Since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook School in Newtown CT there have been 74 school shootings in the United States. On that day 20 little souls and their protectors were killed by a crazed gunman. There has been controversy concerning how to classify school shootings and disputing that statistic of 74 shootings. Everytown For Gun Safety (Everytown.org) who put out the information, wants to classify school shootings as any shooting on a school campus.
Gun rights advocates dispute this definition of a 'school shooting' and accuse Everytown of misleading the public. They prefer to perceive the definition as being like the Newtown incident in which many people are killed and or wounded. No matter which definition you choose, there have been 74 incidents of violence on school campuses since the Newtown shootings. Is the most important thing how many die, whether it is homicide or suicide? Or is the most important thing that violence in and around schools continues?
We say the latter is more important. Yet the pro gunnies discount a shooting by a student on a group of students living together in a sorority like situation because it wasn't on a campus though it was clearly school related. So who are the truly disingenuous ones? Others would say that the number of school shootings has remained static for over a decade. Isn't the true point however that it has not gone down. Shouldn't it be if we are doing the right things to reduce gun violence? Even at the static level we still have far more school shootings than any other western industrialized nation. So is a flat level of shootings anything for our nation to be proud of? We say it is not.
Here are some links for your information. We have included some that dispute the Everytown statistics.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/06/10/map-at-least-74-school-shootings-since-newtown/
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/13/cnn-cuts-school-shootings-since-newtown-from-74-to-15-to-appease-gun-advocates/
http://everytown.org/article/schoolshootings/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/10/school-shootings-since-newtown-_n_5480811.html
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/06/oregon-school-shooting-74th-since-newtown.html
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/jun/13/everytown-gun-safety/have-there-been-74-school-shootings-sandy-hook-clo/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/
Gun violence remains a plague in our society. Shootings happen every day. In fact if you look at the following list you should be appalled at the number of shootings that happen in our nation on an almost daily basis. This list compiles the mass shootings that have occurred in 2014 alone. It is astounding and disheartening.
http://shootingtracker.com/wiki/Mass_Shootings_in_2014
In just the first six months of 2014 there have been 116 mass shootings in the United States. That is a disgrace to us as a society and a free nation. We continue to be unable to break free of the influence of the gun lobby and the powerful gun rights groups such as the NRA. The gun rights advocates are extremely vocal and some are radical in their beliefs regarding where firearms should be allowed. The focus of today's attention is such a group, OpenCarry.org with the emphasis on Open Carry Texas
Groups advocating for Open Carry have increased and their desire is for firearms to be allowed everywhere in the United States. There are those who oppose such access to what is a dangerous weapon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_carry_in_the_United_States
OpenCarry.org is one of the most vocal of such groups. They believe in the open carry of long guns which is extremely controversial. They have chapters in every state.
http://www.opencarry.org/
The most strident chapter of OpenCarry.org is Open Carry Texas. Recently they have been taking long guns out into public places such as restaurants, often frightening people. Members of the group have even threatened people who disagree with them and their motives.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20140607-texas-open-carry-movement-raises-passions-threats.ece
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/05/robert-farago/open-carry-activist-hassles-open-carry-antagonist/
http://www.kxxv.com/story/24026766/jury-gives-cj-grisham-2000-fine-with-no-jail-time
http://bearingarms.com/c-j-grisham-found-guilty-in-temple-open-carry-case/
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/03/texas-open-carry-advocate-cant-admit-that-people-with-assault-rifles-might-be-scary/
http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/14/open-carry-activists-armed-and-visible/
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/04/06/armed-protesters-gather-at-texas-open-carry-rally-after-tasing-arrest-of-man-walking-with-loaded-rifle/
http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-News+Local/201278/politicians-talk-open-carry-laws-some-east-texas-lawmakers-give-support-to-gun-issue#.U50ZKfldVic
http://www.twincities.com/nation/ci_25889795/armed-gun-rights-demonstration-at-texas-target-store
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/NRA-blasts-Open-Carry-Texas-after-San-Antonio-5522959.php
In the last link above it states that Chili's, Chipolte's, Jack In the Box and Starbucks have all denounced the practice.
Even the NRA was unsure about the validity of the Open Carry Texas rallies but under pressure, they retracted the statement. An NRA spokesperson called the rallies 'weird and scary'.
http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2014/06/nra-texas-open-carry-rallies-downright-weird-and-scary/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/06/04/318763239/nra-retracts-statement-calling-open-carry-rallies-downright-weird
Gun violence in our society must be stopped. It has become far too commonplace though the pro gunnies would tell you that is not the truth. Their answer to society's ills is for all citizens to carry a weapon. That of course is a foolish belief system that has no validity in reality.
President Obama spoke not long after the latest school shooting. He called our inability to pass even the most basic gun legislation the "greatest frustration of his presidency". He is not alone in that frustration. Many others who also support gun safety regulations are just as frustrated as he is. The gun lobby has a lock on certain Republican legislators and they will never do the right thing for the American People which is to pass common sense gun legislation. Legislation that improves background checks, closes the gun show loophole, bans assault weapons, places limits on the amount of ammunition a person can purchase and makes it more difficult for the mentally ill to obtain weapons.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/obama-guns-mass-shootings
Finally however the Supreme Court upheld one law regarding weapons, giving gun safety advocates a victory. It upheld the law banning straw purchases where one person buys a gun then gives it to someone else.
