Once again, events of the day are colliding. First, the National Rifle Association has announced that Donald Trump will be the keynote speaker at its Feb. 9th presidential forum -- part of the Great American Outdoor Show -- in Harrisburg, PA; and second, Attorney General Merrick Garland recently said that no 18-year-old should be allowed to own a military-style weapon. In his words, "The AR-15 belongs on the battlefield not in the classroom."
According to NRA president Charles Cotton, "President Trump's unwavering support for the Second Amendment, and his track record of protecting the rights of gun owners make him an exemplary speaker for this momentous event. His fellow NRA members can’t wait to hear from him." Does anyone expect Trump to say something he already hasn't said? I doubt it.
Last year there were more than 500 mass shootings in America. As a reminder, a mass shooting is defined as an event where at least 4 people are killed during a single incident. As you know, these tragic events have happened at schools, grocery stores, bars, small businesses, and private parties coast to coast.
Because Congress seems reluctant (at best) and paralyzed (at worst) when it comes to passing new federal gun safety legislation, the White House has developed a new strategy: Help governors and lawmakers create and pass new safety laws in their states.
I wish First Lady Dr. Jill Biden would encourage her husband to do more than that. Specifically, convene a gun summit at Camp David. Sound familiar? That's what Rosalynn Carter did back in 1978. Luckily, her husband listened and, over the objections of his staff, invited Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel to Camp David. After nearly two weeks of intense negotiations, the former enemies hammered out a peace agreement that still is in effect today. Imagine what the NRA, 2nd Amendment proponents, law enforcement officials and families of victims could accomplish if Joe Biden invited them to Camp David now.
To be clear, I don't want another person to become a victim (or statistic) when it comes to a mass shooting. I'm guessing Jill Biden doesn't want that either. Let me know if you need help writing her a letter.
-DF