In Colorado, as across the nation, flags have been ordered to half-staff beginning immediately until sunset, May 28, 2022 as a mark of respect for the victims of the acts of violence perpetrated on May 24, 2022 by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen young children and two teachers were mercilessly gunned down in their classrooms, marking the 27th instance of gun violence in U.S. schools this year.
President Joe Biden. Photo courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
The full text of the President Joe Biden’s proclamation reads:
As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 24, 2022, by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 28, 2022.
I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
In remarks to the nation on Tuesday evening, an obviously upset president was less restrained and more urgent. “When in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby,” he asked retorically.
He reiterated the need to reinstate the lapsed U.S. ban on the sale of assault weapons. He reminded the nation that nine out of 10 people believe the nation should have universal background checks. He brought up the need for red flag laws that would temporarily remove guns from the possession of someone in a behavioral health crisis. He spoke of the attempts by the U.S. House to limited the sale of big magazines capable of holding large quantities of ammunition.
He reminded the U.S. people that “the majority of American people want something done.”
I am hoping that someday, someone will answer this for me: What possible reason would an 18-yr-old have for purchasing assault rifles and high capacity magazine 2 DAYS AFTER HIS 18th BIRTHDAY? There simply isn’t another reasonable explanation for the “rush to buy assault rifles” EXCEPT to do a mass shooting. I believed when Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted that it would basically become a free-for-all, and it has. The Buffalo shooter certainly had known problems, but this Uvalde shooter was mentally deranged at all levels. There is evidence of him abusing small animals. I’d also like someone to tell me how a kid like that has well over $1,000 to purchase assault rifles and NO ADULT has any idea what he’s doing? This evil individual told a classroom of small children cowering together, “It’s time to die now.” What a brave young man. Finally, Texas is Open Carry, No License and No Permit required. They’ve had how many mass shootings? Their government appears to be doing a fine job.
I’m a veteran. I was awarded a marksmanship ribbon with several clusters. I own guns and enjoy shooting them. I also support increased restrictions on who can buy guns, and what sort of weapons and magazines are permitted for purchase.
All the gun nuts love to run around crying about the second amendment, like it was handed down from god, but the strange thing is how most of them seem to completely ignore the “well-regulated” part of “a well-regulated militia”.
“Well-regulated??? Why, what could that even mean? Let’s just ignore that part completely while we work on repealing all gun laws, everywhere.”