Ban military style weapons again to save lives

I watched President Barack Obama deliver a speech regarding gun violence and mass murder for the 11th time during his eight years in office.

He spoke to the families, colleagues and fellow police officers of those slain in Dallas at the memorial. As I listened to his words, I thought about the failure of Congress to reinstate the ban, which expired in 2004 under the Bush administration, on assault weapons/military-style weapons.

If our Congress had acted in a responsible way and voted to continue the ban, I have to ask: Just how many would have avoided the tragic death of a family member?

Is it coincidence or the consequence of our “do-nothing” Congress? Reinstate the ban on military-style weapons and save lives.

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 8:37 PM with the headline "Ban military style weapons again to save lives."