It's not mental illness, it's hate and guns | By Peter Ambler for CNNOpinion
Peter Ambler is an El Paso native and the executive director of Giffords, an organization founded by former US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and former NASA astronaut and retired Navy Capt. Mark Kelly to fight gun violence. Ambler has worked for Democrats in Congress and on campaign staffs. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion articles on CNN.
Gunshots shattering the peace. Crowds surging in panic as people run for their lives. Bodies beginning to fall, first responders arriving on the scene, breaking news filtering out into the world. It's a scene that's become familiar in our country. Peter AmblerBut as devastating and unfathomable as such events seem, the tragedies that played out in my hometown of El Paso, Texas, on Saturday morning, and then 13 hours later in Dayton, Ohio, were not random in nature, nor can we treat them as unexpected. In Texas, 22 people were killed and more than two dozen injured while running weekend errands at Walmart. In Ohio, nine people were shot dead and 26 wounded in an entertainment district on a summer night.
Trump offered prayers for 'those who perished in Toledo' 01:51The difference between the United States and other developed countries, the reason for all of this pain and suffering, is tragically simple -- in America we allow bigots to arm themselves with weapons of war. We make 100-drum magazines readily available -- including to those who intend to cause harm.
We must demand that Congress come back in session and take action. Demand that our representatives stand up for safer gun laws like universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders. This is not the future the founding fathers envisioned for our country. America needs leaders with the courage to build a safer future for every family in our country.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump: Mental illness & hatred pull the trigger, not the gunAfter a weekend at his New Jersey golf resort, the president pointedly denounces racism and white supremacy after the El Paso slaughter and the Dayton killings just 13 hours later. But will anything change? NBC's Hallie Jackson, NBC News justice correspondent Pete Williams and White House reporter for the Associated Press Jonathan Lemire join Andrea Mitchell to discuss.
Read more »
Trump Blames Mass Shootings on Mental Illness, Immigrants, Videogames; Anything But GunsTrump blames mass shootings on mental illness, immigrants, videogames; anything but guns:
Read more »
Celebrities Demand Gun Control Amidst Multiple Shootings: ‘It’s About Life and Death’Rihanna slams Donald Trump following this weekend's shootings: 'Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA! Imagine a world where they build a wall to keep terrorists IN AMERICA!!!'
Read more »
It's not just the trade war – these global fears could put stocks through the wringerThe U.S.-China trade war is spooking Wall Street, but Phil Orlando of Federated Investors says that's not the only hurdle ahead.
Read more »
Victoria Beckham reveals the royal that inspires her - and it's not Meghan Markle or Kate MiddletonVictoria Beckham shared a post to her Instagram stories this week revealing that Queen Rania of Jordan is one of her inspirations
Read more »
Supernatural Is Ending, But It's Probably Not Really Over?The stars and executive producers took to the TCA stage to talk about the upcoming season 15
Read more »