Robinson: Gun violence is here to stay

March 29, 2023March 28, 2023

Firearms collected at a May 2022 gun buyback event in Milpitas. Photo courtesy of the office of Supervisor Otto Lee.

Over 129 mass shootings so far this year. Three nine-year olds died yesterday. The usual hand wringing in the media was in full force. Parents are outraged that no new gun safety laws are forthcoming. As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s de ja vu all over again.”

Yet national polls show about 45% of the public would vote for a traitor, former President Donald Trump. Gun safety is not his priority. What is wrong with voters in this nation? Our current president does what he can, but our Congress is impotent and we have a Supreme Court openly hostile to rationality, basic freedom and stare decisis.

Santa Clara County is not immune to gun violence. A 2022 county report on gun violence showed it costs $1.2 billion annually, in addition to the needless deaths. A mass shooting at VTA that left 10 people dead made national news in 2021. It’s a national epidemic.

Gun violence has now surpassed auto accidents as the greatest killer of children in the United States. And the shooters are getting younger: a six-year-old shot his teacher in a Virginia city I recently visited, and it scared me to death. Open carry on the streets, Trump flags everywhere, stop the steal signs—it was an alternate universe. Is it any wonder a six-year-old had a gun at school?

There are no quick and easy answers. As long as Republicans, the NRA and the current Supreme Court exist there will be not national action on gun violence. Local action is increasingly prohibited.

But understand this: nobody is safe. Schools, workplaces, theaters, concerts, malls, even the Gilroy Garlic Festival, have been venues for shootings. It will not abate even with the overwhelming support of voters. The die is cast and die we will—there is literally no place to hide, at least in America.

San José Spotlight columnist Rich Robinson is a political consultant, attorney and author of “The Shadow Candidate.” His columns appear every fourth Wednesday of the month.

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Comments (30)

Time to be Honest Mar 29, 2023 at 9:11AM

When this author says guns are the #1 killer of children – that statistic in no way matches the CDCs stats of most groups. Where for children, accidents are the leading cause of death, not shootings. This is fear mongering. One group sadly does have homicide as the #1 cause for young male deaths, and I’m just going to leave that there.

Anyone can go look at CDC stats on this at any point. Can we at least report the reality?

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Time to be Honest Mar 29, 2023 at 9:13AM

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/child-health.htm

Just leave that there for the author.

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- Rich Robinson Mar 29, 2023 at 11:59AM
  
  Old Stats. Here are the updated numbers. . .
  
  https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/health/us-children-gun-deaths-dg/index.html#:~:text=Firearms%20accounted%20for%20nearly%2019,children%20in%20the%20United%20States.
  
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  - Time to be Honest Mar 29, 2023 at 7:39PM
    
    You’re manipulating data. If you look at the CDC stats, nit biased CNN – you will see specifically the 0-14 age group has accidents as the #1 cause of death. Why you would include adults in the data? I have no idea.
    
    You’re deceptive. Same as the CNN article. And, you’re wrong.
    
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  - Time to be Honest Mar 29, 2023 at 7:41PM
    
    An 18 year old is not a child. The way you progressives manipulate broad data sets is really pathetic attempts to push false narratives. You can still say “guns are bad” and be honest at the same time.
    
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    - Local Not so Yokel Mar 30, 2023 at 12:35PM
      
      If you can’t legally smoke or drink, you’re a child
      
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Richie Rich Mar 29, 2023 at 9:15AM

I’m looking forward to the elimination of the second amendment. It will be followed quickly by the elimination of the first amendment. Then we won’t read the bull shit being put forth by this individual. You see the problem is not guns but mental illness. The prevention of law abiding citizens from carrying guns and protecting themselves and others…

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- Rich Robinson Mar 29, 2023 at 11:27AM
  
  BY former Chief Justice Warren Burger (not a liberal)
  
