Kevin Vaught’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eh48PTDH Guns are deeply ingrained in American society and the nation’s political debates. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, and about a third of U.S. adults say they personally own a gun. At the same time, in response to concerns such as rising gun death rates and mass shootings, President Joe Biden has proposed gun policy legislation that would expand on the bipartisan gun safety bill Congress passed last year. Here are some key findings about Americans’ views of gun ownership, gun policy and other subjects, drawn primarily from a Pew Research Center survey conducted in June 2023.

GUN TRUTHS: 1) People with guns kill people, and more efficiently than people without guns. The U.S. gun homicide rate is 26x higher than that of other high-income countries. 2) There is no evidence to show student participation in active shooter drills saves lives and data shows they do cause trauma and anxiety. The best way to protect schools from school shootings are proven threat assessment programs and gun safety laws. 3) Arming teachers ignores research that shows the presence of a gun increases the risks posed to children and teachers. School safety experts and law enforcement oppose arming teachers. 4) Chicago proves why we must push for strong federal gun laws. Many of the guns used in crime in Chicago can be traced back to nearby states with weaker gun laws. Excerpts from Excellent Factual Article below:

Shocking Reality: Firearms are the #1 cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. 🚨 Every year, over 21,000 young lives are tragically cut short or forever altered by gun violence, with around 3 million more exposed to its devastating effects. Senator J.D. Vance might label this as a “bleak fact of life,” but I refuse to accept it as the norm. Growing up in the South, where the first day of deer season was a revered tradition, I never knew a single family without a locked gun cabinet—and we certainly didn’t have assault rifles. Today, many of my friends and family from back home are open to sensible gun laws because we understand that assault rifles have no place in hunting. It’s time for a change, and common-sense gun laws are within our reach if we have the courage to challenge the gun lobby. Here’s how we can make a difference: 1) Safe Storage Laws: Ensure guns are securely stored and out of reach from unauthorized users. 2) Universal Background Checks: Mandate checks for all gun sales, blocking sales to those with felony convictions or dangerous histories. 3) Close Loopholes: Regulate online and gun show sales by unlicensed sellers to prevent dangerous transactions. 4) Red Flag Laws: Allow families or law enforcement to seek court orders to temporarily remove guns from individuals in crisis. 5) National Waiting Period: Implement a mandatory waiting period between purchasing and taking possession of a firearm to prevent impulsive acts during a crisis. 6) Information Sharing: Enable federal and state agencies to collaborate and share information on potential community risks. We owe it to our children to do better. It’s time to act. Let’s make our communities safer and give our kids the future they deserve. 💪🔒

BREAKING - YOUR REACTION: Enough is Enough: Outraged Biden Demands Action After Deadly Apalachee High School Shooting, Urges Assault Weapon Ban In a statement minutes ago, Biden wrote, "Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.  "We are closely coordinating with officials at the federal, state and local level, and are grateful for the first responders who brought the suspect into custody and prevented further loss of life. "Ending this gun violence epidemic is personal to me. It’s why I signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most meaningful gun safety bill in decades – and have announced dozens of gun safety executive actions. I also established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris. We’ve made significant progress, but this crisis requires even more. "After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say ‘enough is enough’ and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart."

