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Home , 2011 Tucson shooting, Barbara Olson, Dunblane massacre, Jared Lee Loughner, John Roll

FREE INQUIRY IN CREATIVE SOCIOLOGY Volume 40, Number 2, Summer 2012

THE TUCSON MASSACRE: DECONSTRUCTING COMPETING CLAIMS

Anthony Cortese, Ph.D. Southern Methodist University

ABSTRACT What are the underlying causes of the that killed six people–including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl, critically wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and injured 12 others? In the aftermath of the shooting, three competing claims emerged: (1) Hate rhetoric from the right-wing; (2) The mental illness of the shooter; and (3) lax gun laws. From a critical constructionist model, this article deconstructs each claim, providing a coherent account of this tragic event, and other key players such as the NRA, Brady Bill, 1994 Ban on Assault Weapons, and British gun reform after the that claimed the lives of sixteen five-year-old and six-year-old students and their teacher who died shielding them from the disturbed killer.

“You tried to create a world as dark and evil as your own. Remember this: You failed.” --, husband of former U.S. representative Gabrielle Giffords, to Jared Loughner at the latter’s federal sentencing hearing, November 9, 2012.

INTRODUCTION Henslin (2008:6) uses a mixed definition, defining a social problem both objectively and Social problems may be defined subjectively: objectively, subjectively (constructionist) or “some aspect of society that people as a hybrid of the two. Manis (1976:25) are concerned about and would like defines social problems objectively: “social changed. Social problems have two conditions identified by scientific inquiry and key components. The first is an values as detrimental to human well-being." objective condition, some aspect of Thus, there are threatening or harmful society that can be measured or conditions in the empirical world that exist experienced… The second key independently of public awareness or social element of a social problem is concern about these conditions. In contrast, subjective concern, the concern that Spector and Kitsuse (1977:75) define social a significant number of people (or a problems subjectively, using social number of significant people) have constructionism: “the activities of individuals about the objective condition.” or groups making assertions of grievances and claims with respect to some punitive A hybrid definition has problems. conditions.” In essence, social problems are Objectivists (e.g., Manis 1976) would argue claim-making activities –speeches, news that the definition of a condition as a social coverage, protest or other social activities– problem should rest on solid scientific that defines punitive conditions as threats or evidence rather than on public belief. In crises. Accordingly, conditions do not contrast, social constructionists (e.g., Spector necessarily have to be empirically real to be and Kitsuse 1975) indicate people sometimes defined as social problems. In short, social develop concern about a problem in cases problems research should focus on the where the alleged condition is not objectively claims of politicians, journalists, lobbyists, real– for example, witches in colonial Salem, and others instead of studying supposedly Massachusetts. Moreover, the phrase harmful conditions. subjective concern is misleading because

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organized claims-making activities and 5. Most polling shows the majority collective definitions of social problems are of Americans support an assault shared social pursuits rather than weapons ban. individualistic subjective phenomena. 6. Eighty-seven percent of gun Why do some problems become matters owners and 74 percent of NRA of public concern while others do not? How members support requiring do protestors and other actors construct background checks for every gun narratives to capture public attention and sale. encourage change? How do powerful actors with different resources, launch claims that Gun violence as a social problem falls promote their special interest? This article within the legal purview of the Bureau of addresses these questions by analyzing the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives process of reconstructing the social problem (ATF), a federal law enforcement of gun violence through the Tucson shooting organization within the United States –the mass murders and attempted Department of Justice. Its mission: to protect of U.S. Congresswoman “our communities from violent criminals, Gabriel Giffords– on , 2011. In criminal organizations, the illegal use and particular, there is focus on the process trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and through which competing claims are put storage of explosives, acts of arson and forward and mediated. Of special interest are bombings, acts of , and the illegal the cultural dynamics and media practices diversion of alcohol and tobacco products” that contribute to the credibility of claims. (ATF 2012). What are the patterns that emerge from The position of ATF director has been examining claims in both historical and vacant since 2006– the same time that a new contemporary contexts made about the policy took effect requiring Senate causes of the Tucson massacre? How does confirmation of those nominated for the one deconstruct the three plausible yet position by the president. The Senate has competing claims used to explain the event? never confirmed anyone as director, leaving These are the main questions this article the agency to the responsibility of acting addresses. directors for six consecutive years at the time of this writing (November 2012). The NRA GUN VIOLENCE: A SOCIAL PROBLEM strongly opposes President Obama's nominee, Andrew Traver, who has favored Advocates of objective or hybrid definitions gun control and anti-gun activities (Skiba of social problems would use the following to 2011). The ATF director has virtual exclusive document gun violence as a social problem oversight and jurisdiction over the firearms (Mayors Against Illegal Guns 2012): industry, its retailers and those who would 1. There are approximately 30,000 like to purchase guns. Clearly, the lack of a firearm-related homicides and permanent director, over such a long period, suicides a year. prevents the agency and the Department of 2. An estimated 6.6 million guns are Justice from taking positive steps to alleviate transferred every year without a the problem of gun violence. federal background check. There is, of course, the objective side of 3. Twenty-two percent of 14- to 17- social problems– the facts of the case. On year-olds has witnessed a January 8, 2011, United States shooting in their lifetime. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 4. Fifteen of the 25 worst mass eighteen other people were shot during a shootings in the last 50 years public meeting held in a supermarket parking took place in the United States. lot in Casas Adobes, near Tucson, . Six of those were fatally shot, including Arizona District Court Chief Judge ,