  Second Amendment Does Not Guarantee the Right To Own a Gun (From Gun Control, P 99-102, 1992, Charles P Cozic, ed. — See NCJ-160164)
  NCJ Number 160176
  Author(s)
  W E Burger
  Date Published 1992
  Length 4 pages
  Annotation
  Former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Warren Burger argues that the sale, purchase, and use of guns should be regulated just as automobiles and boats are regulated; such regulations would not violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
  Abstract
  The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees a “right of the people to keep and bear arms.” However, the meaning of this clause cannot be understood apart from the purpose, the setting, and the objectives of the draftsmen. At the time of the Bill of Rights, people were apprehensive about the new national government presented to them, and this helps explain the language and purpose of the Second Amendment. It guarantees, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The need for a State militia was the predicate of the “right” guarantee, so as to protect the security of the State. Today, of course, the State militia serves a different purpose. A huge national defense establishment has assumed the role of the militia of 200 years ago. Americans have a right to defend their homes, and nothing should undermine this right; nor does anyone question that the Constitution protects the right of hunters to own and keep sporting guns for hunting anymore than anyone would challenge the right to own and keep fishing rods and other equipment for fishing. Neither does anyone question the right of citizens to keep and own an automobile. Yet there is no strong interest by the citizenry in questioning the power of the State to regulate the purchase or the transfer of such a vehicle and the right to license the vehicle and the driver with reasonable standards. It is even more desirable for the State to have reasonable regulations for the ownership and use of a firearm in an effort to stop mindless homicidal carnage.
  
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  - Bemused Mar 30, 2023 at 9:48AM
    
    That’s Burger’s personal opinion in a private publication, not a SCOTUS opinion, Richie. But your entire position is inaccurate. The gun is not the issue; the gun owner is the issue. We don’t need more new laws, the democrat answer to every little thing. We have plenty of laws; they just aren’t enforced very well or uniformly across the nation. Chicago has the toughest anti-gun laws in the nation, yet its annual firearm death toll is greater than the annual total of all the mass shootings by mostly mentally ill shooters. Where were the parents of some of these kids living with them who were depressed and making threats before they struck? And your attempt to says it’s all Trump’s fault is classic ‘progressive’ nonsense. BTW,I am neither a Republican nor a Trump supporter. The DOJ estimate is that there are around 500 MILLION privately owned firearms in the USA and that slightly more than half the households in the US have at least one firearm in the house. All these deaths are tragic, but the solution is not to take it out on the 170 MILLION law abiding firearms owning families.
    
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    - Local Yokel Reprise Mar 30, 2023 at 12:22PM
      
      The right to keep and bear arms, which is individual, is stated clearly in the federal Constitution that it may not be infringed. One (1) reason why it was not to be infringed was the regulation need included with the right, but that in no way binds weapon possession to collective use only.
      
      There is additional material to be found in the state constitutions, which are of various ages, and include in some cases nothing about arms, or no protection given to concealed weapons, or may permit some regulation.
      
      In fact, a correct post-Fourteenth Amendment interpretation includes that the federal government may not encroach on or deny specific rights protected by the states.
      
      Mr. Robinson and other kids, have fun with your Quest As Usual, but clean it up along with your behavior if you want it actually to be no longer off-putting to the grown-ups.
      
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Joe Mar 29, 2023 at 10:26AM

I wonder how many Trump flags he saw in Chicago?

This isn’t an op-Ed. It’s Trump derangement syndrome on full display.

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- Rich Robinson Mar 29, 2023 at 11:41AM
  
  Traitor Trump and his cultists are a danger to this republic.
  
  Read the January 6 report. His calls for violence against public officials, his lies and his autocratic behavior are on record.
  
  Just the facts to refute a typical ad hominem attack from the dangerous fringe.
  
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  - Joe Mar 29, 2023 at 12:09PM
    
    Wow. This is the kind of unhinged rhetoric that makes people want to get armed. Being labeled a threat to the republic because of how you vote in an election.
    
    Again, I present your post as an example of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
    
    I read the January 6 report. Sorry, I’m not falling for the ideologues on either side of
    
    The only autocratic behavior I see is from the political left.
    
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Bob Mar 29, 2023 at 1:18PM

“As long as Republicans, the NRA and the current Supreme Court exist there will be not national action on gun violence.”

