It’s no surprise that each of these expressions, which contain weapon imagery, combine to describe gun safety in America – particularly in our nation’s schools. 

OUTGUNNED

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has had a stranglehold on our political leaders with large campaign contributions in cash and in the form of local and national ads (arguably buying their vote) to stop gun safety legislation. According to Fortune Magazine, the NRA spent almost $12 million to support Donald Trump in 2016, believing his views were most in line with their own. On the other hand, they spent almost $20 million to defeat Hillary Clinton. These ads don’t necessarily reflect the views of their membership.  Poll after poll has shown that NRA gun-owning members support sensible gun safety legislation such as expanded background checks and bans on assault weapons, but the NRA is not about serving its membership. Their enrollment numbers are but a fig leaf for their true constituents – sales and profit-driven gun manufacturers. The NRA is so strong that even Democrats, who receive no real NRA donations, bowed to their pressure in 2005 when they voted to shield firearms manufacturers from being sued. They also enjoy support from a president and Congress that repealed an Obama-era regulation blocking the mentally ill from buying guns.  
There aren’t reasonable arguments against limiting guns. There are no slippery slopes. There aren’t black helicopters hovering and waiting to confiscate your guns. DREAMers and the undocumented aren’t going to storm your home like zombies to rape and kill you unless you have an AR-15 tucked under your pillow. 

IN THE CROSSHAIRS

As we mourn the loss of life and comfort the survivors and families of this horrific St. Valentine’s Day massacre, we mark the 18th mass shooting in an American school since January 1, 2018. That averages out to a school mass shooting every 60 hours. It can’t happen in your neighborhood? Parkland, where the tragedy took place, was named Florida's safest city last year, according to an analysis by the Washington-based National Council for Home Safety and Security. So, the only thing to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun? This school had an armed deputy who couldn’t stop the shooter from carrying out his plan or sneaking away to grab a bite to eat at a Subway’s and McDonald’s before being arrested. American students are sitting ducks, helpless as students of my generation who were told to hide under their desks and pray the rosary in the event of a nuclear attack. 

UNDER THE GUN

Solving this isn’t complicated. First, limit gun ownership to law abiding, mentally fit adults over 21. Presently, if you’re on a no-fly list, a convicted felon or fugitive, or mentally disabled, you can still buy a gun. The Parkland killer was too young to buy a drink at a bar, but he could legally purchase an arsenal. It would have been harder for him to buy Claritin-D at his local CVS than to pick up an AR-15. 
Second, ban certain kinds of weapons. During the Roaring 20’s, America regulated  "tommy guns” which are better known as machine guns. These were the weapon of choice for American terrorists like mobster Al Capone. People shouldn’t have the right to bear all kinds of arms. Imagine people driving tanks and wielding rocket launchers. Frankly, if you want those weapons, join the army. They’ll be happy to accommodate you. 
So, how do we do this? First, vote in candidates, regardless of party, who will take this issue seriously. Second, tone down the hate speech and rhetoric. Stop empowering the worst instincts of society that divide people. It spreads fear and sells guns and MAGA hats but doesn’t advance civilized discourse. Then, cultivate unlikely allies. Until and unless law enforcement supports new gun laws, they will not happen. Thankfully, they are beginning to speak up. As more people stock up on sophisticated high-powered assault weapons, the cop on the beat is becoming seriously outgunned. Many feel they have been forced to bring a knife to a gun fight and can’t match the firepower on the street. 
The unlikely alliance between law enforcement and gun safety advocates could finally free students from being held hostage by a raging gun culture. Until then, forget the empty “thoughts and prayers” bromide. Please, don’t say, “it’s not the appropriate time to talk about this.” Spare us the “task force” to start a “national conversation” or a “listening tour,” before we can act. It’s long past the time to work together to mitigate this rolling disaster. •