Dave Ross: The Founding Fathers may have screwed up if we can’t agree on gun control
Jun 21, 2016, 10:57 AM | Updated: 11:44 am
Four gun control measures and four failed votes have KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross wondering if Republicans and Democrats will ever come to an agreement on stricter gun control laws.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the right to bear arms is fundamental — constitutionally and legally equivalent to the right to vote and marry, CBS congressional correspondent Steven Portnoy pointed out on Seattle’s Morning News. Plus, you can’t stop someone from exercising a constitutional right without judicial oversight, he added.
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“If that’s true, why can’t you bring a gun on a plane?” Dave asked. “There’s got to be some modification to that because it’s fundamental, but apparently not in all situations or people would be packing on planes today.”
That’s true. The Supreme Court has said there can be additional restrictions on gun sales, Portnoy said. The problem comes down to political parties.
Republicans and Democrats agree that if someone is suspected of terrorism, they should not be able to buy guns, Portnoy explained. However, the parties differ on details. Republicans want some kind of judicial check in place if people are going to be denied their right to buy a gun; Democrats say if you’re on a watch list, you shouldn’t be allowed to because the government has already determined you’re potentially dangerous, he said.
The issue of gun control once again resurfaced after the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando that left 49 dead — plus the gunman. The recent resurgence of gun control legislation follows years of shootings and debates in the country.
With little headway in the gun control debate, Dave wonders about a compromise in the near future.
“It’s hard to say,” Portnoy admitted, after hearing the arguments against the failed amendments.
Dave says this isn’t necessarily the fault of today’s lawmakers.
“If we can’t compromise on this — when you have both sides saying something needs to be done — then the Founding Fathers really screwed up in designing our system,” he said.
A fifth amendment is expected to be introduced and voted on Tuesday.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.
