When you’re asked to write an op-ed, it’s kind of a cool moment. At least, to start with. Like anything, the awesome wears out after a while, but when you first get to write one, you want to sound as smart as you can so you can write another. Here’s a pro-tip: Don’t compare a domestic issue like gun violence to a pandemic.

Oh, I can hear you now. “No one who is intelligent enough to form human speech would do that, right?”

Ordinarily, I would agree with you. Even those screaming that gun violence is a public health crisis have been smart enough to steer clear of the word “pandemic.” I mean, it doesn’t apply in the least.

Yet, someone actually did.

We are all very well aware of the gun violence that is plaguing our nation. This is another pandemic that we must address.

See? Told ya.

Of course, this isn’t a very bright individual. Either that or they’re intentionally trying to mislead people. After all, they go on to say this:

In the Coeur d’Alene City Council meeting on June 1, Mayor Steve Widmyer stated that he does support gun violence awareness and we appreciate that.

In 2019 and 2020, Mayor Widmyer also issued a proclamation for Gun Violence Awareness Day and we truly appreciate that as well. Unfortunately, he has decided not to do so this year. He has also declined to allow our group to put up orange ribbon sashes in McEuen Park or to have the K27 Memorial lit in orange as was done last year.

Honoring people who have died should not be controversial or partisan. This is a public issue. We will continue to honor those impacted by gun violence in our community.

This is from someone who linked to BeSmartForKids.com, a project funded by Everytown For Gun Safety in America, a rabidly anti-gun organization that consistently and continually attacks our Second Amendment rights.

That would be the same organization continually pushing this whole “Gun Violence Awareness Day.”

First, is anyone unaware of violent crime, be it with a gun or other weapon? No. Great. It seems there’s no need for a special day.

Second, the fact that this is pushed by a group that consistently tries to undermine our fundamental right to keep and bear arms is why anything they try to push like this will continually be controversial. it’s never really about the victims of gun violence. It’s about Everytown trying to control a narrative.

They want people upset about gun violence, sure, but then they can say, “Oh, here’s how we can fix it,” then lay out their anti-gun agenda. That would be an agenda that manifestly does not solve gun violence. Hell, look at Mexico, Africa, or South America. Those areas all have tons of gun control laws and tons of gun violence.

Shocking, I know.

Yet Everytown wants to ignore that reality and continue to try and push.

It’s because of that stuff that we find their made-up holiday distasteful and controversial. The fact that they think it’s a pandemic is just icing on the cake, really.