Monday, Sept. 16, 2013–A tired, VERY frustrated same-ol-same-ol ADDENDUM, to yesterday's post. Today's Washington, DC, ship-yard shooting suspect had a Texas concealed weapon permit. WHAT WILL IT TAKE, AMERICA?!
Rising from the sad, sad, reality of the smouldering ashes and stench of
precious human lives senselessly lost in the tragedy of Sandy Hook, it
seemed that maybe reason had a chance for rebirth in America's
contentious gun debate. Hope, for me, swung high with some news reports,
such as the actions of congressional voices of reason (imagine that
from this session and the last?!) plus, the proclamations and actions of
some major city mayors. Said hope would then nose dive with news of our own mayor's refusal from to rescind the 2015 NRA convention invitation here in Nashville and
repeated reports of the NRA's fierce, protectionist rallying cry
increasing to deafening decibels. Reason! Hope! Irrational insistence on
rights taken too far. Hopes dashed. Back and forth. Two steps forward,
three steps….And then, this week. Incomprehensible. Amid the torrent
of damaging floods within the Rocky Mountain state, Colorado
voters recalled the seats of two state legislators over the
politicians' support of new limits on ammunition magazine and expanded
background checks.
As with any cause, the passionate keep
on. What would have happened if members of the 1960s civil rights
movement had of surrendered the cause for justice? And so, those
passionate about saner gun laws continue to wage truth. And
part of that campaign is happening here in Nashville with passionate,
tireless leaders, one of them whom I know well and admire greatly–once
a teacher herself–my daughter's special education teacher.
Tuesday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00) as a benefit ($10 suggested donation,) Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will show "Living for 32" at the Belcourt. (The Facebook invitation embedded in the latter hyperlink.) "Living for 32" is a
documentary film about Colin Goddard, a college student who was shot 4
times during the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre– and survived. After
recovering and finishing his degree, Colin volunteered
for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Wearing a hidden camera
and going undercover into gun shows all across America, he proved how
easy it is for anyone to buy a gun, with no identification and no
background check– just a wad of cash.
Goddard will join these local experts for questions and discussion after the film:
•Talia Simmons, Nashville mother whose son was murdered in 2012
•Michael Knight, Public Information Officer and former Special Agent
for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
•Dr. Raeanna Adams, Trauma Surgeon, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
•Philip Wehby, Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and Deputy Criminal Chief of Firearm