Welcome to Day 48 of my 50 day posting journey to Election Day! I have received lots of nervous calls, texts and emails about the race. The most common anxiety I have heard is about the unAmerican rhetoric coming from Trump and the calls for violence. This reminded me of the issue of gun safety and how Kamala Harris champions policies that will make us all safer. Kamala Harris has advocated for various gun safety and gun control policies that have broad support due to the growing desire among Americans to address gun violence and improve public safety. 1. Universal Background Checks       •   Policy: Harris supports universal background checks on all gun sales, closing loopholes that currently allow private sellers to transfer guns without background checks.       •   Why It’s Popular: A majority of Americans support universal background checks as a common-sense measure to keep guns out of the hands of people who may pose a risk to public safety. This policy is seen as a straightforward way to prevent individuals with criminal records or mental health issues from obtaining firearms. 2. Red Flag Laws       •   Policy: Harris advocates for “red flag” laws, which allow law enforcement and family members to petition a court to temporarily remove guns from individuals deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.       •   Why It’s Popular: Many Americans view red flag laws as an effective way to prevent potential tragedies, especially in cases where warning signs are present but not enough to warrant other legal action. 3. Assault Weapons Ban       •   Policy: Harris supports a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, arguing that these types of firearms are not necessary for civilian use and pose a heightened risk in mass shooting scenarios.       •   Why It’s Popular: A significant portion of Americans support restrictions on assault weapons, particularly due to their frequent association with mass shootings. 4. Gun Manufacturer Liability       •   Policy: Harris has proposed holding gun manufacturers accountable, such as by allowing lawsuits against gun makers who market or design firearms in ways that increase gun violence risks.       •   Why It’s Popular: Many Americans feel that holding gun manufacturers accountable could incentivize safer design practices and discourage aggressive marketing tactics. These policies resonate with many Americans who are concerned about gun violence and support pragmatic steps to reduce risks without infringing on responsible gun ownership. Harris can make America safer. Over 60 million Americans have already voted, and I expect record turnout for this consequential election. It is certainly the most important election in my lifetime. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #Freedom #Election2024 #GunSafety #HarrisForPresident

I respect this mom's passion. She wants her son to be safe in school, and she's advocating for that which she believes will achieve that end goal. Unfortunately, the media machine and court of public opinion have tainted the pool of information, and Neumann (the mom in question) took that poison water and ran with it. For example, she asks: "Is that teacher going to accidentally leave that gun in a bathroom and it gets found by a child?" It's possible, though most teachers I know prefer to use the staff facilities that are off-limits to children. The, "What if a kid finds it?" argument has been posited by gun control advocates as a reason to refuse to allow teachers to exercise a constitutional right at work. The incidence of it actually occurring in the nearly 50% of US states that allow teachers to carry firearms on campus is statistically low. Neumann continues" "There's just a lot of chance for misfire and accidental harm that could come from them carrying guns in the classroom." This statement is based in a fundamental lack of knowledge of how a firearm operates. A properly-holstered handgun has effectively a 0% chance of misfiring. It literally has to be removed from the holster, the safety disengaged (if applicable), and the trigger pressed in order for it to fire. Guns don't just 'go off'. Finally... "Neuman says she appreciates the checks and balances in the legislation, and agrees that more security is needed at schools.  "It's the 'who' in his bill that I have issue with," she said. "We can't be putting this burden on our classroom teachers that have direct student responsibility. There's too much else that they would need to do in an active shooter situation." No one is "putting the burden on... classroom teachers." The teachers who want to carry, clear the BGC, and pass the 40-hour competency course will be permitted to carry their firearms on campus. There is no imposition on teachers who have no desire to carry a gun. Also, carrying a firearm is a passive act. It won't interfere with any other aspect of classroom instruction. Students themselves will be generally clueless that Mrs. Jones even has a gun on her for their safety. But if it becomes necessary, Mrs. Jones can lock down and proceed to use her firearm to prevent a tragedy in her classroom. The arguments used by Neumann and opposing members of the Tennessee legislature are not based in reality. While I have my own concerns about teachers having guns in their classrooms, I do believe the fastest way to end a rampage shooting is to get a second gun in the fight. School staff are the first people on site when the shooting starts. Leaving them defenseless is also not best practice. Be safe.

