OP-ED: America is not Australia

Tom MacArthur
By Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-3)

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On February 14th, many of us observed Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and a time to reflect on the meaning and temporary nature of our lives. That day, a troubled individual who should not have been able to get a gun, took seventeen lives in a Florida school.

Since then, events have followed a familiar pattern. Some pinned blame on those who hold a different view on gun control, while others shrug their shoulders as if nothing can be done. I reject both of these responses as a shallow effort to absolve oneself of further responsibility and action. The system failed us in Parkland and we must not allow the system to fail us moving forward.

We need to have an honest and informed conversation about the root causes of growing violence in our society. On February 19, I held a meeting in Stafford Township with the Mayor, Police Chief, Police Captain, a Social Worker, and two constituents: One who is a local advocate for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and one who is a local NRA member and avid hunter. There was no finger-pointing or name calling. It was productive and refreshing during these hyper-partisan times. 

I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and I have received support from the NRA. I have been a recreational shooter for much of my adult life. Yet, I have advocated for tougher gun safety measures, like more funding for background checks and tight regulations on bump stocks. While not popular with some Second Amendment groups, I believe that background checks should cover every gun purchase. This is a reasonable change Congress can, and should make.

The shooter in this instance should not have been able to get a gun. Period. He did because the system failed. I am convinced that we need stronger, more uniform background checks. In addition to legislative action, I am calling on the Attorney General to issue guidance to States to bolster background checks across the country.  

In November 2017, the Attorney General directed the ATF and FBI to review reporting issues with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Those findings must be released and steps must be taken to close the gaps that exist.

We can’t have a conversation about gun violence without mentioning the atrocities that are occurring across our country with illegal weapons. We need to get illegal weapons off our streets with increased gun buyback programs and targeted, well-funded law enforcement efforts.

It turns my stomach to think that our schools are soft targets for these acts of terror, but they are. Congress must provide more funding and training resources to local school districts to enhance physical security in schools. We must consider federal grants to fund armed security in schools, as we have in airports and malls. Our schools are less secure than our banks. There’s something wrong with that.

Our teachers must be empowered. This can be done by launching a national pilot of the On P.O.I.N.T. program, which is seeing tremendous success in Stafford Township. This program partners law enforcement with social workers to help provide mental health services to individuals who need it. It is working in our district and it will work nationwide.

While I have seen too many wasteful studies in government, we need scientific research on gun violence. This is a worthy investment, and can be done by several federal agencies. Any study must consider the moral and spiritual decay in our society. Hollywood glorifies violence, the media makes its perpetrators famous, and the video gaming industry creates games where killing is a form of entertainment. I am not suggesting that we outlaw any of these things, but we need to confront the impact they have on children. I am willing to support such a study, which should include diverse perspectives.

America is not Australia – we are not going to do away with private gun ownership. But, to act as if nothing can be done is irresponsible. People of good will can make a difference and make our communities safer, and we must use this season to do so.

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U.S. Representative Tom MacArthur (R) has represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District since January 2015.

Tom MacArthur
About Tom MacArthur 10 Articles
Former U.S. Representative Tom MacArthur (R) represented New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District from January 2015 to January 2019.