Congress. It’s controlled by republicans. That’s not going to happen as long as they’re in power.

Medical students:

“No more silence…end gun violence.”

“Harden our gun laws, not our schools.”

Plenty of sarcasm:

“There should be a background check before the NRA is allowed to buy a senator.”

“My school’s dress code has more regulations than guns!”

It’s a matter of priorities. Heaven forbid that a child bleed to death in school while wearing “inappropriate” clothing.

Previously:

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – in Theis Park on Saturday, March 24, 2018 (March 20, 2018)

Another sign for the times (March 23, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Warrensburg, Missouri – March 24, 2018 (March 24, 2017)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – signs (March 24, 2018)

Are we tired of 2nd Amendment overkill (and I do mean kill) yet? (March 24, 2018)

Until this changes… (March 25, 2018)

Until this changes…

25 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Roy Blunt, US Senate

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#resist, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, missouri, NRA, protest, Roy Blunt, sign, U.S. Senate, vote

…nothing will get done.

Yesterday at the March for Our Lives in Kansas City:

“The only thing easier to buy than a gun is a republican senator.”

Register to vote. Get out the vote. Vote in November. If you don’t, you’re the problem.

Previously:

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – in Theis Park on Saturday, March 24, 2018 (March 20, 2018)

Another sign for the times (March 23, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Warrensburg, Missouri – March 24, 2018 (March 24, 2017)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – signs (March 24, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – signs

24 Saturday Mar 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

#resist, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, March for Our Lives, missouri, NRA

Cold. Windy.

5,000? 7,000? 10,000? Who could tell. It was a lot of people. At a protest event organized by kids.

“I walk for my students and fellow techers.”

“I teach recorder. You don’t want me to have a gun at work.”

“Teachers need funds, not guns.”

“A gun shoud not have more rights than a child.”

“I want my students asking ‘How do I solve this equation?’ not ‘Would you take a bullet for me?'”

“Shooting my mouth off so you won’t shoot me.”

“Help end America’s War on America.”

“Don’t pray for an answer, be the answer.”

“Am I next?”

That’s a very good question. The “adults” have failed to provide an answer.

Previously:

March for Our Lives – Kansas City – in Theis Park on Saturday, March 24, 2018 (March 20, 2018)

Another sign for the times (March 23, 2018)

March for Our Lives – Warrensburg, Missouri – March 24, 2018 (March 24, 2017)

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