This week, in continuing with my theme of delusions, I ran across a story published by Axios Seattle from April 23 on new gun control legislation, House Bill 1163.
In the article, state Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, said, “If this policy saves one life, it’s worth doing.”
After considering her comment, I had an epiphany (or a delusion, perhaps) where I identified as a liberal.
Once I did, it was easy to understand her logic — along with all the other Democrats who think like her. As I write, I’m still not sure if this has been signed by our governor, or what it means to people who already own guns, but as with any delusion, I get to imagine it has.
Before immersing myself in this delusion, I had reached out to a local Republican state lawmaker’s office via email a while ago and asked, but I never heard back. But, generally, I’m not surprised. At least I didn’t get the canned response that has nothing to do with my question, and I’m sure he’s busy.
In my delusion, I considered this proposed law, and decided I needed more information from the targets of this: criminals and miscreants. What I learned was fascinating. Can you believe that all the gangbangers I managed to speak with — as they were dealing drugs and were more concerned I was interfering in their commerce — didn’t seem to care?
Wow. That, I suppose, might surprise Rep. Berry and other delusional types like us.
How, I asked another burglar convicted several times who also has some gun crime convictions, will you ever get your hands on a gun with this law?
I couldn’t see his expression through the hamburglar-like mask he (here, I addressed him as a “he,” although I did not have permission and could be misgendering and apologize for that) wore, but he snorted and said, “I’m ripping off this house and got one right here.”
But … but … but, the law, I said.
“Not my problem,” he answered.
“It’s this guy’s,” he said, referring to the homeowner. “They only locked their doors, but the gun didn’t have a gun lock, wasn’t locked in a safe and embedded in cement to prevent theft, so it’s their fault.”
Ah. Now that makes perfect sense in my liberal delusion.
But that got the delusional me thinking. If saving a single life is the goal, there is so much work we need to do. Perhaps banning phones in cars is a good start. I know we have laws against playing with your phone while driving, but come on, we see it all the time.
Let’s save one life and just ban them from cars!
Oh, and cars. We’ve got to save one more life. We should ban cars too. Now, math isn’t my strong point, and some have accused me of suffering from dementia, but in this delusion, I don’t think I’m wrong. So, I believe we could save more than one life if we ban the automobile and, bonus, save the planet at the same time.
Now let's see. We’ve already banned murder, assault, robbery, burglary and a host of other crimes, so our work there is done.
But there must be more stuff we could ban that would save one life. I know, how about boats? Swimming? Crossing the street?
All of those kill people, too.
But then I smacked myself back to reality.
I really don’t identify as a liberal, and I can’t wrap myself around the thinking of those who are. But targeting law abiding gun owners isn't the answer and won’t do anything about the problem. Gun laws haven’t worked, but we do know what does — jail. Let’s enforce the laws we have already passed and stop making excuses for criminals. Shazam! Criminals understand that, but if they don’t, they can’t hurt anyone.
I know a lot of poor people who don’t commit crimes, but we all know of people who seem to always be in trouble but nothing happens to them. Yet the liberal response is almost always the same; those poor picked on criminals, they just need a hug. And the victims? Well, that's so yesterday-type thinking.
Since we have in large part stopped putting people in jail, and we’re making endless excuses for crime, things have only gotten worse. Unless and until legislators (mostly liberal Democrats) address criminals instead of law-abiding people, that won’t change.
So the taxes and fees these foolish liberals put on guns also won’t be paid for by those ignoring the law, just average folks who struggle to pay for all the other taxes and fees these selfish spenders can dream up, but in this case have a constitutional right.
In the meantime, Rep. Berry, you’ll never be able to prove it saved one life because it won’t do anything to curb gun crime.
What would?
Lock criminals up and stop making excuses for them.
And to the Republican state lawmaker who didn’t respond to my inquiry, I’d still like to know how this affects those who already own guns when you have a moment.
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John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.
