Tipping Point and 3 Questions

Have we reached a tipping point in the gun debate? It’s been a week since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida. I am sensing something different in the tone.

It’s a combination of things. This is a major, nationally publicized shooting at a high school in the social media age. These kids are angry, they know how to communicate and they don’t give a damn about protocol and politeness. Politicians have done nothing to address the problem of gun violence and the kids are calling them out for it.

Second, it feels like the NRA brand is getting toxic. The NRA crowd is attacking survivors and other kids who are speaking out against gun violence and demanding action. It’s ugly.

Which brings me to three questions for local political leaders, in several parts:

1.     US Congressman Rob Woodall took $2,000 in NRA cash. Will he return it? He voted for concealed carry reciprocity which would allow people from states with little or no licensing required to carry weapons license free in Georgia. Any regrets on this vote?

2.     Georgia State Representative Todd Jones (R-25), bragged in his campaign literature here (http://jonesfor.us/dont-believe-the-last-minute-smears/) that he achieved the “highest ranking…from the NRA.” Is he still proud of this “honor?” Any regrets on the vote for Campus Carry?

3.     Greg Dolezal, running to replace Michael William as our state senator, has removed Michael from his “steering committee” on his website. He was there last fall. Was it the protest outside the high school in Cherokee county, the bump stock giveaway after the Las Vegas shooting or something else? Also, on his website he promises to “support and expand 2^nd amendment rights.” In the last few years Georgia Republicans have expanded the presence of guns into bars, churches, parks, areas of the airport and most recently college campuses. Where else would he like to expand them to? Under the Gold Dome possibly?

These kids are holding their leaders accountable in a way the grown ups never have. We need to stand behind them.

And a child shall lead them.

Amen.