Republicans are wrapping themselves in support for law enforcement after 5 Dallas police officers were killed in a sniper attack, but the Republicans are refusing to acknowledge that the killer or killers were easily able to buy weapons that were more powerful than what law enforcement possessed.
Speaker Paul Ryan delivered a speech on the floor of the House this morning that never mentioned gun reform:
An attack on the people who protect us is an attack on all of us. Let justice be done, and let healing be done too. pic.twitter.com/Kv01WROYEu
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 8, 2016
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Ryan said, “Every Democrat and every Republican in this body wants to see less gun violence. Every member of this body wants to see a world where people feel safe regardless of the color of their skin. That’s not how people are feeling these days. Sometimes we disagree on how to get there. Sometimes we disagree passionately on how to get there, but in having this debate let’s not lose sight of the values that unite us. Let’s not lose sight of our common humanity.”
Nowhere in Ryan’s 3-minute speech was the ease of access to mass killing weapons mentions. In fact, Paul Ryan intentionally avoided mentioning guns at all.
Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump issued a statement that blamed Obama for increasing racial tensions but didn’t mention guns, “Our nation has become too divided. Too many Americans feel like they’ve lost hope. Crime is harming too many citizens. Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better. This isn’t the American Dream we all want for our children.”
The pattern in the Republican response is clear. Play up a message of unity, but never mention the one legislative step that the American people and law enforcement have been demanding.
If Republicans want to reduce mass shootings like Dallas, the first step that they can take is to allow votes of real gun reform legislation.
Dozens of children died at Sandy Hook, and Republicans did nothing. The worse mass shooting in US history happens at a nightclub in Orlando, and Republicans shrug. The worst attack on law enforcement since 9/11 left 12 officers dead or wounded and Republicans still refuse to talk about the role that America’s easy access to weapons of mass killing play in these situations.
We can’t stop mass killers from wanting to kill, but we can end the culture of enablement that makes it too easy for them to carry out their devious plans.
Republicans are a big part of the problem, and their statements after Dallas serve as a reminder that they remain unwilling to be part of any real solution.’
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