It’s important to for everyone to be precise with language, especially those fortunate enough to be given a large audience. The above sentence is horrific. Read it again, “As long as Republicans, the NRA and the current Supreme Court exist there will be not national action on gun violence.” EXIST. I don’t like labeling anything, but in this day and age, I believe this sentence could easily be labeled as hate speech, or possibly be inferred as a call to violence. This is disgusting.

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- Rich Robinson Mar 29, 2023 at 3:44PM
  
  I shan’t apologize for hating mass murders, the killing of children and the enablers who allow it to happen.
  
  I also abhor violence, which should be apparent based on the article. As for the word “exist” used in context–it applies to institutions that promote guns, violence and sometimes hate.
  
  Institutions can be eliminated via peaceful change and it does not and should not require violence. See Ghandi, MLK and Cesar Chavez.
  
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  - Bemused Mar 30, 2023 at 9:59AM
    
    If you want to make a dent in gun violence, Richie, make a move against the largest body of gun violence perpetrators according to DOJ figures—black males between 16-36. Oops! I’m not supposed to repeat that undeniable fact out loud. They are 3% of the total population and account for about 57% of all firearms homicides. Another fact we’re fact we white folks aren’t supposed to say out loud. The democrat politicians and folks like yourself keep quiet:about that.Most of their victims are other black people; but that seems to be OK with democrat lawmakers:who are content to blame Trump for everything bad that happens in the US.
    
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Rich Robinson Mar 29, 2023 at 1:42PM

The left didn’t organize a coup or try to invalidate a legitimate election. The left didn’t attack the U.S.Capitol or assault Capitol police. The lLeft didn’t want to hang their own Vice President for following the Constitution.

The Left never tried to coerce their own to find votes to overturn an election. The Left never tried to send an alternate set of electoral votes to the Vice President.

Don’t take a side?

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of moral crisis, preserve their neutrality. Dante

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- Bemused Mar 30, 2023 at 10:12AM
  
  There was no coup attempt, Richie; no insurrection. There was a small mob of unarmed idiots. The Capitol Police let most of those quiet folks into the Capitol. The thousands of hours of surveillance video prove that. Not one protester had a weapon. How do you stage a coup or an insurrection without weapons? The Pelosi-Schiff-Robinson narrative is the biggest false conspiracy theory of the century. The only death was the fault of a squirrelly Capitol cop who shot an unarmed woman. And he’s still on the job. Most of those folks inside the Capitol were truly peaceful, unlike the screaming, rioting mobs of your favorite folks destroying billions of dollars of public and private property and causing a number of deaths after George Floyd’s murder. You have swallowed whole every Pelosi and Schiff lie hook, line, and sinker. But, unlike you and your ilk, we won’t fire you from your job, dox you, picket your house angrily, start fires, loot businesses, or vandalize property.
  
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James Clu Mar 29, 2023 at 1:55PM

Another Op-Ed, spewing misinformation with highly charged “trigger” words and shameless use of a tragedy, another tragedy most likely caused by the celebration of a dysphoria and untreated mental condition.
Poor Rich’s TDS has not yet gone over the line that just caused the resignation of Katie Hobbs’ disgraced press secretary.
Mar 29, 2023: “AZ Democrat Governor’s Press Secretary Out after Tweet Encouraging Gun Violence…”

If the uninformed, Mr. Richardson, really had a goal of being tough on gun violence, then he would advocate for tougher penalties for criminal offenders that use firearms in a criminal act.
A quick search shows how frequently criminals with gun charges are pled down and released,
only to commit future violent crimes.

But it appears he is not bright enough to actually advocate properly for his cause and focus on Progressive DAs and Judges, Prop. 47 , $0 Bails, and Revolving Door Jails.

Just read the headlines:
“Exclusive: As violence rises, prosecutors bargain away gun charges”
and
“Nearly 100 people charged with murder are free to walk streets of Chicago thanks to woke bail reform: Judge REFUSES to jail suspects accused of violent crimes despite pleas from cops and the Mayor”

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- Dario Mar 29, 2023 at 10:53PM
  
  James Clu . I agree with you . I would take it on step further. If a D.A . Can’t do his job put a hard penalty on the D.A. Why are they cutting felons loose.No guts to do their job. It seems judges don’t want to do their job.I think these D.A. and judges should go to work at a soda fountain. Ever one would love them .
  
