Let me clear my throat...

Governor Kay Ivey and Senator Doug Jones

By: Johnathan Austin 

      2/20/2018

So just to make sure I understand, two of our states top politicians (one R and one D) are both advocating for metal detectors in schools, not a word about gun control laws??? Have they questioned how much metal detectors would cost? How about operation and maintenance, every year? Why is it that with all the gun violence we are experiencing, not just in the U.S., but in our own Sweet Home Alabama, or even closer, Birmingham, no one is really talking about reforming our gun laws in Alabama? America is in a crisis, Alabama is in a crisis, Birmingham is in a crisis and no one is speaking about real solutions to gun violence in our own communities, NO ONE. Going to a neighborhood meeting in Birmingham is not going to stop one gun related homicide. Doing a prayer walk in a neighborhood is not going to stop someone who is intent on using a gun to resolve a conflict (sorry Bible bangers). Holding another peace rally or gun buyback is not going to eradicate a virus (guns and gun violence) that has affected our community for decades. While all of those actions are worthy of photoshoots, news coverage, facebook posts, retweets, and IG, they will not curb the violence that has torn so many of our communities and families apart across our beloved city, state, and country.

The real solution to fight gun related crimes is with gun related laws. Its time out for our politicians (local, state, and national) to stop sitting on the sidelines as our sons and daughters are being killed by senseless acts of violence over any dispute, large or small. We have the opportunity right now in our own state to begin to tackle the gun violence epidemic right in our own community of Birmingham, AL. I have seen first hand and pointed out many times how elected officials (both R's and D's) come together to pass laws that hurt Birmingham, can they finally come together this time to pass laws that will help Birmingham (they are most recently trying to pass a law to help us build a $300 million stadium for UAB that will "help" all of central Alabama)? Is there anyone in Montgomery fighting for real gun reform for Birmingham? My guess is probably not.

I have a solution. Since it has been proven that the Mayor of Birmingham (pay attention Mayor Randall Woodfin, this one is for you) has, for now, the position of advocating for the largest city in our state, and legislators obviously listen and comply (see the changes to the Mayor/Council Act, Birmingham Water Works, just to name a few harmful changes that happened under the previous mayor and current legislators, most who are running for reelection this year...), there is an opportunity to make some real meaningful change in Birmingham, or possibly Alabama. Seeing how crazy our politicians are in Montgomery (Democrats not excluded), this idea just might work.

So here it is: I suggest that the Mayor of Birmingham (along with the Birmingham City Council) pass a resolution in support of gun law reforms. But not just a resolution for gun law reforms generally, that would be too easy and let them (our elected officials) off the hook. What I'm suggesting is that if our legislators in Jefferson County (again both R's and D's) really care about the county that they represent and the cities they call home, those same caring, empathetic legislators need to pass legislation that will protect the people that they represent. What I'm saying is if that there is no chance of a statewide bill instituting massive gun reform and control laws across the state, how about they just start in Jefferson County with a local bill. Use Jefferson County as a petri dish and pass a local law just for our county. Ask them to pass laws that would make it more difficult for people in the county (yes you could add surrounding counties if you like) to purchase assault rifles, wait longer to purchase handguns, make gun safety a part of the requirements for purchasing a gun, make sure we don't put guns in the hands of those that are suffering from a mental illness, and so many other ideas and ways to address this issue.

I'm sure someone will challenge the law and say that we can't do something like this in just one county, or that it violates the second amendment, or some other bs argument the crazies will come up with. But let them challenge it, let them raise hell, let them take us all the way to the Supreme Court if they must, but don't let our children die in vain. Don't let another life get taken by a gun, don't let another person resolve conflict with a gun, without taking a stand for our city. Don't let another day go by without first acknowledging that there is a serious problem in our neighborhoods, that more police on the streets is not the answer, that the militarization of our police force will only exacerbate the problem of community policing, that knowing the lives of our children, the future of all of us, is squarely in our hands and we can actually do something about it. Don't let another mother lose her child to gun violence because we (you) failed to act.

I know the state legislature can do it, they can pass a local law, they have done it before, many times, just check the record. In fact, if the legislators tell you they can't do it, they are misleading you. It's the Alabama Legislature for God's sake, they are the LAWMAKERS!

Birmingham, it is OUR time to stand up, once again, and let the state, the country, the world know we have had enough. We have lost enough lives. We have lost enough jewels in our communities. How many more must we lose before someone, anyone, is willing to stand up for them???

The time is now, we must strike while the iron is hot...