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one of Representative Giffords' staffers, and violent tone of right-wing attacks on the a nine-year-old child, Christina Taylor-Green. federal government. Because the nature of One additional person was injured in the claims-making is essentially subjective, the immediate aftermath of the shooting– an three competing claims indicate a lack of elderly man who hurt his arm while hitting the consensus on the underlying causes of the shooter, Jared Loughner, on the head with a shooting. Newsweek magazine exploited and folding chair while he was attempting to sensationalized the Tucson Massacre on its reload his weapon. cover with an illustration of a Federal prosecutors filed charges against shooter wrapped in an American flag and the the twenty-two-year-old Loughner, including bold font: American Assassins. It was the attempted assassination of a member of extremely misleading and opportunistic to Congress and the assassination of a federal display the shooter with patriotic motives. judge (Chicago Sun Times 2011; Lacey After the shooting, Loughner was 2011; 2011). Giffords, diagnosed with and forced to the first Jewish person elected to Congress undergo psychotropic drug treatments. from Arizona, was holding a Congress on Eventually, a federal judge claimed Loughner your Corner session in front of a Safeway understood the charges brought against him store. (There had been speculation that (Billeaud 2012). Loughner subsequently Loughner might be anti-Semitic despite a (August 2012) plead guilty in the Arizona lack of evidence that the shooting was shooting (January 2011), was sentenced to inspired by anti-Semitism.) Loughner shot seven consecutive life terms in prison Giffords, who represented Arizona’s 8th (November 2012) –most likely in a federal congressional district, in the forehead at point prison psychiatric ward– and an additional blank range critically wounding her. He 140 years without the possibility of subsequently turned around and began firing (Keefer and Holstege 2012). At the on other people in the audience. sentencing hearing, a large group of victims Public outrage over the shooting quickly and family members confronted Loughner, ensued. Of course, there was unity in including Mark Kelly (Giffords’ husband); Ron Congress condemning the shooting and in Barber, a former Giffords’ staffer who was strong support of Giffords. However, there shot in the cheek and thigh during the attack was also polarization of the Democrat and and later won election to Giffords’ seat when Republican parties and its subsequent effect she stepped down; and Mavy Stoddard, on the public. In addition, abundant attention whose husband died shielding her from was placed on the harsh political climate and bullets. Pima County prosecutors retained violent tinged rhetoric across the nation. discretion to seek the death penalty against Some pundits blamed members of the Loughner if the state files charges against political right-wing for the shooting; in him. particular, was implicated because of gun-related metaphors in her CLAIMS-MAKING ABOUT THE TUCSON speeches and her political action committee’s SHOOTING website which "targeted" the districts of Giffords and other Democratic members of This section considers the three claims Congress with images of crosshairs on an that competed in the media over the Tucson electoral map. Some defended Palin by massacre: 1) gun control v. the right to carry observing that Loughner was an anarchist guns; 2) political ideology; and 3) the mental who despised all politicians regardless of illness of the shooter. their affiliation (Cohen 2011; Przybyla 2011). Almost immediately three competing Gun Control v. The Right to Carry Guns claims emerged: (1) gun control v. Second Almost immediately, gun control Amendment right to bear arms; (2) the advocates began placing the blame on the mental illness of the shooter, and (3) the relaxed laws allowing easy accessibility of

