Virginia Beach, Las Vegas, Parkland and Sandy Hook, all stand as a bloody testament to America’s love affair with guns. Each mass shooting leaves behind in its wake shattered lives, hopes, and dreams while we see feckless politicians offer up meaningless “Thoughts and prayers.”

Politicians wring their hands, staunchly defends the status quo and take in huge donations from the NRA.

Believe you me; I do not advocate for Stormtroopers go into people’s homes and forcibly confiscating guns. However, surely we can do something to alleviate the domestic carnage we experience in this country.

Many convinced that the second amendment is sacrosanct. Where do none gun owners’ rights begin? Don’t we have the right to attend public events, school, and go to work without fear of gun violence?

The main caveat for the NRA should be that the right to gun ownership is a privilege bought with responsibility, total responsibility. We should be able to agree on comprehensive background checks to deny criminals and the mentally ill access to deadly firepower. However, the financial heft and lobbying muscle of the NRA has stymied real attempt at gun control.

We have a patchwork of laws in some states, such as “Open carry: and “Stand your ground” have fueled a “Wild West” mentality which in some cases has led to tragic consequences. It would be too simplistic to state the nations 'love affair sixth guns are just a part of our psyche. In comparison, other countries where guns are not as readily available death rates due to gun violence are dramatically lower.

As in the case of New Zealand after a massacre, had the political will to ban assault rifles a lesson for us all perhaps there is hope for the future. The passionate advocacy of the young Parkland shooting survivors has galvanized a movement for common sense gun laws. Progressive states such as California and Colorado have passed more restrictive laws on gun and ammunition sales. Many have called for the crisis to be declared 'national emergency, very few in battle zones like Chicago would disagree with that characterization.

Elections have consequences, and 2020 is the perfect way to our craven politicians who failed so miserably to protect us.