"When it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us, we must act now," said President Barack Obama this afternoon, as he signed 23 executive orders and urged Congress to act quickly to curb gun violence. Mark was at the White House event on behalf of Save the Children.
Save the Children has not been involved in the gun control issue in the past -- our work has focused on providing education, health and emergency relief services to children and families living in poverty in the United States and around the world -- but in the aftermath of Newtown, we are taking action. And when it comes to the safety of our children, there should be no comprise or half steps.
The President's proposal includes:
- Universal background checks for anyone purchasing a gun;
- A ban on assault weapons and a 10-round limit on ammunition magazines; and
- Tougher sanctions on people who knowingly sell guns to criminals.
We agree wholeheartedly with these common-sense solutions. We also support efforts to expand mental health services, particularly for young people. But these are just the first steps.
This is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. We must address the violence plaguing our society, the poverty crisis that is affecting 16 million children, and the obesity epidemic that is affecting 12.5 million. That's why we are joining forces with the Children's Health Fund, Every Child Matters, First Focus, Harlem Children's Zone, and Share Our Strength to call on the President and Congress to establish a new National Commission on Children.
The first National Commission on Children was formed by President Reagan and Congress in 1987 to "serve as a forum on behalf of the children of the Nation." The Commission was charged with assessing the status of children and families and outlining new directions for policy and programs. The Commission released its final report in 1991. Entitled, "Beyond Rhetoric: A New Agenda for America's Children and Families," the report led to the enactment of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program, among other important initiatives.
More than two decades later, it is well past time for a new commission to take stock of the challenges facing the modern American child. Kids are growing up in a different world, so it's time for new and bold ideas. We can do more to make our children safe from violence at home and in school. We can improve kids' health, especially those living in poverty. We can do more to help them succeed in school and achieve their full potential.
This new Commission should be tasked with creating a national policy on children, setting goals for reducing childhood poverty, obesity, illiteracy and violence, as well as the risks posed by natural disasters.
Everyone in Washington, D.C. seems to be talking about the debt and cutting government services. Undoubtedly, some will say that a price tag of $1-2 million a year for a two-year Commission is too high. But we have noticed that our political leaders often say that our children are our most important resource.
It's time for them to put our dollars where their mouths are.
Join us in doing the right thing for our children. Sign our petition today.
Follow Mark Shriver on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Mark_Shriver
Sec. Arne Duncan: Now Is the Time to Reduce Gun Violence in Schools and Communities
T. Berry Brazelton, MD: No More Newtowns
Jumaane D. Williams: A Good Start
Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Executive Orders on Guns Good Start but Congress Is Still the Cure
Previewing Your Comment.
This comment has not yet been postedSo now we feel all warm and fuzzy that we got to say we are protecting kids and sticking it to gun onwers and the NRA who, according to pundits, are the real problem. Meanwhile we have done nothing to make anyone safer. Except those in power who have all the protection they can legislate for themselves.
- armed guards if necessary.
You don't "save the children" by infringing or taking away someone else's Constitutional rights.
http://youtu.be/Ooa98FHuaU0
Wake up you are being lied to.
Let is give them freedom of opportunity without reverse discrimination, quotas and affirmative action
Let us protect them from the filth spewed out by Hollywood
Let us arm and train teachers to protect them in school.
Let us free them from the debt created by Obama "me first" generation
Let us cap teachers salaries and benefits to reasonable levels so that college tuition decreases
Obama didn't deal with any of those things that our children really need. His solution is demagogue, divide, throw money at it and use it for political advantage.
- Universal background checks for anyone purchasing a gun;
- A ban on assault weapons and a 10-round limit on ammunition magazines; and
- Tougher sanctions on people who knowingly sell guns to criminals.
Which of these do you not support and why?
You know we have sanctions on people who knowingly sell guns to criminals now but the Obama Justice department doesn't enforce the laws we now have. Wonder why that is? So that there will be more victims.
I would not support background checks and permitting or licensing of journalists or people who speak out in public and would not support them for people wanted to exercise their 2nd amendment rights.
I would not support a ban on MSNBC (=1st amendment equivalent of assault rifle) or on real assault rifles. Also that term "assault rifle" is a myth. It is nothing more than a hunting rifle made to look like an M15. It is NOT an "automatic" weapon.
I would not support a ban or prevent people from selling their private property to each other including weapons. It isn't my job or a citizens job to screen the purchaser just like it is not my job to attempt to screen the violent hate inducing speech of stations like NBC or MSNBC.
Bring me an amendment to the 2nd amendment that preserves my right to defend myself again a tyrannical government but limits clip size to 10-12 and restricts ownership of automatic weapons (which are already illegal) and I would vote for it.
You do know that you just said this is a slippery slope.