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- Not Suckered Mar 30, 2023 at 12:02PM
  
  There is also, despite his complete misunderstanding and personal nonsense to the contrary, a need first and foremost to state the need for, followed by the content of, his proposed Constitutional amendment to achieve the kinds of fundamental changes he and other gun control proponents have wanted for generations. And with Washington, DC, it’s federal, not “national” [sic], action.
  
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Steve Mar 29, 2023 at 2:40PM

This authors opinions are so ridiculous as to not warrant any attention at all.

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SJ Kulak Mar 29, 2023 at 9:19PM

Steve

I second your sentiment. I read his first one like a year or two ago and it’s clear he is trying to get an over reaction. I am quite sure no one on the progressive side even clicks on his nonsense as he is mostly an establishment political operative.

Everybody commenting, the best thing to do is ignore his articles.

He is trolling you and not acting in good faith nor attempting to solve problems, and nothing will come from pointing out facts or engaging him.

He is either bored or looking for unhinged quotes and this outlet shows their intentions clearly by maintaining his space.

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Les Francis Mar 29, 2023 at 9:42PM

Rich—-A powerful piece. And sad, but true. Too bad so many comments come from people who seem to use the platform rather than seek and pay for psychotherapy.. Our country is plummeting toward total collapse, and it appears irreversible.

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- Rich Robinson Mar 30, 2023 at 10:25AM
  
  Thanks Les,
  
  We will, nonetheless, keep working.
  
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Maria Mar 30, 2023 at 6:41AM

As long as someone is making money, there will be guns.

Sad that money is the motivating factor.

When do people matter?

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Kirk Vartan Mar 30, 2023 at 10:16AM

Hi Rich,

It’s great to see you engaging your audience. I’d like to take that one step further. Can we talk about how to setup a larger conversation about “Guns in Our Society?” I’ve literally been trying to do this for a decade a yet *no one* has the courage to do it.

That may seem harsh, but I have lots of emails that go unanswered about this. It includes all media (print, digital, and video), all elected officials, and the sjpd chiefs. I understand there is really no political upside to having a conversation about it. The only politician that really did something was Liccardo, and his cowardice in including only one voice is shameful and disgusting. Virtue signaling is kind of worse than doing nothing. The level of deceit propagated by Liccardo is unbecoming of any elected official, but especially him since he had multiple tragedies on his watch and did nothing to actually put a focus on gun violence. And yes, I use the term “gun violence” since that is the term of choice, even though it is a divisive and highly politically charged term.

You clearly represent the opinion about more gun control. I would like to extend an open invitation to having a multi-part series that focuses on understanding the issues, priorities, and concerns around guns today. Each segment can touch on a different aspect. My ultimate goal is to have a 3-part, large format panel, but we can talk about that later. We can simply start with a zoom conversation that can post to a YouTube channel. We can start small and encourage others to join.

You obviously have reach since you have a regular column in Spotlight. And a couple years ago, Spotlight had a single panel to talk about gun policy. It was a good start, but it ended. It was a point in time. There was no follow-up or next steps.

It seems you are passionate about this topic; we all are. I am suggesting we *do* something. We can’t legislate, but we can hold debate and lead a balanced and respectful discussion. Let’s stop talking about how absurd the problem is, and let’s start talking about the issues and hopefully solutions. But that only happens when all voices are at the table, not just one view. And I really try to not use the word “side” as I believe we are all on the same side; we just have different views on how to implement the strategy for achieving it.

Please email me: [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kirk Vartan

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- Rich Robinson Mar 30, 2023 at 10:31PM
  
  Happy to participate.
  
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  - Kirk Vartan Mar 31, 2023 at 11:37PM
    
    Rich, please email me at the address above. I don’t have your contact info. Thanks.
    
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Rich Robinson Mar 31, 2023 at 9:44AM

Thanks Les,

We will, nonetheless, keep working.

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Robinson: Gun violence is here to stay

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