Saturday, September 23, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Special Pages
    • Pets
    • Tech
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • On the Road
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Cravings
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Special Pages
    • Pets
    • Tech
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • On the Road
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Cravings
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News World News

Don’t blame the gun: NRA supporters react to Uvalde massacre

AFPbyAFP
May 28, 2022, 9:43 am
in World News
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

Keith Jehlen says the shooting at a Texas elementary school makes him “sick,” but that “you can’t blame the gun” used to murder 19 small children and two teachers.

“We’ve always had guns in this country,” the 68-year-old retired US Postal Service worker said, noting that he personally owns more than 50 firearms.

Jehlen was standing in line to see former president Donald Trump speak at a National Rifle Association convention that is controversially being held just hours from Uvalde, the town where the school massacre took place earlier in the week.

Reflecting on the shooting, he grimaced and said: “It made me sick to my stomach.”

But guns are not the problem, said Jehlen, who was dressed in camouflage shorts and a Trump hat. He argued that the disaster may well have unfolded differently if people at the school were armed.

“Killers aren’t afraid of the judge, they’re not afraid of the police,” he said. “They should be afraid of the victim they’re going after.”

The NRA event — which lasts through Sunday — is being held in a vast downtown convention center with anti-gun protesters gathering outside.

“Blood is on your hands,” one protester’s sign said. “Guns = death,” read another.

Trump drew loud applause from the crowd when he addressed the convention later in the day. He somberly read out the names of the Uvalde shooting victims, and urged Americans regardless of political affiliation to “find common ground.”

But he nevertheless turned political, blasting “repulsive” Democrats for villainizing “peaceful, law-abiding” NRA members who own guns.

– ‘This is not Australia’ –

In booth after booth in the cavernous convention hall, hundreds of firearms — all made inert with their firing pins removed — were on display, from small handguns to AR-15s, the ubiquitous semi-automatic weapon used by the gunman in Uvalde.

Tactical gear, hunting equipment and clothing shared space with gun accessories including high-power scopes, suppressors and 60-round magazines.

Retired law enforcement officer Rick Gammon eyed a wall of black semi-automatic rifles at the convention, saying any efforts to take firearms from Americans were doomed to fail. 

“You’ll never take people’s guns away. This is not Australia,” 51-year-old Gammon said as he looked at the Hellion rifles — a compact bullpup design that he noted would fit well behind his driver’s seat or in his gun safe at home.

After the April 1996 Port Arthur massacre of 35 people, Australia enacted tougher new gun laws that included a general ban on the use of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and pump-action shotguns except for specific purposes.

America — plagued by far more frequent gun violence, but with the right to bear arms enshrined in the Constitution — has repeatedly failed to take action after mass shootings.

“I’d love to see universal background checks,” said Gammon, referring to a long-sought reform that has majority support in the United States. “But it’s not going to stop someone hell-bent on crime.”

– ‘Villainizing a tool’ –

The convention is not just a gathering of gun enthusiasts, but also a place where they can test the “feel” of weapons they are considering buying.

“Oh I like this,” Lisy V, 31, told a gun manufacturer representative as she tested the weight and balance of a 9-millimeter pistol.

“You put it in purple too, and that got my attention,” added the military veteran, who is in the market for a new pistol that she can conceal in a holster under her skirt, because “it’s too hot for pants in Texas.”

But she turned contemplative when asked about Uvalde.

“Personally I feel like there should be more gun education,” she said, but with 18-year-olds able to join the military, the veteran believes they should be able to buy assault rifles as well.

“They can enlist, right? If they can enlist, they can shoot a weapon,” she said.

Jim Maynard, a gun owner and industry advocate, said that while there is “a lot of uncertainty” in America today, and people are grieving, he agreed with the decision to not postpone the NRA convention.

“Villainizing a tool doesn’t address the problem that we’re having,” he said.

People blaming guns for America’s violence crisis was just “hype,” and they should focus more on expanding mental health programs.

“The protest outside does zero for preventing the next shooting from happening — and it’s not going to stop a person from committing violence,” Maynard added.

