Action | Promulgation of new regulation banning concealed firearms in executive branch agency offices |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 10/21/2016 |
Excepting security or agency police whose carried firearms on the premises have been duly sanctioned, to resume privelege of the public's carrying firearms into executive branch agency offices is more than just a solution in vain search of a problem. It opens a pandora's box for tragic and perhaps even LETHAL episodes resulting from their discharge.
In the current political election cycle, we have seen entirely new frontiers in which some campaign spokesmen have actually advocated violence against people at rallies who are deemed to be disruptive. Passions are running high, beyond any earlier precedent. Should there be an actual shooting in this setting, the genie will be out of the bottle.
Supppose one or more people were to be fatally shot in these circumstances, Would it be so far-fetched for the NRA's prescription afterwards was that EVERYONE attending a public meeting needs to carry a firearm to the meeting, in order to be safe?! This is, after all, what they proclaimed after the mass shooting at a public school. If not only all the guards on school premises, BUT ALSO ALL THE EDUCATORS, were carrying firearms, then all would be safe?!!
Many of us rather think this is more a recipe for SHOOTING GALLERIES than serious safety proposals.
The purpose of a public executive branch agency building should be to deliberate public issues with public parcticipation, so that decisions can be made that reflect and weigh the different opinions offered, to help nourish the proceeding's outcome. Yes, it's true that not all participants will be satisfied when a final decision is made--but they will ALL have had the opportunity to participate in the process that led to the final outcome, rather much the way it happens for every individual who goes out and votes on Election Day.
Please think twice, and maybe then once again, before opening up government branch agency buildings to something we might all come to regret.