A Modest Proposal for a New Constitutional Right: The Right Not to be Murdered . . .

The Right Not to Be Murdered with a Semiautomatic Weapon

In the richest, most powerful land in the history of the world,

You don’t have the right to food, shelter, basic medical care . . .

But you do have the right to own and use a powerful killing machine.

You can carry it in your pocket, your holster,

In your car or pick-up,

You can carry it into a church and murder

15-month-olds, 77-year-olds, a dozen children,

A pregnant woman and the unborn child she is bearing.

The woman you are shooting also bears arms, the arms,

Legs, hands, feet, heart, and brain of the future,

Of hope.

This does not have to be.

And those offering only “thoughts and prayers,”

Forget that we are the hands and feet of God.

“There is nothing we can do”

Is a dangerous lie!

We know what we can do—

Let’s get started right now!

Bob Coughlin / November 7, 2017