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So the majority party in Congress again says its too soon to consider gun control legislation. That’s just another way of saying it’s not going to happen. However, an overwhelming majority of citizens say otherwise, so let’ get started.

First, the Supreme Court must reconsider the right to bear arms decisions. The Second Amendment of the Constitution states; “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.” In those decisions, the Supreme Courts have conveniently forgotten that well regulated Militia is conditional upon a well regulated Militia. Since the United States has no Militia, that right does not exist. To prevent further confusion, perhaps the Second Amendment should be repealed.

Then the Supreme Court will have to consider how to handle the commercialism of violence. Since the shouting of “Fire” in a theater does not violate the First Amendment, what about video games that allow the player to shoot another in virtual reality, leaving impressionable youth with the feeling that it is okay to kill? And if violent video games are outlawed, what about violent movies and newsreels?

The gun lobby has convinced many of us that we need guns for self-protection. Not only has this made more guns available tor burglars, but also more people are killed to settle domestic arguments when a gun is handy, by accident, and by children playing with the guns.

Unfortunately, the gun lobby has heavily financed the elections of the president and the majority party, who dutifully follow the wishes of their benefactors. And that’s not going to change until outlawing gerrymandering by the parties in power reforms the establishing of Congressional districts.

And that’s not going to change unless enough Democrats are elected to win effective control of the Senate, hopefully in 2018.

Will you help in stopping gun violence?

JOSEPH HENRY WYTHE

Sandpoint