In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, we hear of divine intervention; that God’s mercy saved him from a deadly bullet that whizzed by within less than an inch of his head.
Our school children haven’t been so lucky. They don’t have the luxury of a secret service detail to allay some of their doubts and fears, and to mitigate (“neutralize”) any threats of violence. Yes, mass shootings have occurred in other places as well – churches, supermarkets, workplaces, nightclubs, you name it – but the intent here is to place the focus on the most vulnerable, our school children.
Maybe now that an attempted assassination of a top Republican (GOP) presidential candidate in this generation (the last being President Reagan in 1981) will wake the party up to stop courting and coddling the National Rifle Association (NRA). The shooter, Thomas Crooks, employed what’s become the weapon of choice, an AR-15 rifle. A report released July 5, 2024 shows overall that 53% of Americans strongly support banning assault weapons, with 73% somewhat in support. A January 2023 survey of registered voters who strongly support stricter gun laws revealed that Democrats lead the charge at 73% while Republicans lag at 17%. Will the GOP numbers climb as Trump promises a message of unity at the Republican National Convention (RNC) following his ordeal, or will he continue his lies and rants of hatred and vengeance?
Getting back to our most vulnerable, has anything changed since the mass shootings at Columbine in 1999, and Sandy Hook in 2012? Immediately after such horrific and tragic incidents, politicians lock arms singing “Kum Ba Yah” and offer “thoughts and prayers,” then, as time goes on, go back to business as usual until the next tragedy. Such hypocrisy! A verse in the Book of Job 11:12 [NIV] says: “But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.” Is there any hope for the foolish? The Book of Jeremiah 49:7 asks “Is wisdom no more in Teman?” Teman was a district in Edom famous for its wisdom. America asks, is there no more wisdom in the District of Columbia (D.C.)?
In 1994 when (then) Senator Joe Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Congress passed the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act — commonly called the assault weapons ban. A “sunset provision” was applied whereby the ban would expire after 10 years unless renewed by a vote of Congress. Unfortunately, it was not renewed.
In 2022, President Biden signed into law a gun safety bill called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. He said, “While this bill doesn’t do everything I want, it does include actions I’ve long called for that are going to save lives…” The bill did not include the assault weapons ban.
Much has been said about certain media, MAGA loyalists, and conspiratorialists who continue to fuel the flames of hatred and violence. If Trump truly has been enlightened by his close encounter with death, perhaps it will show in his speech and actions in the days to come. The Bible teaches that we all fall short, and although we don’t deserve it, God freely gives and showers us with His grace and mercy. Suffer the little children; we must go all out to make sure they feel safe and secure. God is concerned about justice and especially hates violence done to children either directly or indirectly (legislatively). He will not let evil go unpunished.
Larry Buford is a contributing writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” and “Book To The Future” (Amazon). Email: [email protected]