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firearms. Gun control activists began pushing and/or Local law. I understand that a person for increased restrictions on the sale of who answers “yes” to any of the questions firearms and ammunition, especially high- 11.b through 11.k is prohibited from capacity ammunition magazines. They argue purchasing or receiving a firearm unless the that such ammunition is designed specifically person also answers “yes” to question 12. I for killing multiple victims and that the law- also understand that making any false oral or abiding public does not have need for such written statement or exhibiting any false or ammo, and consequently, that ammunition misrepresented identification with respect to should be restricted. Even so, in states with this transaction is a crime punishable as a the most strict gun laws (e.g., ) felony under Federal laws, and may also hand guns are permitted for self defense in violate State and/or local laws. I further homes and businesses. understand that the repetitive purchase of Second Amendment supporters fired back firearms for the purpose of resale for that people –not guns– kill other people. It livelihood and profit without a Federal was widely reported after the shooting that firearms license is a violation of law” (United Loughner had legally obtained the handgun States Department of Justice. Bureau of used in the shooting. He bought the 9 Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives millimeter gun from Sportsman’s Warehouse 2012). on November 30th, 2010 (Doar 2011). Sportsman’s Warehouse completed their However, since he lied on the form, obligation as required by law; they accepted technically he did not purchase it legally. By the application as sworn statements and ran lying, he committed a felony. This store is a the background check (NICS) in good faith federally licensed firearm dealer (FFL). As (Doar 2011). A week after six people were such, it is required to obtain an ATF form killed and fourteen wounded, Tucson, 4473 for every firearm sold. The form ironically, hosted a gun show at the Pima secures personal data about each buyer. County Fairgrounds. The Crossroads of the Then the data is used to execute a NICS West Gun Shows of Arizona was advertised (National Instant Criminal System) as fun for the whole family, with M-16s, background check. AK47s and funnel cakes. It attracted Question 11.e on the current ATF Form thousands of firearm enthusiasts and entice 4473 states as follows: “Are you an unlawful more people than any other gun shows in user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any America. One can bring his or her guns and depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or buy, sell and trade at hundreds of displays to any other controlled substance?” If the satisfy the demands of everyone who potential purchaser answers “yes” to any of attends. No loaded firearms and no loaded the sub-questions (i.e., A-L) on Question 11, magazines are permitted in any Crossroads he or she is not legally permitted to buy a Gun Show. firearm. Loughner must have answered “no” Gun advocates argue that criminals will to this question; his background was checked not be honest in their gun purchases. without raising any red flags. Later it was Consequently, more or stricter gun laws will revealed that Loughner smoked marijuana on not alleviate gun violence since criminals will a regular basis (Belleville 2011). not obey the law. Accordingly, there is no Furthermore, he was refused admission into way to stop deadly shootings. Gun advocates the U.S. Army because of this admitted seem to imply or explicitly state that the addiction (Thompson 2012). occasional shooting is the price we pay for ATF Form 4473 continues: “I certify that Second Amendment freedom. my answers to Section A are true, correct, and complete… I understand that answering Political Ideology “yes” to question 11.a. if I am not the actual Others felt that the root of the heinous buyer, it is a crime punishable as a felony crime was political ideology. Gabriel Giffords under Federal law and may also violate State is a Democrat, the political party the target of

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hate speech by right-wing Republicans, Tea publishers in New York" (Regnery 2012). Party supporters, and ultra-conservative talk Regnery has become notable for the well- show personalities. This included, but was known authors of its books– in addition to not limited to, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh columnist Michelle Malkin, former Republican and . Thus the shooter was Party chairman Haley Barbour, Ann Coulter, inspired by violence-laden speech to commit former Speaker of the United States House mass violence. of Representatives and 2012 Republican Sarah Palin placed a map of the United presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, States on the website of her Political Action commentator Robert Spencer, pundit David Committee showing the whereabouts of Horowitz and Barbara Olson. The twenty Democratic politicians who needed to conservative publishing firm has also become be replaced, including Gabrielle Giffords. striking because of its penchant for political When Palin used, in her own words, controversy with a high profile on the national "bullseye icons" (that is, gun sights) –the stage. argument continues– she essentially Progressive voices have responded to this committed an act of criminal incitement type of right-wing rhetoric. Two examples (Democratic Underground 2011). follow: (1) New York Times columnist Paul The map stated: “Don’t Retreat, Reload.” Krugman and (2) journalist John Wright Palin supporters became indignant over the (2012). accusations, accusing the political left of stated: using the massacre for political reasons. The “I remembered the upsurge in NRA and right-wing pundits blamed liberals political hatred after… Clinton’s and gun-control advocates of tapping this election in 1992– an upsurge that tragedy to promote the political agenda of culminated in the Oklahoma City restricting gun sales and consequently bombing… you could see… by violating the Second Amendment– the right watching the crowds at McCain-Palin to bear arms. After all, where were the left rallies… it was ready to happen wing calls for gun control considering the again.… it’s the saturation of our huge number of people killed individually in political discourse–… especially our schools or drive-by shootings? Just because airwaves– with… rhetoric that lies such types of gun violence are much more behind the rising… violence. Where’s common than mass shooting, Palin’s staff that… rhetoric coming from? ...the claimed that the targeted list of Democratic right. It’s hard to imagine a politicians did not imply guns and to suggest Democratic member of Congress otherwise is appalling and obscene. urging constituents to be “armed and Pseudo academics have also joined in the dangerous” without being ostracized; toxic political right-wing rhetoric. For but Representative Michele example, conservative author Michelle Malkin Bachmann, who did just that, is a (2009) wrote the Culture of Corruption: rising star in the GOP… there’s a Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, huge contrast in… media. Listen to Crooks, and Cronies. This volume claims that or Keith the Obama administration has had dozens of Olbermann… caustic remarks and instances of corruption (Today Books 2009). mockery aimed at Republicans. But The title refers to a political slogan (i.e., you won’t hear jokes about shooting culture of corruption) used by Democrats to government officials or beheading a refer to events that happened during the journalist at . presidency of George W. Bush. Listen to Glenn Beck or Bill O’Reilly, The Culture of Corruption was published and you will. The purveyors of hate by . They specialize in have been treated with respect, even conservative books characterized on its deference, by the GOP website as "contrary to those of 'mainstream' establishment.”

