By Allan Wall
07/27/2012
On NBC Latino, Raul Reyes, attorney and USA Today contributor who previously applauded the "Dream Amnesty" (see here) makes a Latino case for gun control:
While our political leaders worry about getting on the wrong side of gun control debate, Latinos are very progressive on the issue. An April report by the Pew Center found that Latinos are more likely to favor strict gun control laws that [sic] either whites or African-Americans. Similarly, a 2011 poll done by the bipartisan Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition found that 86 percent of Hispanic voters support requiring background checks on all gun sales. Sixty-nine percent believe the laws governing the sale of guns should be stronger. Perhaps in the future, as our numbers continue to grow, Hispanics will demand laws to limit the possibility of senseless gun violence.
Yes, the Second Amendment guarantees all Americans the right to have and bear arms. But let’s take a look at its actual words: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The key words here are “well regulated.” Our founding fathers clearly recognized that there might be a need for regulation of citizens and their firearms.
A good starting point would be to revive the ban on assault weapons. No one needs a semi-automatic for hunting, self-defense, or to protect their [sic] home. These are weapons designed for war. They are the weapons of choice for drug cartels and traffickers throughout Latin America, and they come from the U.S. If Holmes had not had an AR-15 assault rifle, surely we would not have seen so many casualties in Aurora.
Right now, Americans must call upon Congress and our candidates to fully discuss gun control. A national conversation about the role of guns in our society is overdue. If we don’t have it now, we are doomed to slip back into the cycle of tragedy, shock, grief, and moving on. And that would be the most pointless, senseless outcome of all.
Opinion: Latinos May Lead the Way to Gun Control in the Future Raul A. Reyes, NBC Latino, July 22nd, 2012
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