Wants discussion on gun control

My hat’s off to President Obama for taking on the gun lobby. What I can’t understand is the position taken by the leadership of the National Rifle Association. I recall a time when the NRA was all about firearm safety; now I believe they viciously strike out at any and every mention of the most logical steps to curb the unnecessary violence we witness daily.

The NRA is one of those organizations that one would naturally turn to for advice and guidance in these matters. After all, who knows more about guns and gun safety than NRA members?

But alas, I believe the membership is obviously not in charge and seems to have been cowed into silence. The big money and the scare tactics of the arms profiteers have taken full control and I suspect intimidate any member who would even attempt a discussion of this enormous and growing problem.

This is America after all, a place where our Constitution guarantees the right to own a firearm. That same Constitution also guarantees the safety of its citizens and the right of free and open discussion. I believe it is time for the NRA membership to stand up, take the lead and begin a productive discussion of citizen safety.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Wants discussion on gun control."