The Buffalo shooting is the realization of some of our greatest fears, racially motivated violence against Black people. Americans have gathered enough guns to arm every person in this country and have weaponry left over. The patchwork of state legislated gun legislation does nothing when people can gather enough ammunition, loaded with enough bullets to mow down innocent people. And that’s what happened at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo.
A self-avowed white supremacist drove to Buffalo, New York and reaped carnage on people in a grocery story. According to reports, the security guard a retired police officer, shot the assailant outfitted with protective gear. The gunman survives the exchange, shoots, and kills the security guard.
Again, there will be “thoughts and prayers” offered by those without the courage to provide even the most basic controls on guns, their “clip” capacity, even the ability to perform background checks. States with lax gun laws are simply feeders to the overall national challenge we have with firearms. A state-by-state patchwork of gun laws isn’t working.
When will we challenge the notion that the Second Amendment, “the right to bear arms” has been utilized to turn America into one large, disconnected militia? What constitutes enough?
According to the ATF,* by the end of 1996 approximately 242 million firearms were available for sale to or were possessed by civilians in the United States(27). That total includes roughly 72 million handguns (mostly pistols, revolvers, and derringers), 76 million rifles, and 64 million shotguns(28). By 2000, the number of firearms had increased to approximately 259 million: 92 million handguns, 92 million rifles, and 75 million shotguns(29). By 2007, the number of firearms had increased to approximately 294 million: 106 million handguns, 105 million rifles, and 83 million shotguns(30)….
By … 2009, the estimated total number of firearms available to civilians in the United States had increased to approximately 310 million: 114 million handguns, 110 million rifles, and 86 million shotguns(36). Per capita, the civilian gun stock has roughly doubled since 1968, from one gun per every two persons to one gun per person…
*ATF = U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
A church, now a grocery store, the escalation of hate groups targeting Black people instill a sense of fear. We’re not alone in the Black Community; Jewish, LGBTQ individuals have been targeted as reports of mainstreaming of these so-called “values” into the Republican Party continue to surface.
We must take on all hate, not just those who’ve found safe harbor within the Republican Party. This includes attacks on Asian individuals which has happened in New York City. It doesn’t matter who the perpetrator is, white extremists, or hateful individuals of color. Enough.
