Editor ’ s Notes
The Price of Freedom by Fr . Richard Bayuk , c . pp . s ., Editor
The United States is flooded with guns . Perhaps over 300 million . We are free to stockpile firearms of almost any type . Reasonable steps to address the violence caused by guns are vigorously fought against by powerful lobbies for gun manufacturers . It ’ s the Second Amendment . One of our “ freedoms .” In fact , after the slaughter in Las Vegas one prominent talking head stated , “ This is the price of freedom .” Just 34 days later , 26 people were murdered in church in Texas . Again , the price of freedom . But I fear it has become the freedom to not give a darn . A few tweets about prayers for the victims and then on with life . Really caring about this would require a commitment to solve the problem . A very serious problem we have with gun violence . ( One definition of “ mass shooting ” is an event where at least four people are shot , and that happens every single day in our country .)
In the Kansas City Province ' s Corporate Stance Against Gun Violence we state : “ Present laws making it possible for uncontrolled and unlimited access to weapons and ammunition of any amount and any type to not foster a culture of life . Local , state and national legislators must pass reasonable laws which will curb the culture of violence tearing apart the fabric of our nation .”
A Quinnipiac poll in early November showed that by 95-4 %, Americans favor universal background checks . The highest percentage ever . It indicated broad support for other gun reforms too . This poll was taken right after the Texas church massacre . So far it has been mostly crickets in Washington , as always . At times , it feels like a lost cause to me . We have a crazed love affair with guns , and there are many who will absolutely resist even a conversation about measures that might — in their mind — restrict what they see as an unrestricted right to bear arms .
Last year , the Missouri Legislature passed a law ( overriding the veto of the governor ) that makes it legal for state residents to carry concealed weapons , in public , without a permit , criminal background check or firearms training . I guess things like permits , background checks , and training restrict our freedom . In my home state of Wisconsin , a law was passed recently that allows children of any age to hunt with a firearm while accompanied by an adult . ( However , you can ’ t operate a boat until age 12 , with adult supervision , and you need to be 15-and-a-half to get a driver ’ s permit .) The nra encouraged support of this bill without any amendments . continued on page 7
2 • The New Wine Press • December 2017