http://www.npr.org/2014/06/16/322650543/supreme-court-rules-against-straw-gun-purchases
http://online.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-upholds-federal-ban-on-straw-purchases-of-guns-1402932979
The New York firefighter shooting case involved a straw purchase. The shooter was unable to purchase a weapon so a friend did so for him. That straw purchase cost the lives of two firefighters and the agregious wounding of others.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/nyregion/2-firefighters-killed-in-western-new-york.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/25567685/lawsuit-gander-mountain-failed-to-recognize-straw-buyer-connected-to-ny-firefighter-shooting
People gathered today in Washington against gun violence, to fight for gun legislation and to tell the stories of their personal losses. But their impassioned pleas fall on the deaf ears of pro gun legislators and the gun lobby.
http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2014/06/martinez-comes-to-washington-to-bring-message-of-not-one-more/
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Gun-law-advocates-raise-not-one-more-call-5559553.php
Meanwhile Hillary Clinton in an interview said the following. “We cannot let a minority of people, and that’s what it is, it is a minority of people, hold a viewpoint that terrorizes the majority of people,”
http://time.com/2891821/hillary-clinton-2016-gun-control/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/17/hillary-clinton-gun-control_n_5505080.html?utm_hp_ref=media&ir=Media
That is indeed what the gun lobby does. When it looks like there might be new gun legislation they threaten revolution, or secession. That includes some sheriffs. Much of what they do is to frighten those who disagree with them.
http://aattp.org/mi-open-carrier-will-not-be-charged-after-threatening-revolution-video/
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/04/30/wing-sheriff-threatens-america-armed-rebellion.html
That is what the recent Open Carry campaigns have done. Frighten people. They say that they want to get people used to guns in public but we say it is also to scare people out of disagreeing with their agenda.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/11/18/the-scare-campaign-of-open-carry-activists.html
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Open-Carry-Demonstrators-Scare-Fort-Worth-Employees-257751871.html
Then Open Carry Texas threatened to release personal information about anyone who complains about their demonstrations. As time has gone on the gun lobby becomes more and more strident. As Hillary Clinton stated they are a minority seeking to terrorize the majority. That however can not be allowed.
http://freakoutnation.com/2014/04/28/open-carry-texas-vows-to-release-private-information-on-concerned-citizens-who-call-the-cops/
Firearms in our nation need to be regulated. A minority can not be allowed to terrorize the majority. We constantly hear about Second Amendment Rights. What about the rights of others to life and safety? To not have to constantly be concerned about gun violence? It is not right in our society when a few can rule the fate of many. We need elected officials who have courage. The courage to stand up and fight the gun rights groups. To vote for what is right to make our nation safer. Average citizens also need to stand up and say "Enough!" Enough violence, enough death, enough fear. We will tolerate it no longer. We demand action be taken. It is time for those of us who believe in common sense gun safety laws to stand our ground and not back down. To be unafraid and not give into threats.
We will take our first action. Again we post.
1. Name: Kory Watkins
Associated: Open Carry Texas
Address: 717 Santa Cruz Drive
Keller, TX 76248
Previous: 1229 Fairhaven Drive
Mansfield, TX 76063
Previous: 1449 Flying L Lane
Mansfield, TX 76063
Previous: 108 Magnolia Street, Apt. 29
Mansfield, TX 76063
Telephone: (817) 225-2006
EMail: contact@opencarrytexas.org
Relatives: Kyle, Sharon, David, Janie Mellado Watkins
2. Name: Christopher 'CJ' Grisham III
Associated: Open Carry Texas
Address: 2415 Old Howard Road
Temple, TX 76504
Previous: 7251 Little Mexico Road
Temple, TX 76504
Telephone: (254) 778-7903, (760) 386-0032
EMail: contact@opencarrytexas.org
Relatives: Emily, Lorene, Charles, Denise, Brian
3. Name: Pliny Gale
Associated: Open Carry Texas
Address: 630 Meadow View Lane
Coppell, Texas. 75019
Telephone: (972) 393-0065
EMail: pliny_gale@hotmail.com
Relatives: Katy Gale, Mary Etta Gale
4. Name: Toby 'Tov' Henderson
Associated: Open Carry Texas
Address: 5600 North Beach Street, Apt. 415
Haltom City TX 76137 (Some sources list Fort Worth)
Telephone: (817) 605-0770, (817) 576-3988
EMail: tovya_benyon@yahoo.com
Relatives: Tracy, Cindy, Jacob, Ashlie,
5. Name: Ryan Stephens
Associated: Open Carry Texas, Union Gospel Mission Of Tarrant County
Address: 6899 Hightower Drive, Apt. 1511
North Richland Hills, Texas 76182
Previous: 5228 Warm Springs Trail
Fort Worth, Texas, 76137
Previous: 11949 Drummond Lane
Fort Worth, Texas 76108
Telephone: (817) 514-1565, (817) 253-7760
EMail: rsteph7112@aol.com
Relatives: Amanda Stephens, Marie Anderson Stephens, Kathy Stephens, Heather (Stephens) Howell, Russell Stephens, Susan Stephens
6. Name: Kenneth Stone
Associated: Open Carry Texas
Address: 804 West Coke Road
Winnsboro, TX 75494
Telephone: (903) 365-3138
EMail: krstone@ibm.net
Relatives: Joy, Raymond, Marie
7. Name: Joseph Neal Tye
Associated: Open Carry Texas
Address: 1670 Holland Lake Drive, Apt. 6101
Weatherford, TX 76096
Previous: 222 County Road, Unit 4896
Boyd, Texas 76023
Previous: 1103 Wellington Lane
Wichita Falls, TX 76305
Previous: 1747 Remington Circle
Weatherford, TX 76086
Telephone: (817) 594-9486
EMail: contact@opencarrytexas.org
Relatives: Shelly Tye, Sue Zanne Stone, Andrea Jaye Stone, Joseph Sutton
More names to be added to post....
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