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John Wright’s The Obama Haters stimulated to ethno-violence by such rhetoric. indicated: “Though Obama’s election showed The Mental Illness of the Shooter progress, the McCain-Palin The third competing narrative is the mental campaign used smear tactics. Their illness of the shooter. “This is genocide in operators pulled out all the stops in America,” proclaimed Loughner, as he an attempt to win and spread walked through his community college falsehoods about Obama that campus videotaping one evening. He have… multiplied after the election. appeared to ramble and not make much The Obama Haters seeks to answer sense in the home video. When he first the following questions: Who are appeared in a packed courtroom, Loughner these Obama haters? Why do they was shackled and in khaki prison garb; he despise him? Why do various news appeared to smirk as he stood before the organizations, commentators, and judge. Mental illness was apparent in his political entities treat the same facts expression and demeanor. Loughner had differently? Why are these pundits so been the focus of a series of legal squabbling powerful? Wright… lays out the for nearly two years since the mass shooting. democratic principles and civility He originally plead not guilty to 49 charges toward which Americans should filed by federal prosecutors. Loughner, then a strive… he investigates the twenty-two-year-old fixated on Giffords (Allen persistent expressions of hatred 2012), has a history of drug possession for… Obama, connecting historic charges. He had also been suspended by his antecedents of political mudslinging community college for disruptive behavior. along with the background of… right- Court filings include notes allegedly wing smear tactics... he shines a… handwritten by Loughner indicating his plans spotlight on the haters and fear to kill Giffords (Chicago Sun Times 2011). mongers... While Americans have Although the motive for the shooting still the right to criticize their political remains unclear, Bryce Tierney, a close and leadership, their reasons… should long-time friend shed some light on the be based on facts. Those who invent subject (Baumann 2011). Tierney, who and repeat lies to hurt the reputation attended high school and college with of leaders weaken the democratic Loughner, claimed that Loughner held a long- ideal. This book is for anyone who standing resentment for Giffords, repeatedly wishes to learn how to cut through disparaging her as "fake." Loughner's grudge the… propaganda to make informed against Giffords deepened when he decisions based on truth.” appeared at a campaign event and she did not, in his opinion, adequately respond to a Cortese (2011) offers praise for The question he asked. Obama Haters (Wright 2011): The value of Loughner was also obsessed with "lucid this volume is calling out hate mongers dreaming"– the notion that conscious dreams before they encourage more political violence are an alternative reality in which a person such as the January 2011 tragedy in Tucson. can live and control (Baumann 2011). In effectively countering vicious lies about Loughner appeared to replace reality with President Obama, John Wright makes a this dream-like awareness, did not cooperate strong case for recognizing and marginalizing with authorities and appealed to his right to potentially dangerous hate speech thinly remain silent (CNN Staff 2011). Based on veiled as free speech. The words we choose two independent psychiatric evaluations that to use color our world and perceptions and diagnosed Loughner as schizophrenic, a influence our behavior. Even when there is judge ruled Loughner incompetent to stand an absence of incitement to violence, there trial (CNN 2011). Despite protests by his are those whose inner psyches are defense team, Loughner was forcibly

