Letter To The Editor: GOP Complicit In Past, Future Gun Deaths

To the Editor,

In 1898, the renowned French author Émile Zola published his famous letter, “J’accuse,” taking the French Army and the French government to task for the wrongful conviction for treason of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus in what became known as the infamous Dreyfus Affair.

Today, I again say, J’accuse — I accuse! In the wake of the latest tragedy at the high school in Santa Fe, TX, and in Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, and innumerable other cities and towns across our country, I accuse!

I accuse the National Rifle Association of putting the profits of gun manufacturers above the lives of schoolchildren. I accuse the NRA of purchasing Senators and Representatives and local legislators to stifle even the most modest gun safety regulations. I accuse the NRA of threatening these lawmakers with well-funded primary opponents if they dare to stray just one step from NRA orthodoxy.

I accuse President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Paul Ryan of standing silently by while our children are slaughtered and offering no more than “thoughts and prayers” when they know full well that it is within their power to take action to prevent such calamities in the future.

I accuse our State Senator Terrence Murphy of callous disregard for the lives of New Yorkers as he tries to dismantle New York’s SAFE act, a thoughtful approach to gun safety. I accuse Mr. Murphy of refusing to even consider other common sense regulations designed to protect our citizens, while he tries to sell us “Guardians for Schools” license plates.

I accuse our neighboring Congressman John Faso of refusing to support gun safety. I accuse Mr. Faso of supporting the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act that would allow anyone with a concealed gun carry permit from any state to bring a loaded firearm to any city, town, or village in New York, even if it violates the laws of our own state.

I accuse the Republican Party of unfeeling indifference to the untimely deaths of our children and of thwarting every attempt at reasonable gun safety on the national, state, and local level.

Through their inaction, I accuse them all of complicity in every one of the past massacres of innocent children and adults and in the deaths of all of those who will be mercilessly slain in the future.

How much is enough? What will it take to finally convince these people that we will no longer tolerate these indiscriminate murders?

We do not have to stand for this any longer. November is not far off, and with your votes, you can remove from office those cowards who refuse to act to protect you and your children. And it’s not just local candidates. With your contributions you can support candidates in other areas who will stand up to the NRA and bring a rational solution to the monstrous problem of gun violence in the United States.

Sincerely.

Joel E. Gingold