To Cry For

The U.S. president lost his cool yesterday during a White House press conference. He explained that it was time for him to act unilaterally regarding the controversial gun control issue.

While listing the reasons that encouraged him to intervene, he mentioned the massacre that occurred three years ago at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. You certainly remember it: 26 people were killed on that day, including 20 six- and seven-year-old children.

Barack Obama had been speaking with composure for several minutes, his face stern, surrounded by the friends and families of recent shooting victims. Suddenly, when he spoke of that tragedy, he started to cry.

Evidently, that tragedy alone justifies the president’s tears — even more so because it represents a troubling pattern. Every year in the United States, 30,000 people lose their lives to firearms. Do the math. At the end of Barack Obama’s eight-year presidency, about 240,000 people will have died. That’s twice the population of Trois-Rivières.

Much like the inaction of U.S. Congress members, it brings tears to your eyes, without a shadow of a doubt.

The president was never able to convince Congress to create legislation concerning the issue — despite his repeated efforts. He had to settle for proposing a series of measures yesterday, which are relatively timid but that have long been called for by people who believe it’s too easy to buy a gun in the United States.

What he called “common-sense reforms” essentially aim to make it harder for criminals and those with mental illnesses to buy guns — in particular by increasing background checks for many buyers.

Poll after poll demonstrates that a large majority of Americans are in favor of these kinds of initiatives. How can you not agree with the president when he states that he is absolutely not conspiring “to take away everybody’s guns,” as his detractors would have you believe?

What also brings a tear to your eye is the Republican reaction. It’s predictable, but still upsetting. They made it known that they would do everything to block the measure, without proposing an alternate solution. And without mincing words, they insinuated that Barack Obama’s plan amounted to an act of tyranny.

Their panicked cries are not harmless: They encourage Americans to jump at the chance to buy more guns. A New York Times article that was published yesterday showed that the more gun control is discussed in Washington, the more gun sales break records.