There Have Been Two Campus Shootings Today in America (So Far)

Shooting number one happened here.

There have been two shootings on American college campuses today. (So far.) The first was this morning at Northern Arizona University. Three students were injured and one was killed. The most recent shooting just ended with the alleged perpetrator in custody at Texas Southern University. At least two people were shot at the latter shooting and the university was on lockdown for an extended period of time. President Obama is on his way to Oregon right now to meet with the families of victims of last week’s mass shooting. This is never going to end unless we do something.

But what should be done? Time magazine published an article by Stan Stumbo, a former Navy commander, explaining why he finally resigned his membership to the NRA in 2012. Stumbo cites the NRA’s opposition to even the most common-sense legislation as the reason why he quit. What does Stumbo believe should happen?

Shooting number two happened here.

I feel that four things can help prevent such tragedies in the future. Requiring background checks on the state and federal level is the sensible first step. In addition, there should be penalties for officials of city, state and county governments who fail to enter people’s names in the database when they’re judged to be mentally ill, or a danger to themselves or others, or have convictions that would make them no longer eligible to own firearms.

Another safety precaution would be to make sure that when a protection order is issued by a judge, that person’s guns are confiscated until the order is lifted. Finally, no one needs high-capacity magazines, firearms capable of holding more than 10 rounds, for target shooting, hunting for personal protection. Not only should they not be sold, but their possession should also be illegal.

These are ideas that make perfect sense. Polls suggest that the American people agree with these proposed policies. Who doesn’t agree with them? The NRA, and the members of Congress that the NRA has in its pockets. Those are the only people standing between us and a saner America. We need to act now, before multiple mass shootings a day becomes a reality in this country.