Virginia Tech anniversary creates difficult moment on gun control for lawmakers [View all]

[ellisonz]

By Mike Lillis - 04/12/12 05:00 AM ET

A confluence of events related to gun violence — including the fifth anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre — is creating an uncomfortable situation for congressional leaders when they return to Washington from their long spring vacation.

A large group of shooting victims has challenged a handful of leaders in both parties to meet on Capitol Hill next week to discuss ways to keep firearms out of dangerous hands — an uneasy topic for many members who will be forced to balance their sensitivity for the victims with their support for gun rights and the powerful gun lobby.

The victims are citing a long list of current events — the Virginia Tech anniversary, the February shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin and last week's fatal rampage at a religious college in Oakland, to name a few — to pressure lawmakers to confront a question that's been all but ignored by this Congress: Does current law do enough to keep firearms from those who might illegally use them against others?

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The offices of both Senate leaders — Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — for instance, could not say if the two gun-rights supporters will meet with the shooting victims. Pressed on the issue, both offices clammed up.

More: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/221095-virginia-tech-anniversary-creates-uncomfortable-moment-on-gun-control-for-lawmakers

Gotta love that turn of phrase; no one is forced to do anything. Our elected officials sole goal should be to uphold the Constitution of the United States and not to balance politics. The reality here is clear: the Constitution states that public safety/general welfare are of public interest and that there is a right to keep and bear arms within the context of "a well-regulated Militia." That our public debate has been reduced to balancing "sensitivity for the victims" with a special interest group and their economic allies is shameful. Can anyone tell me why we haven't done better in this country? Can anyone tell me why we cannot do better in this country? Can anyone tell me why we shouldn't do better in this country? I'm all ears, but what I see here is nothing but a failure to uphold the Constitution and a betrayal of the American people. Maybe our elected officials should do more to force themselves to do their jobs...