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