Politics

Do calls for gun control deflect attention from deeper problems?

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Alan Gottlieb

It didn’t take gun control long to raise its head in the wake of the deadly sniper attack in Dallas Thursday night, with both President Barack Obama and the Black Congressional Caucus both pushing a political agenda.

Do these calls deflect public attention from deeper troubles in America?

According to one of the nation’s top gun rights leaders, maybe so. Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation and chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, “If this was some sort of hate crime, that hatred was unleashed against all Americans. We know there are deep divisions in America today. Murder is not the way to solve that, and neither is political exploitation.”

In remarks earlier today in Poland, Obama called on all Americans to pray for the officers and their families. He also said there is “no justification for these kinds of attacks, or any violence against law enforcement.”

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But then he injected a remark about guns: “We also know that when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic, and in the days ahead we’re going to have to consider those realities as well.”

As reported by CBS News, “Black lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding that GOP leaders green-light legislation that would prevent gun violence in the wake of shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas.

“We need legislative action now,” Rep. G.K. Butterfield, (D-North Carolina), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Friday, according to CBS.

But Gottlieb fired back: “There can be no justification for this cowardly act, but we are confident there will be justice. At the same time, we abhor any attempt to exploit this hateful crime, which appeared to target police, to press a political agenda that would penalize millions of law-abiding American citizens.

“Make no mistake,” Gottlieb added. “The person or persons who did this bear the sole responsibility. We are confident that authorities in Texas will bring the full force of existing law against anyone who was involved in this terrible attack.”

On behalf of both SAF and CCRKBA, Gottlieb said, “The horrific events last night in Dallas should remind us all of the great sacrifices of our law enforcement professionals and their families. We mourn along with all Americans over the senselessness of Thursday night’s mayhem.”

According to Dallas Police Chief David Brown, the man killed by police following a lengthy standoff said he was “upset at white people. He said he wanted to kill white people, especially white police officers.”

Related:

Poll: 65% believe U.S. on wrong track as June background checks surge

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