Gun control is killing us: Opposing view

Our hearts go out to the victims and the families of the Umpqua Community College shooting. Last week’s events were very tragic, and all Americans are mourning with the residents of Oregon.

But most Americans find it very offensive to hear the president use a tragedy like this and instantly turn it into a political opportunity.

The White House is calling for “common sense” gun control, which is insane, given that the criminally minded don’t obey the law.

GOA Responds to the President on the Oregon Shooting
-- Top Ten misstatements made by Obama

On October 1, 2015, the nation witnessed another tragic shooting -- this one at the Umpqua Community College in Oregon.

The President shortly took to a national platform to address the killings.

This should have been an opportunity for the President to unite a grieving nation. But instead, he chose to foment division. He even bragged that it was right for him to politicize this tragedy.

GOA Responds to Oregon Shooting

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” said GOA Director of Communications Erich Pratt. “This is a very tragic day, and all Americans are mourning with the residents of Oregon.

“But we find it offensive to hear the White House use a tragedy like this, and instantly turn it into a political opportunity. The President spoke to the nation today, saying it’s proper for him to politicize this tragedy. He called for more ‘common sense’ gun control, which is insane, given that the criminally-minded don't obey the law,” Pratt said.

“It cannot be this easy for somebody who wants to inflict harm on other people to get his or her hands on a gun,” the President said. He then rattled off a list of gun free zones where shooters had inflicted damage, including Columbine, Blacksburg, Newtown, Aurora and Charleston.

Gun Groups Enraged at Obama's Rant After Oregon Shooting

Gun rights groups Thursday slammed President Barack Obama for using the Oregon community college shooting to push for more gun control, with Dave Dalton of the American Gun Owners Alliance telling Newsmax that "I literally screamed at the TV set" as the president spoke.

Dalton said he was particularly incensed at Obama's remark that " 'it's just too easy to get a gun' without having any knowledge of the facts.

"They don't have any facts about the situation," he added. "How the person got the gun? What the person's mental capabilities were? Were they unstable? It's always, 'It's too easy to get a gun.'"

"How is it too easy to get a gun?" Dalton asked. "What more would they like besides an FBI background check? Is it mental records? Possibly.

"Nothing short of thought-policing is going to stop these kind of people."
At least 13 people and as many as 20 others were killed in the shootings at Umpqua Community College, about 180 miles south of Portland, which began shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said the gunman was slain in an exchange of gunfire with police officers in a campus building.

At the White House, Obama said that the shootings further illustrated the need for more gun control.

"As I said just a few months ago, and I said just a few months before that, and I said each time we see one of these mass shootings, our thoughts and prayers are not enough. It's not enough."

Erich Pratt of the Gun Owners of America attacked Obama for "instantly" turning the tragedy into "a political opportunity." Based in Springfield, Va., the group has a million members.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their families," Pratt told Newsmax. "This is a very tragic day, and all Americans are mourning with the residents of Oregon.

"But we find it offensive to hear the White House use a tragedy like this, and instantly turn it into a political opportunity," he added. "The White House is calling for 'common-sense' gun control, which is insane, given that the criminally-minded don't obey the law."

Gun Owners of America: Time For All Establishment Office Holders To Follow John Boehner's Lead

Over the weekend, Breitbart News sat down with Gun Owners of America’s (GOA’s) Larry Pratt to ask his opinion on House Speaker Rep. John Boehner’s (R-OH-8th) plans to resign, and Pratt said he was thrilled with the news. He said he also hopes Boehner is not alone among Republicans when he packs his bags to leave the Capitol for good.

On September 15, Breitbart News reported that Gun Owners of America was supporting Rep. Mark Meadows’s efforts to oust Boehner.

At that time, the GOA said:

As long as John Boehner is Speaker, your gun rights are in danger. After all, remember in spring of 2013, when the pro-gun community was engulfed in the “battle of the century” over the Bloomberg/Obama gun control agenda? John Boehner could have nipped gun control in the bud by pronouncing that gun control would be “dead on arrival” in the House. Instead, he said that the “House will consider” any gun control proposals sent over by the Senate.

Elderly Man Grabs Rifle, Confronts Alleged Home Invader

On September 22, an elderly man in Carter County, Kentucky, grabbed his rifle and confronted an alleged home invader who was going through drawers, looking for valuables in an unused room of the house.

Elderly Man Shoots Alleged Home Invader Who Ignored his Warnings 

On September 22 at around 10:20 a.m., an alleged home invader ignored the warnings of an elderly Phoenix homeowner and was shot. First responders later found him in critical condition.

Alleged Home Invader Picks Wrong House, Is Shot ‘Multiple Times’ by Elderly Resident

On September 21 an alleged home invader entered an Indianapolis home and pointed a gun at the head of an elderly woman only to be shot “multiple times” by her husband.

Alleged Bank Robber Points Gun At Elderly Customer, Gets Shot

On September 21, an alleged bank robber in Warren, Michigan, pointed his gun at an elderly customer, who pulled his own gun and shot the suspect in both arms and one leg. The alleged robber then “staggered” out of the bank and collapsed.

Bank Robber Shot By Concealed Carrying Customer In Michigan

A quick thinking customer is credited with thwarting an armed bank robbery at a Citizens Bank on Monday.