A bill introduced in the Kansas House would prohibit state and local enforcement of most federal gun control on the books. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee introduced House Bill 2803 (HB2803) on Feb. 15. Titled the Kansas Gun Rights Preservation Act, the bill would prohibit an agency of the state, a political subdivision of the state, and their employees from knowingly and willingly participating in any way in the enforcement of any federal act, law, executive order, administrative order, rule or regulation regarding a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition against a law-abiding citizen. Under the proposed law, a “law-abiding citizen” would be defined as “an individual who is not otherwise precluded under state law from possessing a firearm.” It would also prohibit the utilization of any assets, state funds, or funds allocated by the state to local entities for the enforcement of or aiding a federal agency in the enforcement of the same. HB2803 creates a process for a person harmed by a violation of the act to “bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive and other relief.” It also includes a $50,000 fine for any municipal agency that hires a person who previously violated the law. https://lnkd.in/eyGycw_y

Effective action SHOULD be to place armed, qualified security in public schools. Like we have armed security for politicians, public buildings and court personnel. Why do we STOP with security at our most precious resource, the children?

In our heated debate on gun control, there’s a critical perspective that often slips through the cracks amidst more polarized views. It's not about stripping guns from those who follow the law; it’s about instilling accountability in the sale and distribution of firearms. Let's delve into why enforcing stringent laws against illegal gun sales could be a game-changer in reducing gun violence, all while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners. 🛡️🔒 Imagine a law that clamps down HARD on illegal gun sales. If a firearm sold unlawly finds its way into a crime scene, the seller would face the music right alongside the criminal. Such a law wouldn’t just make individuals think twice before dabbling in shady arms deals—it could significantly slash the number of guns slipping through the cracks into nefarious hands. Consider the potential deterrence of imposing a life sentence without parole for those caught selling weapons out of their car trunks. At first blush, this seems rather draconian. But peel back the layers, and you'll see the logic: illegal gun sales fuel the flames of violent crimes. The severity of the punishment mirrors the gravity of contributing to such acts. This would heavily discourage the underground gun market. Implementing these robust laws calls for an ironclad enforcement strategy. We need a symphony of federal, state, and local agencies playing in perfect harmony, armed with comprehensive background checks and vigilant gun sale monitoring. It's a tall order but entirely within our reach if we prioritize public safety over the ease and profit of gun transactions. To wrap up, this discourse isn’t about infringing upon the freedoms of gun enthusiasts who play by the rules. It's about safeguarding our communities from the ravages of gun violence by holding accountable those who flirt with the law. Promoting responsible gun ownership and cracking down on illegal sales can help us navigate a path that honors individual liberties while protecting our shared security. The gun control conversation is complex, no doubt. Yet, by embracing innovative solutions like the ones above, we might discover a middle ground that satisfies both camps. Let’s commit to a constructive dialogue, focusing on reducing gun violence and fortifying the safety of our neighborhoods. Together, we can aim for a future where our rights and our security are not at odds but aligned. 🔫💬 #GunControl #PublicSafety #ResponsibleOwnership

"After surging nearly 30 percent in 2020, gun violence is falling at a historic rate for the second year in a row. However, rather than building on this momentum by passing stronger gun laws and increasing investments to tackle the root causes of violence, the far-right extremists behind Project 2025 want to put the power—and profits—back in the hands of the corporate gun lobby. Their radical policy agenda would make it easier for people who want to commit violence to carry guns and harder for law enforcement to solve violent crime. Many of the dangerous ideas pushed by Project 2025 and the corporate gun lobby are already being championed by lawmakers. One of the most extreme of these ideas is the Concealed Carry Reciprocity (CCR) Act. This legislation would overrule state laws on carrying concealed guns, making it so almost anyone can carry firearms in public. By forcing states to recognize concealed carry laws from other states with weak or nonexistent standards, CCR would enable tourists with criminal histories to carry loaded and hidden firearms in busy places such as Times Square in New York, L.A. Live in Los Angeles, and the National Mall in Washington, D.C.—no questions asked. If CCR were enacted, research strongly suggests that the United States would experience increases in violent crime, in petty disputes escalating into shootings, and in unsolved offenses. With the toll of gun violence already costing the United States an estimated $557 billion and nearly 50,000 lives each year, we cannot afford to weaken concealed carry requirements."