In recent weeks, several more gun-violence-related deaths have occurred across the nation. Unfortunately, Arizona finds itself, once again, in the midst of these tragedies.
Two teen-aged girls lost their lives in a devastating murder-suicide at a Glendale high school. And another teenager has to deal with a lifetime of doubt because he loaned a weapon to a troubled young friend without alerting an adult.
A 14-year-old student in Ohio opened fire in the school cafeteria, injuring four.
An Uber driver randomly shot and killed six people in Michigan, picking up fares between the killings.
And a disgruntled employee shot and killed three and wounded 16 others in Kansas. He committed these acts after being served with an โorder of protection from abuseโ by the county sheriffโs department 90 minutes before the shootings.
Not infrequently after such tragic losses from gun-related violence, many ask โwhat can be done?โ or โwhat is being done?โ
The sad truth here in Arizona is that our state government is working hard to loosen the rules and statutes governing the regulation of firearms. Working hard to make it less difficult for those who should not have access to firearms (prohibited possessors) to get their hands on a gun, instead of more difficult; working hard to prevent regulations that would protect a law-abiding Arizonan from unknowingly selling a weapon to someone who means to use it to do harm.
The present legislative session started just over seven weeks ago, and no fewer than six bills addressing guns are currently moving through the legislative process. These bills, if passed, would loosen regulations on gun transfers and sales as well as the ability to carry weapons in public spaces, modify the definition of prohibited weapons and substantially limit the ability of the state to enforce federal rules and regulations regarding firearms.
How many bills addressing public safety and violence prevention are moving through the legislative process?
None. Zero.
That doesnโt mean some of us arenโt trying.
I, along with three colleagues in the Legislature, introduced bipartisan bills, in both the House and the Senate, which would have formed a study committee of stakeholders to examine public safety and violence prevention. Potential committee members/stakeholders would have included members of the Legislature, sheriffs and police chiefs, members of the media and mental health-care providers, as well as Second Amendment-rights and gun-safety advocates.
HB 2011 and SB 1021 did not receive a hearing. With no hearing, the public is excluded from the process of deciding the importance of forming a study committee to simply discuss the issue of public safety and violence prevention in our state. With no hearing, these bills have zero chance of making it through the legislative process this session.
Republican legislative leaders in Arizona have chosen to continue to ignore the tragic events that have become endemic to our American culture. They have chosen to exclude the public from participating in the legislative process regarding this pressing and important issue.
HB 2011 and SB 1021 simply required a group of people with differing views and concerns to sit down and talk about the problem, try to find any common ground, and maybe, just maybe, suggest a possible starting place for solutions.
Republican legislative leaders in Arizona donโt wish to address public safety and violence prevention. Republican legislative leaders in Arizona donโt even want to talk about it.
