Time to Stop the Carnage

It's been awhile since I've written about gun violence.

Not because I've stopped caring.

Not because the problem has gone away.

No, I've stopped writing about it because the sheer volume of mass murders and school shootings has made it difficult to keep up with the carnage.

Before we even have time to research and compose a thoughtful blog post about a horrific massacre, we're interrupted by the news of yet another.

Yesterday's slaughter in Louisville was the 145th mass shooting in America so far this year. And it's only April. Last year there were 647.

Many of us remember the impact of the massacre at Columbine. Next Thursday, April 20, will mark the 24th anniversary of the Columbine horror. Back then, school shootings were very rare.

Not any more.

There have been 377 school shootings since then, according to the Washington Post. Last year there were 46.

Every day millions of American parents send their kids off to school, hoping that they'll make it through the day safely.

Every day millions of Americans wonder, whose kids will be next to be torn apart by an AR-15.

Every day millions of American children go to school, where they'll practice active shooter drills and wonder if the unthinkable will happen at their school.

The Post estimates that more than 349,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine.

Yet the same "pro life" Republicans who are so interested in preventing abortions will do nothing to prevent the slaughter of innocent school children.

The same conservatives who want to protect children from banned books, provocative art, transgender athletes and drag shows have no interest in protecting children from being massacred by an AR-15.

It's almost inconceivable that we can't pass meaningful legislation to limit gun violence in the U.S.

No other country has this problem, because no other country permits weapons of war to be owned and carried by its citizens, usually without permits or background checks. No other country has gutless legislators in the pocket of gun lobbies and manufacturers.

It's unfathomable that gun nuts believe their "freedom" is being compromised if they can't own an assault weapon.

How about the freedom of children to attend school without getting blown to smithereens? How about the freedom of parents to send their kids off to school without worrying whether they'll come home alive?

It's pathetic. It's inhumane. It's a national disgrace.

And it's long past time to do something about it.

Let's make gun violence the most pressing national issue. Let's make every candidate take a stand. And let's vote out the cowards who won't do anything.