Youths, civilians and corporations make decisive move to end gun violence as Trump and GOP lawmakers dance around and do nothing — again

BRAVO President Donald Trump! That was quite a very moving televised meeting with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, as you spoke such powerful words that shocked the members of the Republican party and their best friends at the powerful and generous campaign contributors, the National Rifle Association (NRA).

“I’m a big fan of NRA (National Rifle Association) but I met with, had lunch with them… and said, ‘It’s time. We’ve got to stop this nonsense. It’s time,’” Trump said.

The president asked, “Doesn’t make sense I have to wait till I’m 21 to have a handgun but I can get a [assault] weapon at 18…You know why? Because you are afraid of the NRA.”

He even suggested taking guns from mentally ill people without regard to due process, pushing to arm teachers in schools, strengthening background checks, as he touts to be the president who can solve this problem after years of inaction from his predecessors.

HOWEVER, his friends from the NRA said that Trump don’t really want gun control, based on a tweet by Chris Cox — executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action — after meeting with the president on the same night of his televised meeting with lawmakers.

“I had a great meeting tonight with @realDonaldTrump & @VP. We all want safe schools, mental health reform and to keep guns away from dangerous people. POTUS & VPOTUS support the Second Amendment, support due process and don’t want gun control. #NRA #MAGA,” stated Cox.

NO objections from Trump, who tweeted what appears to be an endorsement of Cox’s tweet, stating, “Good (Great) meeting in the Oval Office tonight with the NRA!”, time stamped at 7:04 p.m. on Thursday, March 1.

Wait a minute. What is this dance with the NRA and the previous theatrics with the lawmakers just before this? Will the real Donald Trump please stand up and be counted on to solve the worsening problem of gun violence in America?

BUT as Trump dances to the tune of “Changing Partners” and as the Republicans in Congress yet again delay voting on any measure related to gun control, the the youth of America — led by the survivors of the Parkland, Florida shooting along with civilians all around the nation — have been protesting in the streets and calling for action in the communities, in Washington, on social media, and radio and television programs.

They were heard by an overwhelming majority of Americans who now support stricter gun control laws and regulations, including increasing the required age to purchase guns from 18 to 21, a ban on assault rifles and powerful magazines, a stronger implementation of background checks, more stringent rules to purchase and keep a gun, etc.

Trump’s proposed arming of teachers in school had also been widely rejected by most teachers, students, educators, gun safety advocates, law enforcers, and many more sectors of society.

Corporations have also heeded the call. Dick’s Sporting Goods moved to end sales of assault-style rifles in U.S. stores, while Walmart, LL Bean, Kroger raised minimum age for gun purchases to 21.

Other companies have also cut ties with the NRA by discontinuing discounts to NRA members, and by cutting ties with their suppliers who support the NRA — companies like REI, Delta, United Airlines, Best Western, Met Life, etc.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in Georgia sided with the NRA and threatened to punish the Atlanta-based Delta Airlines!

WHO DO YOU SUPPORT? Enough is enough? Then make a stand to end gun violence in America. Let your voices be heard in your community, on social media, and in the ballot. VOTE OUT politicians beholden to the NRA! They do not work for YOU and for AMERICA.

Gel Santos Relos

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com and www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

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