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medicated to control his mental illness and required all firearms (hand guns, render him fit for trial. shot guns, rifles) be stored “unloaded or disassembled or The Brady Bill bound by a trigger lock.” The Brady Bill (Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act), signed into law by President These problematic issues must be Clinton on November 23, 1993, also needs to overcome in new legislation. be revisited. The Bill was named in honor of Press Secretary, James Brady, who, during The in , an assassination attempt on President Scotland Reagan, was shot by John Hinckley and Perhaps we can take a cue on gun reform permanently paralyzed. It requires a five-day from the United Kingdom. The awful mass waiting period to do a background check murder of a group of young children and their before a gun could be purchased. The five- teacher was one of Britain's most tragic gun day waiting period stipulated by the Act has violence events (Cusick 1996). The now expired with the NICS permitting instant massacre shocked the country– perhaps background checks. The five-day waiting even the world. Then the country took steps period needs to be reinstated since 25 to prevent a repeat calamity happening percent of those banned from owning again. firearms are not in the centralized electronic On March 13, 1996, between 9:20 and system and must be search for manually. It 9:25 A.M., a forty-three-year-old former Scout would not be unusual to run out of time leader, carrying four automatic , before locating files indicating a person not passed through the gates of a primary school legally permitted to buy a gun. Moreover, in the Scottish town of Dunblane (Cusick there should be multiple independent 1996). At 9:30, Thomas Hamilton put on ear assessments of as a check for protectors used to mute gun fire, rushed into examining whether a person is mentally and the gymnasium and chased students, emotionally stable enough to purchase, shooting at them until they fell. Hamilton shot possess, carry a concealed weapon and fire and killed 15 children, five-to-six-year-olds, in a firearm. a shower of bullets. One died later in the Another major loophole that would have to hospital. Their teacher, Gwen Mayor, a forty- be closed for effective gun control reform is four-year-old mother of two, was killed in the that only dealers who had been licensed by attack trying to save her students. Two other the Treasury Department to sell arms to teachers were also seriously injured as they private individuals were required to carry out attempted to shield children. With a self- this check. Successful reform requires inflicted gunshot, Hamilton then mortally background checks for all firearms sales. wounded himself. There are also hurdles of unconstitutionality Some students knew him. One recalled imposed by the Supreme Court that block Hamilton as a fellow passenger in his gun reform. mother’s car. The narrative described The Supreme Court has stopped key Hamilton as a loner obsessed with guns and elements of gun reform: young boys, sleazy, and alienated from 1. Ruling hand gun ownership society (Cusick 1996). It is claimed that he constitutional– exemplary of arms held a grudge against scouting and the within the context of the of Secord community after police interrogated him Amendment (right to keep and bear regarding inappropriate behavior to boys in arms); his care. Nevertheless, Hamilton had a 2. Striking down Washington D.C.’s permit to own handguns, including the ones gun reform act as unconstitutional. with which he used to kill at the school. 3. Revoking the argument that guns The massacre, presumably the worst case must be unloaded. This proposal of gun violence in Great Britain, had a

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considerable impact on Scotland, as well as each year. In 2010/2011 there were 11,227 the rest of the UK and around the world. offenses, 53 percent below the peak number. Stunned Dunblane residents and grieving Crimes involving handguns also declined 44 family members demanded to know how a percent from 5,549 in 2002-2003 to 3,105 in person like Hamilton could be sanctioned to 2010/11. own a gun. In the months preceding the Despite data showing declining crime shooting, an anti-gun petition signed by rates, the efficacy of Britain's gun laws has nearly three-quarters of a million people was been called into question. The most submitted to the government that, in turn, prominent mass shooting occurred in established an investigation of gun laws and northern England in 2010 (Cusick 1996). A protection of the public. lone gunman killed 12 people in a four-hour In 1987, another lone gunman killed shooting spree in rural Cumbria. After a vast another 16 people in the dragnet, the body of 52-year-old taxi driver massacre. Britain subsequently introduced Derrick Byrd was found alongside two legislation –the Firearms (Amendment) Act powerful rifles, one equipped with a 1988– requiring registration for shotgun telescopic sight. Data reveal a slight but ownership and and the banishment of semi- significant decline in the use of firearms since automatic and pump-action weapons. Within Dunblane. The murder rate has decreased a year-and-a-half of the Dunblane massacre, and signs are heading down the right path. lawmakers had passed a ban on the private The decline in gun crime reflects new ownership of all handguns in mainland legislation combined with improved law Britain– perhaps the toughest anti-gun enforcement techniques against gangs. Gun legislation in the world (Cusick 1996). control is not a panacea for mass shootings. Firearm amnesties throughout the country The quagmire of gun use remains and while resulted in the voluntary forfeiture of tighter gun control alleviates risk on an thousands of firearms and rounds of incremental basis, a substantial amount of ammunition. weapons persists in Britain. There were about 200,000 legally registered handguns in Britain before the CONCLUSION ban, most owned by sports shooters. Refiles used for target shooting were banned as well There is little to suggest that Loughner as .22 caliber handguns. Penalties for was influenced by the rhetoric of possession of illegal firearms range from conservative talk show hosts such as Russ heavy fines to a ten-year prison term. It is Limbaugh or extreme right-wing evident that gun reform emerged because of conservatives and Tea Party politicians such the two tragic mass shootings in consecutive as Sarah Palin. We do not know whether he years. The public generally supported the watched those types of programs or read ban and saw no need for guns. This reveals such types of literature. Loughner appears to a huge disparity between the British be an anarchist who is deeply disturbed and disconnect with guns and U.S. gun culture. mentally ill with schizophrenia. He was out of Nevertheless, libertarians stated that the ban touch with reality at the time of the shooting deprived legitimate sports shooters of their and living in a dream-like trance through lucid avocation, and demonized and scapegoated dreaming. The narration of the late night them. A limited ban will never solve a video he made as he walked through the complicated problem. Accordingly, handgun campus of his community college shows the crime will continue and probably grow. strain in his voice and how deeply disturbed The ban initially appeared to have little he was at that time. He proclaimed, “This is effect; the number of crimes involving guns in genocide in America,” reflecting a England and Wales rose heavily during the persecution complex. late 1990s to peak at 24,094 offenses in Loughner showed his disdain for authority 2003/04. Since then the number has fallen in through the smirk on his face when standing

