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Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

Copyright, 2014
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June 13, 2016
Judge Tom
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Will the Pulse massacre make a difference?

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Orlando shooting

On June 12, 2016, history was made in the United States. Unfortunately, not the kind of historic event we can celebrate, but rather a continuation of the violence that we have become accustomed to. A lone shooter turned the Pulse, a gay night club in Orlando, Florida into a killing field. Over one hundred people were shot by an assault rifle in the hands of a twenty-nine year old male – forty-nine people died. Most victims were in their twenties and thirties. The shooter was shot and killed by the police at the scene.

The point of this post is to, once again, promote reasonable gun legislation – not rescind the Second Amendment or ban individual ownership of guns. The shooter’s identity adds nothing to the argument that common sense gun control restrictions are needed.

In light of the Orlando massacre, what do you think are the chances that Congress will take a hard look at the issues surrounding gun control in America? Are assault rifles and clips with unlimited bullet capacities necessary? Should anyone be able to purchase weapons of war without mandatory background checks? Should the current loopholes in federal law, including online and gun show sales, be allowed to continue?

These are subjects worth discussing and debating. Any one of us, at any time and anywhere, can become a victim of gun violence whether directly or through a family member or friend. Victims are victims. As we saw three years ago in Newtown, Connecticut, even the youngest among us can be targeted. Congress turned a blind eye toward reasonable gun legislation and their inaction is expected to continue. After all, what is more important to our representatives in Washington, D.C. — their  livelihood and future in politics, or the lives of twenty children? We all know the answer.

 

gun violenceLGBT youth rightsSecond Amendmentweapons
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Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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