New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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Need for gun-control bill more apparent after national tragedies

Amid the terror and tragedy that unfolded last week was a travesty committed by our nation’s elected representatives that went relatively unnoticed. The gun reform bill, long awaited by many Americans, was brought to the congressional floor. Yet, in a series of failed amendments to the legislation — including reinstating the federal assault weapons ban — that tangibly illustrated the forceful influence of money on our political system, Congress failed to pass the sensible, bipartisan gun-control policy to protect Americans.

Preventable tragedies like the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School must be used to bring this debate to our collective attention, in the hope that meaningful reform will be passed one day. This bill was the result of a movement that started after the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., and had the public’s support. But attention waned and the bill was quietly defeated after pro-gun groups poured money into efforts to kill it.

Just look at the four Democrats who voted against background checks. They come from North Dakota, Arkansas, Alaska and Montana — decidedly conservative states. And these Democrats, along with the congressional Republicans who voted against the bill, are up for re-election in 2014. These senators have constituents and a gun lobby to appease, which far outweighs the more than 80 percent of Americans who support expanding reasonable background checks for gun shows and Internet sales.

President Barack Obama reacted to the defeat by declaring the debate unfinished. “I see this as just round one,” he said. When the issue will return to the table is difficult to predict. What seems obvious is that no public shooting, regardless of how horrifying it is, will induce a change of mentality among gun fanatics. Should the public opinion on the gun issue be remembered in the next midterm elections, perhaps there will be a good opportunity for round two.

Finally, national catastrophes like the recent Boston marathon bombings can do more than bring Americans together — they should act as catalysts for change. Public outrage should be used as a tool for Congress to make progress, but our representatives have failed to take advantage of this. Now, with the sense of immediate urgency gone for the moment and the political conversation turning toward immigration, an overhaul in gun control policy seems to be slipping away once again.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, April 22 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].

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  • A

    AsianMay 1, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    The editorial board seems REALLY liberal on these issues…

    Reply
  • M

    Mitsonga the LemurApr 22, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    It didn’t start out reasonable. If we just wanted reasonable control then why did we attempt to ban the guns used the least in gun violence? That is not reasonable at all. The left attacked. that’s all you have to say. Why is anyone surprised that gun owners came together and fought this? You blame a right described as a natural right in our Bill of Rights for all problems. You push laws that are anything but reasonable to an educated gun owner. The left misinforms the public, and the media has clearly picked it side. The left awoke a sleeping giant with unreasonable restrictions at the get go, and then as they actually scaled back, to something that might have been reasonable, you had upset so many that the left lost it’s credibility. The left shoot itself in the foot. Now we have a country more divided, and distrusting than ever. All because the left pushed a decades long agenda unrelated to the vast majority of gun violence.

    Reply
  • B

    BillCApr 22, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Reasonable background checks are already the law. Making states submit names of the mentally ill to the instant background check system is what everyone wanted.
    But, instead of putting up that simply measure, we had gun bans, mag bans, registration, licensing, ammo tax, forced insurance etc. Basically, Obama and his lefty pals wanted to make it impossible for the average citizen to own a gun. There was nothing reasonable about these bills.
    As for the elections, I agree, let them decide. Remember 1994? Get ready to repeat it! You folks on the left forget about all the laborers and middle class people who normally vote democrat, that is until you try to ban our guns. I won’t be voting democrat again any time soon and I’m not an NRA guy.

    Reply
  • E

    Eric CunninghamApr 22, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    “Finally, national catastrophes like the recent Boston marathon bombings can do more than bring Americans together — they should act as catalysts for change.”
    Yes – a catalyst for the American people to do great things – not to abdicate responsibility and ask our government to protect us from ourselves. We need to come together, celibrate freedom, and show the world that the American people refuses to give up our freedoms due to terror and that we are a better country BECAUSE we are free. That we REFUSE to change who we are.
    It wasn’t money that got the votes of Senators, it was the millions of phone calls they got from their constituents opposed to the bill.

    Reply
  • G

    gunnut1970Apr 22, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    It’s pretty obvious the Boston bombings, if anything, have strengthened the NRA and conservative position that citizens need to be able to protect themselves with lethal force using the best semiautomatic weapons available. I don’t see how the bombings help the other side in any way. But feel free to be in denial about this as long as you wish.

    Reply