The Other Side #64 compromise for the common good

It appears as though the President is willing to compromise for the common good. Ban bump stocks, expand background checks, and harden our school buildings. There comes a time when things get out of hand and we have to make some changes, and change comes hard. I remember when the Conservation Commission required hunter safety training, and at first, hunters were upset, but the NRA provided most of the gun safety teachers and the NRA membership embraced the idea that training equals safety, most everyone agrees that program has been a huge success. Those were the days when the NRA was all about gun safety and I was proud to be a member. I was old enough that I didn’t have to take the course, but I took it anyway. I also took it with three of my four children, and again with my Scout Troop a couple of times. What's the number one rule in gun safety? Always point a gun in a safe direction! You can’t take too much training. By the way, the classes were free, and the literature was provided by the Conservation Commission. When concealed carry passed here in the State, I took the training which was very similar to the hunter safety course, and paid the Sheriff for the background check and got the license. I thought we were on the right track, training and background check. But the legislature in it’s infinite stupidity, threw out the program and my hundred and fifty bucks and made it legal for anyone to carry. Two steps forward and one step back. Why would they do that? Here’s why; when you run for office, you need endorsements to get money and support, and to get them you fill out a bunch of questionnaires. I know this for a fact, as I have helped numerous candidates fill them out. On the gun lobby’s questionnaire, they ask if you are willing to sponsor pro-gun legislation. If you say no, you get no endorsement and no money. Every candidate that is endorsed by the NRA has agreed to file pro-gun legislation. So how do you file pro-gun legislation when it’s pretty much wide open? You make mistakes. What should have happened, was the conceled carry program should have been expanded to include all guns. Training and background checks makes sense, and would not violate the Second Amendment, but expansion of regulation would not be considered pro-gun, and that would cost a legislator the NRA endorsement, and a rural legislator wants the NRA, Right to Life, MSTA, and Farm Bureau endorsements and they all have similar requirements. So my hat goes off to President Trump for listening to the kids and parents, and for standing up to the NRA, now lets see if the rural legislators have the guts to put safety above money. 

By
Chuck Banks
8th CD Chair, MDP