Time To Talk About Mental Illness, But Not Guns?

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PARKLAND, FL - FEBRUARY 14: People are brought out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a shooting at the school that reportedly killed and injured multiple people on February 14, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Numerous law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Politicians are already changing the subject.  And, it started at the top.  There will be no talk of guns when there is the remote possibility of something or someone else to blame.  For Donald Trump, it was mental illness.  Here’s what Trump tweeted this morning:

Yes, folks, he is blaming neighbors and even fellow students, but NOT guns.

As for mental illness, it was Trump himself who has made it easier for the mentally ill to buy guns. As NBC reported almost exactly a year ago the President signed a bill revoking Obama-Era Gun Checks for People With Mental Illnesses.

Trump isn’t the only one dodging the gun issue. Florida Governor Rick Scott gave the line we’ve heard time and again that there’s a time to talk about guns and that time is not now.

Chris Cuomo of CNN says he invited Florida Governor Rick Scott and Florida Senator Marco Rubio to appear to discuss the incident and how to prevent them from happening again. He says they refused but the two politicians did appear on Fox News this morning.

If you really want to know why the politicians suddenly grew quiet, just take a look at this piece from Quartz.   The NRA spends millions to keep the status quo.  And to further their agenda.

“The National Rifle Association and its affiliates spent over $50 million in political advertisements in the last US general election, boosting Republicans who promised to support the NRA and targeting Democrats who propose stricter gun laws.”

It’s tough to fight back against that kind of money.  But you can make your voice heard.   Call your lawmakers, vote, protest, do what you can because you know it’s going to happen again.