Twenty years ago, the US ban on assault weapons expired. Now we are tormented by gun violence

Author's Note: A friendship born more than 30 years ago was the inspiration for “Shani's Song,” my column about the 2007 mass shooting at Virginia Tech. First published when this tragedy occurred, this original column along with Shani's response is reprinted in my new book, Flaming Moderate (2024) can be found at flamingmoderatebook.com.

I was motivated to put my thoughts into writing recently as Nashville residents collectively mourned the one-year anniversary of the heartbreaking Covenant School shooting.

It reminded me of how I felt 17 years ago, when I had little more than a tangential connection to the mass shooting at Virginia Tech University.

Encouraged by my friend and former employee Shani McNamara, a Virginia Tech graduate who was writing to ask for prayers from her fellow Hokies, I wrote “Shani’s Song.” As I lamented the “Shanis” who had been murdered, I could only try to imagine the pain felt by the parents, grandparents, siblings, children and friends of the victims.

The future and expected joys of their lives were needlessly snatched away, not to mention the students who witnessed first-hand the murders of their classmates and educators. As Nashville grieved and a determined group of mothers Covenant et al. As we unsuccessfully pleaded with Tennessee lawmakers for additional gun control, another sad anniversary loomed: Columbine (like Uvalde and Parkland, one word now conjures up enough other similar events).

These senseless tragedies, affecting thousands of lives, continue to sweep the country, creating new waves of unimaginable and endless pain.

Contrary to popular belief, Tennessee enacted gun safety laws. Here is what happened.

Why we should now commemorate September 13

Two days that “live in infamy” in American history are the terrorist attack of September 11 and the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7.

Perhaps September 13 is a date that should join these two famous days? Unfortunately, September 13, 2024 will mark two decades since the expiration of the law banning the sale of assault weapons. Following this 10-year ban, the National Rifle Association launched one of the most relentless lobbying strategies in U.S. history.

The reprehensible and pampered fanatics who lead the NRA's efforts have instilled more political fear in the majority of the nation's lawmakers than the physical fear that could be triggered by the firing of the 16 million AK-15s sold in the United States.

More: Out-of-state residents send sympathy, advice after Covenant School shooting | Letters

Could September 13 become a rallying date for those of us who sincerely want to “do something”? I'm not sure, but I do know that after our solemn recognition of the world-changing 9/11 terrorist attack, we might turn our attention to September 13 – the day our resident “Second Amendment Terrorists” been officially released to fight. any attempt at reasonable gun reform.

Let's bring together survivors and all citizens to end the bloodshed

Could this symbolic action slow down the parade of homicides and bring a glimmer of relief to those whose pain can never be eased? Perhaps pause for a moment at the 13th hour (1:00 p.m.) and send a wish of comfort and relief?

Perhaps the millions of survivors, fellow sufferers, and supporters could take a moment longer to feel their rage and alert the smug politicians on the NRA's protected lists that our “list” is growing too.

I hope we can use September 13 as a rallying point around which all victims of sad anniversaries can unite.

I know there is at least one Hokie and one Tennessee Volunteer who are both praying for hope to prevail.

Bo Roberts is a marketing consultant and author in Nashville. His second book is “Flaming Moderate”, flamingmoderatebook.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gun violence anniversaries: Commemorate the loss of life and safety.