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in front of the judge while receiving the five collective amnesia after such tragic mass charges against him and in his video where shootings– that people will soon forget. The he sarcastically remarks to an instructor: rhetoric is repeated: gun control not the “Thanks for giving me a B.” He was a burning answer. The issue of gun control gets fuse in the midst of hate rhetoric toward diffused. For example, in the aftermath of the President Obama, his administration and Tucson shooting, claims for greater gun Congress. Loughner resided in Tucson, the control were dispersed in a discussion of same city as Giffords, the closest and most competing claims, including political hate convenient target on Palin’s congressional rhetoric and the mental illness of the shooter. map. The target just happened to be Congress, especially the Senate, is under someone that he believed insulted him in the influence of NRA lobbyists and will not public by not sufficiently responding to his pass any legislation that may limit Second question. In his view, this caused Loughner Amendment rights. This begs the question: to lose face– causing public shame and What will it take to reform gun control? humiliation. Although right-wing rhetoric may Perhaps it will occur in the advent of a more not intend to instigate violence, it may serve tragic, deadlier massacre than the Tuscson to incite a psychologically disturbed individual one. to go over the edge. President Obama could issue a series of Loughner followed procedure in Executive Orders aimed at protecting private purchasing the gun used in the shooting. citizens from gun violence. However, if he Technically, he committed a felony by lying does, he will be criticized as anti-Democratic that he did not use illicit drugs (marijuana, in and dictatorial by a Republican controlled this case). Smoking marijuana, however, may House of Representatives, a NRA controlled not have caused him to commit mass Senate and a host of conservative right-wing murder. Gun laws are far too lax. They can pundits. It is important to note that even be improved by having a significant waiting Gabriel Giffords and her husband, Mark period, thorough screening using multiple Kelly, prior to the Tucson shooting, were gun psychological assessments, and limiting clips advocates, promoting responsible gun usage. to six bullets. Federally-licensed firearms Right-wing conservatives insist that claims for dealers should not accept the ATF Form gun control are nothing more than using a 4473 as a sworn statement. It is insufficiently massacre to push a political agenda that binding. Firearms dealers must be allowed to attempts to restrict Second Amendment use discretion and common sense. High- rights. The NRA fails to recognize that people capacity ammunition magazines should be in communities are affected by gun violence, banned as they are not generally used for even if they are not victims or family hunting or self-defense. They are, however, members of victims. In the Norway mass more readily used for mass murder. Another shooting and bombing in July 2011 that killed restriction is banning firearm sales through 77 people and wounded over 300 others, one Internet or postal mail sources and closing out of every four Norwegian citizens knew a the loopholes on gun show sales and victim of the massacre (Skjeseth 2013). enhancing background checks. The denial of Within the NRA, there is also a huge sale can always be appealed. disconnect between the upper echelon Without strong leadership and legal leadership and rank-and-file membership “teeth”, the ATF lacks the power to live up to (Mayors Against Illegal Guns 2012). The its mission of protecting citizens from gun latter is aligned with the majority of violence. In fact, there is no federal agency to Americans favoring background checks on all adequately address violent crime within a gun sales and banning high magazine public health agenda. The mass shooting in assault weapons. Many lawmakers, Tucson did not provide the fulcrum to change politicians and the public have called for gun policy. Members of Congress felt safe stricter gun control laws at the federal level, even after the shooting. The NRA counts on including a revisit and reinstatement of and

