HARAMBE, GUN CONTROL, & COMMON SENSE

In Cincinnati a 3-year old falls into a moat which is in the Zoo's Gorilla World Habitat.

The Gorilla, Harambe a rare, silver-backed wild animal, endeared  by people around the world hides, holds and runs with the child through the moat.  Crowds gather, watching the scene below, become unruly. Shouts are heard.  Zoo officials are called as well as police officers and trainers.

Harambe becomes confused and is shot. The child is unharmed.

Zoo officials explain their action to police, other regulatory agencies, to the press and to Animal Rights protestors who have gathered outside the Zoo.

Are we forgetting our common sense ability to understand the difference between a captured wild animal, shipped from its natural habitat, with animals abused by owners?

Or do we understand what happens to people and wild animals when both encounter each other in unexpected circumstances?

In 1934 the Federal Firearms Act was passed by Congress to enable police in local, county and state communities to identify and register all machine guns, short barreled rifles and other highly dangerous guns and weapons as well as having background checks made by anyone purchasing a gun.

The Act is still in force though circumvented by elected elected officials who continue to dance
to the tune of the powerful NRA.

Yet it is estimated there are 300 million firearms in this
country for which we have no ability to trace ownership, or point of purchase.

Do we not understand that the best  way to control the number of lethal weapons
in this country is to enforce the 1934 Federal Firearms Act?

Or do we really think that the best line of  defense
for the safety of people, institutions and public spaces is  in vigilante type actions?

When advocacy or self interest overtake common sense we weaken our ability to think
and to maintain a fair, equitable society, and we often vote for the wrong people.

SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!