Assault weapons ban could have saved these 929 victims

In the following nine mass shootings, there were 974 shooting victims (264 killed & 706 wounded) to wit:

Las Vegas: Oct. 1, 2017. Orlando: June 12, 2016. Blacksburg, Va.: April 16, 2007. Newtown, Conn.: Dec. 14, 2012. Sutherland Springs, Texas: Nov. 5, 2017. Killeen, Texas: Oct. 16, 1991. San Sedro, Calif.: July 19, 1984. Edmond, Okla.: Aug. 20, 1986. San Bernardino, Calif.: Dec. 2, 2015.

If the shooter had not used an assault weapon, 929 of the victims probably would not have been killed or wounded.

I do not know how congressional members opposed to banning assault weapons can sleep at night. They prioritize reelection over the safety of U.S. citizens, which includes Rep. Vern Buchanan.

I was driving to Wakeland Elementary School to pick up grandchildren when I heard about the mass shooting at Sandy Hook, and I pulled off the road and wept. That should have been the catalyst to ban assault weapons.

I am not softhearted, but I know the purpose of certain weapons. I spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as a light weapons infantryman and surrendered my assault weapon on discharge.

When I hunted, I was an NRA member but never used an assault weapon to hunt, as clips are restricted to 5 rounds when hunting.

Those who argue that such a ban would violate the Second Amendment need to read Justice Scalia’s majority opinion in DC vs. Heller, where he made it clear such a ban would not.

This story was originally published November 10, 2017 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Assault weapons ban could have saved these 929 victims."