Judge turned Democratic candidate for U.S. House Tim Bjorkman wants to talk gun policy. Noting that gun violence since 1970 has killed more Americans than war since 1775, Bjorkman offers these seven policies as “first steps” toward reducing gun violence:
- A law mandating uniform background checks on all gun sales, with free service at sheriffs’ offices for private transfers and estate transfer exemptions; and improved sharing of information among reporting sources;
- Prohibiting any device, such as bump stocks, that converts a semi-automatic into an automatic weapon;
- Prohibiting individuals on the government’s terrorist watch list from buying firearms;
- Encouraging states to adopt red flag laws that allow a court to temporarily remove guns from a person who poses a danger to himself or others, with mandatory database reporting and removal upon clearance by a medical specialist;
- Promoting interventions like the Sandy Hook Promise that identify and reach out to at-risk individuals, including restorative justice and anti-bullying programs;
- Committing our nation to a War on Mental Illness and to ensuring every American has affordable health coverage to treat it; and
- Importantly, removing the ban on the CDC studying firearm violence [Tim Bjorkman, “Common Sense Gun Law Reforms,” campaign website, 2018.02.26].
A Republican nominee wanting to keep crying that Obama is coming to get your guns will only be able to apply that tired cry to one of Bjorkman’s seven planks… and even that plank only takes your guns temporarily, if you go off your nut, and gives your guns back with a measly doctor’s note.
Perhaps there were some secret backroom deals struck? Perhaps the tapes were damning and not to Mr. Johnson and the Legislative Council on Research wanted to protect Ms. DiSanto? Perhaps there was nothing to this all along?
That’s a good list of common sense proposals.
Speaking of his claim that since 1970 gun violence has killed more Americans than war since 1775, it might be appropriate to have a national gun violence memorial with names etched into granite. That would bring home the reality of gun violence, wouldn’t it? Just as Arlington National Cemetery was built on Robert E. Lee’s property, maybe the national gun rights monument ought to be built where the NRA’s national headquarters now sits. Use eminent domain, and pay the NRA a fair price of course.
While his Republican opponents spend all of their time bragging about being members of the NRA, it’s good to see that Democrat Bjorkman is taking a lead and a strong stand in favor of sensible gun control. Because it is positions like this one, that makes one proud to be a Democrat and proud to have a courageous Democrat running for Congress like Judge Bjorkman…
A national gun violence memorial wall—not a bad idea, Ror! NRA HQ is in Fairfax, VA, next to I-66. Easy access for visitors, half-hour from D.C….
In the meantime, perhaps we could just put up a noise-control wall (a silencer, if you will) along I-66 blocking view of the NRA building, with names etched in big letters visible from the NRA office… with a digital display on top updating names until we can pour more concrete each spring.
A wall is certainly a good idea but I don’t really believe it would have that much effect. I think that when the first responders are called to the next school shooting, they should all wear body cams and record the horrors they have to see. Then all elected legislators from state level to the oval office should be required, by physical force if necessary, to sit and watch a compilation of the total footage. Let them see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears what they are doing to our children.
I hope folks know how unusual it is for a candidate to run for office–particularly in our part of the country–and publicly say that he is unafraid of the NRA, that he’s not intimidated by them. Tim Bjorkman is unafraid to see what he thinks, and doesn’t run his answers through 40 mental filters before he gives them. I believe that’s what voters really want–even if they don’t always agree with what he has to say… at least they’ll know that what he says is what he actually thinks!
NRA has wingnuts in state of Georgia threatening Delta Airline’s fuel tax rebate if Delta doesn’t kiss NRA butt and give the members their discounts again.
I wonder how close to blackmail line this gets? It is waaaay past time for the people’s representatives to stand up for the people, not korporate amerika.
Bjorkman is such a good and solid, well reasoned candidate. He has shown that from the day he announced his candidacy. These are very reasoned, common sense steps to try to diminish the amount of gun violence.
Drey’s point is exactly right. Prior to 2016, holy cow, Dems avoided the “gun” topic like the plague when they were campaigning. Bjorkman isn’t afraid of that topic, not at all. I’m seeing national Dems also not avoiding the gun topic. That’s a good sign.
Good job, Judge B! Good job!
Now is the time to take a page from the conservative playbook: undercut the institutions of support for the opposition. Just as the conservatives have waged war against organized labor, the left now needs to render PACS like the NRA ineffective for being on the wrong side of history and making their association (and their money) toxic.