Posted by Pete DeLaunay on Dec 12, 2018
Two knowledgeable debaters gave Rotarians a lot to think about when it comes to gun ownership, gun violence, mental health, and the carnage caused by weapons in the wrong hands. Well known conservative radio commentator John Carlson said increased penalties for those who steal guns, easing confinement standards for the mentally ill, practical ways to prevent mentally ill people from having guns and suicide prevention measures will reduce gun violence.  Former Rotarian, Gen. Peter Chiarelli (ret.) put the need for sensible gun regulation in context with the 2nd Amendment, advocating for the power of the state to license gun ownership and to regulate the type of guns sold to prevent homicidal carnage.
Past President and fellow Rotarian Mark Wright moderated the program that brought thoughtful comments to the forefront, from our two debaters and Rotarians in attendance with their questions from brief table talk discussions.  Past President Mark said there are some 300 million guns in the U.S. with a constitutional guarantee for gun ownership. “We want to come back from the fringes,” he said, “by focusing on what we can do to bring sensible gun control into play.”   Each debater was then given five minutes to provide an overview of their position, followed by questions that flowed from table talks.
 
General Chiarelli, who has dedicated his retirement years to reducing the high rate of suicide among veterans, put the 2nd Amendment in context. “The founders regarded a Militia and the right of the people to keep and bear Arms a predicate to defend their homes,” he said. “While we no longer need a Militia, the right to keep arms is not being infringed when objectives are set for sensible gun regulation."
 
John Carlson countered by stating how regulation of guns, in fact, infringes on ownership, and that the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court agrees with him. “Gun ownership has increased 50% since 1993, yet violent crime has decreased by 50%,” he said. “Part of the solution is how we treat those who do misuse guns from "three strikes, you're out" sentencing to suicide prevention. A presidential commission could create criteria for those who are mentally ill and should not be granted the right to buy a gun.”
 
“It is impossible to determine who is mentally ill and not capable of having a gun,” the General said. “When 92% of the American people want sensible gun laws, we still have loopholes as people in the U.S. are 25 times more likely to die from gun violence than other parts of the world.  Why can someone buy a gun with a 100-round magazine?
 
John Carlson insisted that reducing multi-magazine gun sales or safe storage would not be as effective as “hammering people who illegally obtain guns, so we must stigmatize those who get guns illegally.”
 
Our debaters each provided a written overview of their position on gun violence and control prior to the program.
 
Former Seattle #4 Rotarian General Peter Chiarelli (ret.) provided his view about gun control, With Freedom Comes Responsibility.   Conservative commentator John Carlson wrote the following Op-Ed in the print edition of the Wall Street Journal, February 21, 2018, Real Solutions for Curtailing Gun Violence.
 
President Cindy rang the bell followed by her signature "greet 'n' grin" with a Rotarian you don’t know.  President-elect Kim Moore followed with the day’s song, Deck the Halls accompanied by Trish Bostrom on the banjo.  George Twiss offered the days inspiration calling for “peace on earth” at a time when gun violence and malice in the other Washington seems to prevail.
 
Rotarian Jeff Snell will lead Rotarians who wish to volunteer as bell ringers for the Salvation Army’s efforts to help local families this holiday season.  Rotarians will ring bells on Thursday, December 20th, Pacific Place (600 Pine Street) in one or two hour shifts from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Contact Jeff at (206) 227-6873 or jeff@jeffsnellconsulting.com to ring a bell for good.
 
Reinforcing the good work of the Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, President Cindy invited fellow Rotarian and Wellspring Family Services CEO Heather Fitzpatrick to talk about the success of our Centennial project, the RotarySupport Center for Families, and how Wellspring is supporting the growing problem of family homelessness.  “Since 1891 the organization once known as the Bureau of Associated Families has evolved into a vital lifeline for families in the King County area,” she said. “There are 20,000 children in King County who are experiencing the many challenges of homelessness.” Data shows there were 15,000 homeless families in King County in 2014, growing to 19,000 homeless families in 2017.  Support from the SRSF helps fund services from housing to daycare, clothing and case management to give these families in need a helpful hand up.
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