Protect Our Rights: Address Mental Health, Improve Gun Safety, and Secure Schools No to Assault Weapon Bans

In light of the increasing number of mass shootings, the conversation around banning assault weapons has gained momentum. However, focusing solely on banning AR-15s and other assault weapons does not address the real issues at play. What we need is a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of gun violence, primarily mental health, responsible gun ownership, and better security for vulnerable places like schools.

The Second Amendment guarantees every American the right to bear arms, a crucial safeguard for our freedom and protection. This right extends beyond hunting rifles and should include semi-automatic and fully automatic weapons. Criminals will continue to find ways to obtain guns illegally, regardless of bans. Our focus must be on strengthening our communities, addressing mental health issues, and implementing smart regulations that ensure responsible gun ownership.

We call for decisive action in the following areas:

1. Improve Mental Health Care and Support
A significant proportion of mass shootings are linked to untreated mental health issues. Yet, in our current system, mental health care remains underfunded and inaccessible for many. We need:

Better funding and access to mental health services: More clinics, therapists, and community outreach programs are essential to identifying and treating those struggling with mental illness.
Mandatory mental health screenings for gun purchases: It is critical that anyone attempting to purchase a firearm undergo a thorough mental health evaluation, ensuring that dangerous individuals are flagged before they can access weapons.
Early intervention programs in schools and communities: Schools and local communities should be equipped with professionals trained to spot the early signs of mental health problems, especially in youth. This could prevent tragedies before they occur.
2. Enforce Responsible Gun Ownership
Gun ownership is a constitutional right, but it must come with responsibility. We need to ensure guns are stored securely and used responsibly, particularly in homes with children:

Secure storage of firearms: No child or teenager should have unsupervised access to firearms. Gun safes, trigger locks, and other safety measures must be mandatory for any household with minors. Irresponsible gun storage is a leading factor in accidental shootings and could be prevented with common-sense regulation.
Parental supervision: If young people are to learn how to responsibly use firearms, they must do so under the close supervision of a parent or guardian. Allowing children to have unsupervised access to guns puts them and others at risk.
3. Stronger Background Checks
Preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands is essential to reducing gun violence. Rather than banning certain types of weapons, we should strengthen the systems that vet gun owners:

Expanded background checks: Universal background checks should be enforced for all gun purchases, including private sales and gun shows. This will help close loopholes and ensure that individuals with violent criminal histories, domestic abusers, or severe mental illness are unable to acquire guns.
4. Increase School Security Measures
Our children deserve to feel safe in their schools. Yet time and again, we see schools left vulnerable to attacks. We must take concrete steps to secure these environments:

Metal detectors in every school: Just as we protect airports, government buildings, and courthouses, we need to protect our schools with security measures like metal detectors. Schools should not be the soft targets they have become.
Trained security guards: Every school should have trained security guards or police officers on-site, equipped to respond to any threats quickly and effectively. This is a simple, practical measure that could deter potential attackers.
Active shooter drills and preparedness: Schools must be prepared for worst-case scenarios. This includes regular active shooter drills, better coordination with local law enforcement, and updated emergency plans.
5. Acknowledge That Banning Guns Won't Stop Criminals
History has shown that banning guns does not stop criminals from obtaining them illegally. In countries where guns have been banned, we’ve seen mass killings carried out with knives, bombs, and other weapons. A gun ban will not eliminate the danger but will disarm law-abiding citizens who have a constitutional right to protect themselves.

Instead of blanket bans, we should focus on keeping guns out of the hands of those who would misuse them while allowing responsible, law-abiding citizens to exercise their right to bear arms.

6. Defend the Second Amendment and Expand Gun Rights
The Second Amendment was written to ensure that Americans have the means to defend themselves, not only from criminals but from the possibility of a tyrannical government. The right to bear arms extends to semi-automatic and fully automatic firearms. Limiting access to these weapons weakens our ability to protect our families, communities, and freedoms.

We must remember that the Founding Fathers recognized the importance of an armed populace as a check on power. Disarming citizens, even in the name of safety, creates a dangerous imbalance where only the government and criminals are fully armed.

7. Call for Action: Focus on Real Solutions
Gun violence is a tragedy, but banning assault weapons is not the answer. We need real solutions that address the root causes—mental health, responsible gun ownership, and stronger security measures. Together, we can protect our constitutional rights and make our communities safer.

Sign this petition if you believe in protecting the Second Amendment, supporting responsible gun ownership, and focusing on mental health to reduce gun violence.