Tags: 19 studentsMurderNRA supportersTexasUvalde massacre
ADVERTISEMENT
AFP

AFP

Related Posts

Kamala Harris tasked with new role fighting US gun violence

byAFP
September 23, 2023, 12:00 pm
0
8
Kamala Harris leads high-level US team to meet new UAE leader

US Vice President Kamala Harris took on a new role Friday fighting gun violence, a job likely to give her...

Read more

Accused of rape, Russell Brand speaks of ‘distressing’ week

byAFP
September 23, 2023, 10:00 am
0
8
Accused of rape, Russell Brand speaks of ‘distressing’ week

British comedian and actor Russell Brand on Friday spoke of an "extraordinary and distressing week" in his first public comments...

Read more

Hopes rise for end to Hollywood writers’ strike as talks extend

byAFP
September 23, 2023, 9:00 am
0
8
Hopes rise for end to Hollywood writers’ strike as talks extend

Hollywood writers and studios met for a third consecutive day of high-level talks Friday, raising the industry's hopes that an...

Read more

Pope Francis urges Europe to save migrants at sea

byAFP
September 23, 2023, 8:00 am
0
8
Pope Francis urges Europe to save migrants at sea

Pope Francis on Friday said European governments have a duty to rescue asylum-seekers who take to sea to escape conflict,...

Read more

Zelensky wins Biden support but faces skeptics

byManila Standard
September 22, 2023, 7:10 pm
0
8
King Charles’ France trip closing with climate focus

WAshington, DC—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington Thursday (Friday in Manila) to appeal for help fighting Russia, winning warm words...

Read more

Abbas to UN: No Mideast peace sans Palestinians’ rights

byAFP
September 22, 2023, 7:05 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

United Nations, New York—Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said Thursday (Friday in Manila) there could be no peace in the Middle...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • First Zambales hybrid workspace opens
  • Angeles products go to Japan
  • Didal confident of retaining Asiad skateboarding gold medal
  • Medical mission continues in General Trias
  • Tokyo silver medalist Petecio draws top-seeded Chinese in 1st assignment
  • Taekwondo’s Perez, Ninola eye PH’s first medals in Asian Games
  • Cavite’s Bear Museum stirs happy thoughts
  • NU opens Shakey’s Super League campaign with win

Advertisement

Latest News

Taekwondo’s Perez, Ninola eye PH’s first medals in Asian Games

byManila Standard Sports
September 23, 2023, 7:51 pm
0
8
PSC hosts sendoff for 500-plus athletes bound for Hangzhou

HANGZHOU—If fortunate enough, taekwondo could be the first team from Team Philippine to deliver a medal in the 19th Asian...

Read more

Cavite’s Bear Museum stirs happy thoughts

byOthel V. Campos
September 23, 2023, 7:50 pm
0
8
Philippines’ top truck brand beefs up presence in Cavite

There’s no other place in the Philippines to experience larger-than-life teddy bears than in the first and only Bear Museum...

Read more

NU opens Shakey’s Super League campaign with win

byManila Standard Sports
September 23, 2023, 7:49 pm
0
8
NU opens Shakey’s Super League campaign with win

NU's Ara Ella Panique smashes one in. ROMAN PROSPERO National University jumpstarted its title defense bid in flying colors, drubbing...

Read more

Healthcare company recognized for patient-centered and employee development programs

byManila Standard
September 23, 2023, 7:40 pm
0
8
Philippines’ top truck brand beefs up presence in Cavite

Takeda Philippines Healthcare, In. (Takeda), a leading pharmaceutical company committed to create better health for people and a brighter future...

Read more

Wellness retail brand commits to annual coastal clean-up

byManila Standard
September 23, 2023, 7:30 pm
0
8
Philippines’ top truck brand beefs up presence in Cavite

Watsons Philippines, the leading brand in health, wellness, and beauty retail, partnered with the SM Group for the International Coastal...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
    • Young Life
  • Pets
  • Tech
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Cravings
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Agriculture
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App