Are You Pro-Life? They're Killing Babies!!!

One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Seven. Almost 32 a week for a year. One a day for four and a half years.That number equals the number of bullets purchased by the Uvalde, Texas Elementary School shooter.How does an 18 year old working at a fast food restaurant, who reportedly came from a poor family, purchase two AR-15s, so many bullets and body armor? One rifle he purchased cost $1,870 plus tax according to a story from the New York Times.Possibly through a buy now pay later program popularized by some gun manufacturers. Whatever the source of the money, why was it so easy to obtain a weapon of mass destruction? Gun control advocates will try again to pressure elected officials to do something. Politicians will offer thoughts and prayers and some will express their outrage and blame others for inaction. Clearly, the Republicans are almost universally opposed to any gun regulations, but many Democrats are unwilling to act unilaterally, i.e. getting rid of the filibuster and this dance continues, meanwhile, babies are dying.

Wait, this isn't in utero. We can't be bothered to care anymore, they're outside the womb now.They're on their own. If life begins at conception, when does it end? Does it end from lack of quality healthcare? Does it end from community violence? Does it end from poor education? How about a lack of good nutrition? Does it end from hopelessness? Does it end in or from tragedy, where those remaining can no longer cope? Like the husband of the teacher who was killed in Uvalde died of a heart attack shortly after or the Capitol Police officer who survived the January 6 insurrection and subsequently committed suicide after the trauma of the experience.

My body, my choice. My gun, my choice.There is a strange conundrum that freedom to bear arms is seen as sacrosanct but, a woman having autonomy of her body requires, in some cases, extreme control and restrictions, criminalizing people on the periphery of the decision to have an abortion. For those, who oppose abortions on moral grounds are they willing to love those who disagree with their position, or does it require a vitriolic response.There are those who will demonize women who find themselves in a difficult place and those who will walk beside them and offer friendship, kindness, compassion and resources to help the would-be mothers through the life affirming decision. At some point though, we must recognize it's not our body or our decision. We don't have to live with the consequences.

Guns though are a comfort to some. They feel powerful when they are in their possession. Just like any tool, they can be used positively or negatively. Self defense, hunting, and sport can be legitimate outlets for people to enjoy and feel safe.Some may fear that any restriction may lead to an outright ban of firearms, irrespective of the second amendment. Authoritarian regimes, want to take away your guns to oppress the people, therefore, we must oppose all gun control measures.

I believe these fears are unfounded for three reasons. First, the NRA and other gun lobby groups will fight to maintain gun rights and they fund politicians to maintain the status quo. Second, there are restrictions on almost all technology that can have mass casualty implications, such as driving. We all know of speed limits, air bags, various rules of the road like no texting while driving. When the actions of the few can have catastrophic consequences for the many some regulation is required.

Airline pilots, surgeons, nurses all must undergo rigorous training and we judge them by their performance, whether they are competent or not, because lives are on the line. Surely, we should have a process to attempt to weed out those are a danger to society before they get their hands on a weapon of mass destruction. The pain in those parents eyes, coupled with their desperation can be a clarion call to work for change or not, our body - America - our choice, but they're killing babies!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeGeEXRj55E