We must do more than pray to ebb gun violenceSFlb

By Yael T. ABOUHALKAH

The Kansas City Star (TNS)

God didn’t prevent a madman from killing 49 people Sunday morning at an Orlando nightclub.

God hasn’t stopped the National Rifle Association or the U.S. gun industry from making money off Americans’ senseless desire to own many guns. And gun stocks were higher on Monday and Tuesday, another sad indication of the nation’s addiction to firearms.

And God can’t pass laws to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community from harassment, even death, at the hands of biased Americans.

It’s fine and expected to pray for the victims of the Orlando massacre – something that politicians of both parties have been glibly urging this week.

But this country would be a lot better off in the long term if something else occurred.

TAKE CONCRETE ACTIONS

Americans who believe in the power of prayer and religion to improve this nation need to use their God-given brains to start acting.

Kill all the anti-LGBT laws that North Carolina and Kansas and other states have passed or contemplated in recent months.

Wonder why the hatred of the gay community is so strong?

Because politicians – often despicably hiding behind God and religion – have stoked this unnecessary attack on other Americans for months with “bathroom bills” that are nothing but unvarnished discrimination.

Take on such groups as the National Rifle Association and the bloody gun industry in Congress.

OUTLAW ASSAULT WEAPONS

Start with the simple, and yes controversial, step of outlawing the production of all military-style weapons in the future.

Ban the making of all ammunition for these guns.

It would be a baby step toward what is really needed: a long-term discussion on overturning the misuse of the Second Amendment to allow Americans to carry weapons almost anywhere they want, and now often without training or permits.

Elect different politicians who aren’t bigoted against gay people, realize the importance of gun control and are committed to a better future for this nation that isn’t built on hatred or fear of so many people.

Donald Trump is getting the most attention for his evil and inflammatory language on the Orlando issue. But he’s just the tip of the lunacy that gets attached to horrific events like that mass shooting.

Look at the legislatures of Kansas and Missouri, where state bills were either passed or came close to passing that attacked the LGBT community.

KOW-TOWING TO NRA

Both states have kowtowed to the NRA and gun industry in passing laws that make firearms more accessible to people who aren’t qualified to carry them.

Gov. Jay Nixon is deciding whether to veto two laws on the subject right now. One would allow any law-abiding adult who can legally posses a firearm to carry a firearm concealed on their person, without having to obtain any additional permit.

Putting more thoughtful people in office when it comes to these and other issues would bolster the long-term health of both states and this nation.

Yael T. Abouhalkah is a columnist for the Kansas City Star. Readers who wish to contact him may email him at abouhalkahkcstar.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.