The WAPO reports citing the FBI that the “perpetrator of the attempted assassination on Former President Trump at his rally in Butler, Pa yesterday that killed one and critically injured two rally goers, is 20 year old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa.” The FBI has revealed that the shooter, who was killed by law enforcement at the site, was a Registered Republican according to State voter records. To wit, www.washingtonpost.com/…
During the immediate aftermath of the shooting, irresponsible bloggers were spreading misinformation on the web falsely claiming the perpetrator was a member of “Antifa”. The nation is highly polarized and the shrill rhetoric emanating from extreme voices, combined with the easy access to weapons, provides the fertile breeding ground for deadly violence. Misinformation can have unforeseen, deadly consequences in this environment and should be avoided.
While Trump fortunately escaped serious injury, a graze wound to the upper right ear, one of the other victims tragically died at the scene from a bullet wound to his head. Two other male spectators were also shot and are critically injured. The Pennsylvania State Police will release the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin.
This latest instance of gun violence is getting a lot of media attention due to the fact that a candidate for President was among the victims. The sobering reality is that gun violence has claimed over 5000 lives in the US this year alone. To wit, abcnews.go.com/… Although the numbers of gun violence death will vary from year to year and across geographical regions in the country, there is little doubt that the easy access to weapons and the Supreme Court’s maximalist interpretation of the Second Amendment which states, “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,” have impeded stricter gun control measures. If we recall, SCOTUS struck down a ban on bump stocks (accessories which enhance the rapid fire capabilities of weapons) in June of this year. apnews.com/...
I would urge all candidates for President and Vice-President and their surrogates (members of Congress) who stump for them during this campaign season to not take unnecessary risks by holding large public events. Despite the protection afforded to VIPs by the Secret Service and law enforcement, it is still dangerous as this case has shown. I extend my condolences to all families who were affected by yesterday’s violence and sincerely hope that gun violence will ultimately come to an end.