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improvement on the 1994 Feinstein assault Billeaud, Jacques. 2012. “Jared Loughner to weapons ban that expired in 2004. By be Sentenced after Pleading Guilty to improvement, I mean a ban on the sale, Tucson Mass Shooting.” Christian Science transfer, importation, and possession of Monitor. Retrieved November 8, 2012 from assault weapons defined as firearms with http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest- magazines that hold more than 10 bullets.1 News-Wires/2012/1108/Jared-Loughner- The bill should not be retroactive, but rather to-be-sentenced-after-pleading-guilty-to- prospective. It would be problematic to Tuscon-mass-shooting. outlaw firearms that were legally purchased. California Department of Justice. 2007. Office Any gun legislation should be introduced and of the Attorney General. California eventually passed in both venues– Senate Firearms and Ammunition Law. Retrieved and the House. The disproportionately high November 9, 2012 from http://ag.ca.gov/ number of mass shootings in the United firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf. States is an indication that our laws are Chicago Sun Times. 2011. “Suspect in excessive on individual freedom but short on Arizona Massacre: ‘I Planned Ahead’”. individual responsibility and social welfare. Retrieved October 26, 2012 from http:// The tipping point or fulcrum to reform gun www.suntimes.com/3228379-417/giffords- laws in the United States has decidedly come born-chances-commands-described.html. through the Tucson massacre. It has CNN. 2011. "Judge: Loughner Not undoubtedly taken this atrocity to once again Competent to Stand Trial in Arizona spark the serious gun reform debate. Shootings.” Retrieved October 27, 2012 from http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/ END NOTE 25/judge-loughner-not-competent-to- stand-trial/. 1 The 1994 bill defined assault weapons as CNN Wire Staff. 2011. "Police 'Actively guns with clips that held more than 4 Pursuing' Second Person in Tucson bullets– putting an end to the majority of Shooting." CNN. January 8, 2011. semi-automatic pistols and that Retrieved November 27, 2012 from are typically used with magazine capacity http://us.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/08/ of four to seven bullets. This excludes a arizona.shooting/. bullet that can be placed in the chamber. Cohen, Tom. 2011. "Democrats face tough fight on gun control after Tucson References shootings". CNN. January 17, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2012 from Allen, Jonathan. 2012. "Gabrielle Giffords' http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/ future is up in the air a year after Tucson 16/congress.gun.control/index.html. shooting.” . Retrieved October 26, Cortese, Anthony. 2011. Praise for The 2012 from http://www.politico.com/news/ Obama Haters (back cover). The Obama stories/0112/71169.html. Haters: Behind the Right-Wing Campaign Baumann, Nick. 2011. “Exclusive: Loughner of Lies, Innuendo and Racism, John Friend Explains Alleged Gunman's Grudge Wright. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books. Against Giffords”. Mother Jones. Retrieved Cusick, James.1996. “He Must Have Chased October 27, 2012 from http://www.mother The Pupils All Over The Place, Shooting jones.com/politics/2011/01/jared-lee-lough At Them Till They Fell: Death In ner-friend-voicemail-phone-message. Dunblane.” March 14, 1996. Retrieved Belleville, Russ. 2011. Arizona Shooter October 21, 2012 from http://www. Loughner Used Marijuana… So What?” independent.co.uk/news/he-must-have- Huffington Post. Retrieved October 26, chased-the-pupils-all-over-the-place- 2012 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ shooting-at-them-til-l-they-fell- russ-belville/post_1540_b_806435.html. 1341854.html.

