Tucson, the NRA, the ATF and the DMV

Every state has long had a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). No sane person objects to the existence of such a state governmental agency or its authority, nor do auto manufacturers, car clubs or auto dealers.

There was a time, of course, that such departments did not exist. DMV’s were ultimately created in light of the growing number of cars on the streets of our cities as we outgrew the horse and buggy era.

How is it, then, that every state does not also have a Department of Firearms (DFA) now? Wouldn’t this be a proper mechanism to responsibly manage weapons traffic and use in our states and cities? People smarter than I can extrapolate from this idea of a DFA and, yes, I know we do have a federal agency that is responsible for oversight of guns. The “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (and Explosives)”, right? Really? Alcohol and Tobacco are equated with Firearms? How does that make sense?

Gun ownership and use in our country should stop being worshipped like a religion. Hyperbolic? Not really when one considerers the vehemence expressed in association with American gun ownership entitlement, embraced as a mythological God given right. Life, liberty and the pursuit of weaponry. The NRA and its proselytizing of this gun culture idolitry has proven well beyond a shadow of doubt to be entirely untrustworthy as an honest broker in developing an idea along the lines of control or regulation of mechanisms that are regularly used to kill. Their influence should be as minimized from where it has been to the level of those who were impacted in Tucson. No more, no less. Were GM, Ford, motor clubs, etc. part of the establishment of DMV’s or were they most likely mandated to responsibly follow enacted state law? I suppose one major difference between guns and automobiles, though, is that a license to carry a concealed car does not exist.

The shooting that occurred in Tucson in January 2011 was truly tragic beyond words. I have a heartfelt belief, as many do, that the victims of that shooting, including 9 year old Christina Green, along with their their families and friends deserve a legacy that demonstrates we have learned from their loss and honor them by rejecting a status quo view of gun sales and ownership in this country. We must all be willing to stop being enablers and deniers of simple obvious truth in connection with this ongoing issue with a growing need of attention. The growth of that need can be calibrated by aggregating each death-by-gunshot that has occurred since January 8, 2011.