The shooting by two students at the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) high school in Highlands Ranch (a suburb of Denver) that left one student dead and eight others wounded, some seriously, predictably elicited calls for more gun control from a number of progressive Democrats. The fact that the school was located just seven miles away from Columbine High School, and that the shooting took place just three weeks after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, was just gravy on that red meat.
In their tweets and other public statements, the Democrats said nothing about the heroics of at least two students who attempted to thwart the attacks before law enforcement arrived. Nothing was mentioned about the prompt arrival of law enforcement (two minutes, thanks to a substation that was just a block away). Nothing was said about those officers heading directly into the line of fire, risking their lives and struggling with the shooters before subduing them. Nothing was said about how the two suspects were not on anyone’s radar prior to the attack. Nothing was said about the school being, under Colorado state law, a “gun free” zone, which allowed the shooters to get “deep inside” (the sheriff’s words) the school before they started picking off their fellow students one by one with their handguns. Nothing was said about the school lacking a “resource officer,” but instead relying on a private security firm’s officers to keep the students safe from harm.
Instead, the Democrats seeking the highest office in the land issued demands that innocent law-abiding gun owners who had nothing to do with Tuesday’s attack be punished instead.
The Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action led the way. Stated the chapter’s leader, Karin Arsensio,
Less than a month ago, just before the 20-year mark of the shooting at Columbine High School, 19 school districts across Colorado were closed after a credible threat.
Today, our fears were realized again when we heard of the shooting at STEM School. We shouldn’t have to live like this. Our children shouldn’t be scared to go to school, and we as parents shouldn’t be scared to drop them off each day. We must do more to prevent gun violence in our schools and communities.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was right behind, asking rhetorically, “How many more of our children’s schools must be torn apart by gun violence until Congress does something? We need gun reform. Now.”
She was followed by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.): “My heart goes out to the victims and their families at the STEM School Highlands Ranch, just eight miles away from Columbine High School. This has to stop. We must pass federal laws to end gun violence.”
Behind her was Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who tweeted that the government had “more federal regulation over toy guns than real ones,” and then, in a separate tweet, said, “Another day, another school shooting. Every hour we wait more people are murdered — we have to pass comprehensive gun safety reform.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) echoed Booker: “Another school shooting. Another life cut far too short. Another family and community changed. Forever.”
“Mayor Pete” Buttigieg called for more “common sense gun reform” calling the STEM shooting part of a “mass epidemic”: “We have to solve the mass shooting epidemic. We — especially our students — should feel safe in our communities. I’m praying for the students and families from STEM School Highlands Ranch, and will not rest until we deliver common-sense gun reform.”
Not to be left behind, Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) also asked rhetorically just how many more children would have “to watch their classmates get shot before Congress and the White House act?”
California Representative Eric Swalwell e-mailed his sympathy and promise: “Today, our hearts go to Douglas County, CO and the victims of the shooting today. As I talk about the big and bold ideas on other issues, I promise that ending gun violence comes first.”
Priding themselves on being progressive, these Democrats took the reactionary and predictable position of chasing after the red meat thrown to them by the actions of two criminal shooters. The two were allowed to get “deep inside” their school without hindrance or resistance from armed first responders. Predictably, these reactionary Democratic politicians want to pin the blame on gun owners who weren’t present and had nothing to do with the murder and wounding of innocents on Tuesday by further restricting their constitutionally protected rights.
Photo: AP Images
An Ivy League graduate and former investment advisor, Bob is a regular contributor to The New American, writing primarily on economics and politics. He can be reached at [email protected].
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