Since a few days elapse between the time when I draw my cartoons and when they finally get published, there is a risk in drawing a cartoon criticizing inaction (compounded this week by needing to get this cartoon done a day earlier than usual). When it comes to Republican inaction on gun violence, however, the risk that the Congress will actually do something useful is pretty minimal.
This time, Republicans were stirred from their usual apathy. Moved by the slaughter of 17 children and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, the Florida legislature passed a bill to safeguard school students from the horrors of pornography. Elsewhere, Republican legislators responsible for an education system that makes teachers pay for everything from continuing education to classroom supplies out of their own pockets put forth measures to encourage those same teachers to enroll in sharpshooter training.
Bang, bang, ka-ching, ka-ching. Anything to sell more guns.
Here in Wisconsin, Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal on background checks for gun purchases. Assembly Majority Leader Robin Vos argued against doing anything rash, saying, "I am not going to have the same knee-jerk reaction Democrats do." After all, it has only been four years since the Marysville Pilchuck High School shootings, just over five years since the Sandy Hook massacre, and 19 years since the Columbine killings.
With something this important, one must take the time to give the issue careful thought. And prayers.
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