Ninety-nine percent of Republican lawmakers voted against banning assault weapons, and 96% voted against commonsense background checks before gun sales. Both of these safety measures are supported by the majority of Americans and would save countless lives.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 648 mass shootings in 2022. Despite this, GOP legislators blocked the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which was designed to combat the growing threat of domestic violent extremist groups and individuals by ensuring that law enforcement had the resources needed to identify and prevent this type of violence.

As of Feb. 6, there were 60 mass shootings reported this year that resulted in 92 deaths and 240 injuries. That doesn’t include the over 1,200 gun deaths in this country so far in 2023.

Jan. 6 saw a domestic violent attack against the very institution that governs our free nation. Law enforcement personnel were injured and died as a result of the mob attack on the Capitol. Other instances of political violence include the attack on Paul Pelosi, the plot to kidnap the Michigan governor and a Republican candidate paying men to shoot at Democratic lawmakers’ homes. Even election workers, school board members and librarians have had to endure harassment and death threats.

The GOP has purposefully ignited violence for partisan political purposes. They normalize the use of violent rhetoric, which has become a dangerous and alarming hallmark of their messaging.

When did the law and order party become the vigilante party that advocates vengeance and a blatant disregard for law and order?

Katie Forsythe

North Huntingdon

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