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Democratic Underground. 2011. “Palin Mayors Against Illegal Guns. 2012. “New Poll Staffer Calls Using Tragedy to Score Of NRA Members By Frank Luntz Shows Political Points ‘Obscene’.” Democratic Strong Support For Common-Sense Gun Underground. January 9, 2011. Retrieved Laws, Exposing Significant Divide October 5, 2012 from http://www.demo Between Rank-And-File Members and craticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.p NRA Leadership.” Retrieved July 31, 2012 hp?az=view_all&address=433x588274. from http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns. Doar, Rob. 2011. “Jared Loughner did not org/html/media-center/pr006-12.shtml. legally obtain a gun.” RobDoar. January The New York Times. 2011."Criminal 12, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2012 Complaint Against ". from http://robdoar.com/jared-loughner- Retrieved October 26, 2012 from did-not-legally-obtain-a-gun. http://documents.nytimes.com/criminal- Henslin, James M. 2008. Social Problems (8th complaint-against-jared-lee-loughner. ed.). NY: Prentice Hall. Przybyla, Heidi. 2011. "Giffords Shooting in Holloran, Liz. 2011. “A Scramble to Control Arizona May Cool U.S. Political Rhetoric, Narrative of Tucson Massacre.” National Hurt Palin". Bloomberg. Retrieved October Public Radio. NPR. 2011. Retrieved 19, 26, 2012 from http://www.bloomberg.com/ 2012 from http://m.npr.org/story/ news/2011-01-09/lawmakers-urge-end-to- 132839585. political-rhetoric-after-tucson-shootings. Keefer, Michael and Sean Holstege. 2012. html. “Giffords, Others Confront Loughner at Skjeseth, Alf. 2011. “1 av 4 kjenner rammed” Tucson Sentencing.” USA Today. (1 in 4 know victims). Klassekampen. November 9, 2012. Retrieved November August 18. Retrieved November 5. 2012 9, 2012 from http://www.usatoday.com/ from http://klassekampen.no/59186/article/ story/news/nation/2012/11/08/loughner- item/null/1-av-4-kjenner-rammede. sentencing-tucson-shooting-giffords/ Skiba, Katherine. 2011. "Gun Lobby Stands 1691239. Firm in Opposing Obama's ATF Nominee: Krugman, Paul. 2011. “Paul Krugman: Toxic Chicago Gang Fighter Called Wrong rhetoric creating climate of hate.” Dayton Choice To Head Agency." Chicago Daily News. January 11, 2011. Retrieved Tribune. Retrieved September 24, 2012 October 24, 2012 from http://www.dayton from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/ dailynews.com/news/lifestyles/philosophy/ 2011-02-16/news/ct-met-atf-gun-lobby- paul-krugman-toxic-rhetoric-creating- 0217-20110216_1_street-gangs-insane- climate-of-1/nMnG6/. deuces-andrew-traver. Lacey, Marc. 2011. "Evidence Points to Spector, Malcolm and John I. Kitsuse. 1977. Methodical Planning". The New York Constructing Social Problems. San Times. January 9, 2011. Retrieved Francisco: Cummings Publishing October 26, 2012 from http://www.nytimes. Company. com/2011/01/10/us/10giffords.html?_r=1&I Thompson, Mark. 2011. “How Marijuana Use SSN0362-4331. Aborted Jared Loughner's Military Career.” Malkin, Michelle. 2009. Culture of Corruption: Time. Retrieved October 26, 2012 from Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8 Crooks, and Cronies. Washington, D.C.: 599,2041634,00.html. Regnery Publishing. Today Books. 2009. "Michelle Malkin: Manis, Jerome G. 1976. Analyzing Social Obama's Team Is Corrupt." MSNBC. July Problems. NY: Praeger. 29, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2012 from http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32174 484/ns/today-today_books/#.ULFuSaUbc eM.

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United States Department of Justice. “About Wright, John. 2011. The Obama Haters: ATF.” Retrieved September 3, 2012 from Behind the Right-Wing Campaign of Lies, http://www.atf.gov/content/About/about-atf. Innuendo and Racism. Dulles, VA: United States Department of Justice. Bureau Potomac Books. of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 2012. Firearms Transaction Record Part I (ATF Form 4473). Retrieved October 26, 2012 from http://www.atf.gov/ forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf.

Stories of Old-Time Oklahoma By David Dary ISBN 978-0806141817

Do you know how Oklahoma came to have a panhandle? Did you know that Washington Irving once visited what is now Oklahoma? Can you name the official state rock, or list the courses in the official state meal? The answers to these questions, and others you may not have thought to ask, can be found in this engaging collection of tales by renowned journalist-historian David Dary.

Most of the stories gathered here first appeared as newspaper articles during the state centennial in 2007. For this volume Dary has revised and expanded them– and added new ones. He begins with an overview of Oklahoma’s rich and varied history and geography, describing the origins of its trails, rails, and waterways and recounting the many tales of buried treasure that are part of Oklahoma lore.

But the heart of any state is its people, and Dary introduces us to Oklahomans ranging from Indian leaders Quanah Parker and Satanta, to lawmen Bass Reeves and Bill Tilghman, to twentieth-century performing artists Woody Guthrie, Will Rogers, and Gene Autry. Dary also writes about forts and stagecoaches, cattle ranching and oil, outlaws and lawmen, inventors and politicians, and the names and pronunciation of Oklahoma towns. And he salutes such intellectual and artistic heroes as distinguished teacher and writer Angie Debo and artist and educator Oscar Jacobson, one of the first to focus world attention on Indian art.

Reading this book is like listening to a knowledgeable old- timer regale his audience with historical anecdotes, “so it was said” tall tales, and musings on what it all means. Whether you’re a native of the Sooner State or a newcomer, you are sure to learn much from these accounts of the people, places, history, and folklore of Oklahoma.

Award-winning writer David Dary is retired as head of what is now the Gaylord College of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma. He has published numerous articles on the Old West and the plains region and authored eighteen previous books, including Cowboy Culture, True Tales of the Prairies and Plains, and Frontier Medicine.

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