In the wake of the shooting in Tucson, it seemed for a moment that the country was ready to have a serious conversation about guns. While few people believe it's possible, or even desirable, to turn America into Canada or Britain, many think we should at least address the issue of 30-round clips, the easy availability of assault weapons, and the lack of background checks at gun shows. Doing so is not going to step on anyone's Second Amendment rights and, in fact, many NRA members support these measures (like my brother-in-law, who's in the weapons business).
Here in Arizona we have about the loosest laws in the land; only Utah is more lax. People without permits can pack concealed weapons; you can carry guns into bars and restaurants; and the state's firearms dealers aren't subject to federal guidelines, which has led to an increase in gun-running to Mexico. If any old Joe off the street can walk into a gun shop and buy a dozen AK47s at a time, which he turns around and sells to cartels in Mexico, something is seriously out of whack.
So, with Tucson in our rearview mirror, it seemed an appropriate time to bring up some of these commonsense issues and begin an adult conversation. Instead, the Arizona legislature decided to give the finger to the victims of 1/8/11.
New Arizona legislation aims to loosen gun laws
Arizona solidified its reputation last year as one of the most liberal gun states in the nation after the Legislature passed a law allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. This year, gun-rights advocates hope to push Arizona to the top of the list by passing a "Firearms Omnibus" bill that would make Arizona the second state in the nation to require universities and communities to allow guns on campus and one of 10 that permit guns inside public government buildings such as the state Capitol.
I read through a lot of comments at the Arizona Republic's blog, where this story was posted last night. Of course, many pro-gun advocates say it's their Second Amendment right, end of story. Others argue that if someone would've had a gun in Tucson, Loughner would not have been able to kill or injure as many people; or if someone had a gun at Virginia Tech, Seung-Hui Cho would not have murdered 32 people. Well, someone did have a gun in Tucson and he almost shot the wrong person, and let's not forget, the people who took Loughner down had no weapons. And I don't even know what to say about the Virginia Tech argument. I can't see using that as an excuse to arm hundreds of people on my university's campus, when doing so will likely lead to more violence, whether intended or accidental. Should we do the same in high schools because of Columbine?
I don't intend this diary to be an argument about gun control -- it's about the piss-poor leadership in our state. I know there are many gun advocates here and their views often spill out in the comments whenever the subject is broached. That's fine. I put away guns when I left the Army, that was enough for me. Others want them for hunting, sport, or safety, like many in my family. I respect that. I don't try to convince them that a "well-regulated militia" does not mean anyone can own a Glock, and they've given up trying to persuade me that owning a weapon will make my neighborhood safer or stave off a government takeover. That's arguing at the extremes of the Second Amendment; let's get back to the middle, to some commonsense terrain. So c'mon! How in the world is allowing people to carry guns into a courtroom where a trial is underway common sense? Why can I buy a shit load of AK47s at a dealer day after day, but if I buy more than two handguns a month, that must be reported? And why can anyone buy a weapon at a gun show, no questions asked?
But rather than begin a dialog about issues that many Arizonans are willing to entertain, yesterday our esteemed legislature introduced SB 1201, which will only pick at the scab of this issue. The bill under consideration does more than allow gun-toting citizens to enter public buildings. It also waters down Shannon's Law, which currently considers it "criminal negligence" to shoot a firearm into the air and accidentally injure someone. Now the prosecution must prove the person "knew that shooting the gun could result in someone's death or injury."
The bill also introduces a handy provision that will make law officials think twice before questioning someone with a weapon. It will:
Allow people to sue if they feel they were illegally stopped from carrying a firearm into a government facility or event. If a person wins the lawsuit and the government agency doesn't pay within 72 hours, the person has the right to seize as payment "any municipal vehicles used or operated for the benefit of any elected office holder" in the relevant government agency.
Why is this bill needed, especially as Arizona and the nation still mourn for a congresswoman in a Houston rehab clinic, six people in the ground, and dozens more with scars for life? According to the Arizona Citizens Defense League, which is behind SB 1201, it's a "secure-buildings bill." Spokesperson Charles Heller says he doesn't mind surrendering weapons when entering buildings that are secure, "But if you're going to prohibit [guns], make it secure ... don't disarm the victims. You set up a slaughter."
Excuse me? I've been visiting the State Capitol, legislative chambers, courthouses, and many other state buildings and properties for decades; I've walked the campuses of Arizona's universities and community colleges for longer than that. I've never considered them non-secure, and I certainly never imagined the present conditions "set up a slaughter." When I visit the legislature or a court building, I pass through metal detectors and law officials are stationed throughout the facility. How will my packing a pistol make this more secure?
The bill's proponents introduced similar legislation last year but it failed, mostly because of the guns-on-campus provision; professors, college officials, and police spoke out against it. Now, though, with even more wackjobs in the legislature, and crazyass Russell Pearce presiding as President of the Senate, the bill will probably pass.
"Singularly Unfit"
The main question is, WTF does this bill have to do with our real problems? This week's TIME Magazine has a lengthy story about Arizona, which covers many of the challenges plaguing the state:
• the Republican-caused economic shit storm that hit us is among the worst in the nation, which has resulted in draconian cuts to schools, universities, and social services;
• because the state's industry for so long was growth, driven by the housing boom, we're the poster child for the foreclosure mess;
• our public education system ranks 49th or 50th in just about every important indicator, and universities have been cut to the bone;
• the state's AHCCCS system, once a Medicaid model for the country, is a national joke thanks to the organ transplant controversy;
• and of course SB 1070 and other hateful immigration policies make Arizona look like a bunch of vicious dickwads.
With state mascots like 13-second catatonic Governor Jan Brewer, not to mention Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Senator Russell Pearce, the Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum of bigotry, there's no way Arizona is going to dig itself out of the economic and social cesspool we're drowning in.
TIME hit the nail on the head in its article "Arizona's Great Divide" (link, h/t midnight lurker). After reviewing many of the state's serious problems, author Nathan Thornburgh writes,
"The current leadership appears singularly unfit to tackle these challenges."
Gee, ya think? As the economy collapses around us, as schools fail, as the healthcare system implodes, what does the legislature do during its first week in session? It introduces four bills that challenge the birthright clause of the 14th Amendment and another bill that relaxes gun laws. I have no doubt more restrictions on gay marriage, tougher abortion laws, and additional prohibitions on teaching ethnic studies are waiting in the wings. And let's not forget more corporate tax cuts, because that worked so well before.
Yeah, this is the leadership Arizona needs. They're not just giving the finger to the victims of Tucson. They're hoisting the bird to anyone who doesn't march lockstep to their intolerant stupidity.