Jason Kander: Repealing this stupid law might prevent the next KC Chiefs rally shooting | Opinion

Like all Kansas Citians, I am heartbroken and angry that a day meant for celebration after our Super Bowl win turned into one filled with horror and grief. The joy and pride we felt for our city and the Chiefs’ dynasty was cruelly stolen from us in an instant. All because individuals intent on doing harm got their hands on deadly weapons.

We’re still learning the facts of what transpired and why, but we already know the underlying cause: Our laws make it far too easy for dangerous people to get guns. America’s sky-high gun homicide rate makes that indisputable.

I’m a veteran and gun owner, and I know firsthand how those behind the corporate gun lobby lie to us all. Their only goal is to sell more guns to more people, full stop. They falsely paint any reasonable effort to save people’s lives as an affront to gun owners, but the truth is, the vast majority of gun owners strongly support lifesaving policies to keep guns out of the wrong hands. In fact, most gun owners see gun safety laws as any car aficionado views laws about seat belts or speed limits: simple common sense.

Few know that because of the corporate gun lobby’s corrupt influence in Washington, the gun industry is treated differently under the law than any other. In 2005, Congress created a loophole in the law to make the firearms industry the only industry in America where irresponsible companies have this special immunity. That law — the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act or PLCAA — removes all incentives for the industry to behave responsibly when manufacturing, marketing, or selling their products that can kill dozens in seconds.

For all the chest-beating over the Second Amendment that you hear from the gun lobby and their favorite politicians, we hear very little about the Seventh Amendment. The Seventh Amendment, a cornerstone of our legal system, guarantees every citizen the right to a jury trial in cases where the claim is greater than $20. The Bill of Rights makes no exception for weapons makers.

Carmakers, food producers, children’s toy companies, and even pharmaceutical giants vigilantly work to ensure their products are safe for consumers because they know that negligence would carry severe consequences. The mere possibility of being held accountable for negligent or malicious behavior incentivizes corporations to behave responsibly. Executives are legally bound to avoid actions that would carry a high risk of liability.

But irresponsible gun makers and sellers have no such worry. They can sell more powerful guns to more people, then sit back and count their money. It’s why the gun industry has no qualms about marketing dangerous products to children, promoting weapons to violent anti-government groups, and fighting policies that would cut down on gun trafficking to gangs and drug cartels.

Since the PLCAA passed, gun deaths in America have risen by a horrifying 59%. Allow me to repeat that. Since a law you probably just found out about for the first time just now was passed, gun deaths have risen 59%.

The gun lobby is fond of saying we don’t need any more gun laws. Fine, then let’s have one fewer. Repeal PLCCA and allow communities across this country to once again hold gun makers to the same standard as literally every other company selling a product. If we do that, they’ll have no choice but to reform themselves. They’ll finally roll out smart gun technology, for a start — and given the fact that the majority of gun crime is committed with stolen guns, that’d be a heckuva start.

Whether Republican or Democrat, gun owner or not, we can all agree that suffering 43,000 gun deaths a year is unacceptable. Solving this problem should not be a political fight. The overwhelming majority of this country supports closing loopholes in the law to save lives. Honor the victims of Wednesday’s shooting by taking meaningful action. Write or call your member of Congress, cast your ballot in November, and support organizations and lawmakers working hard to stop the epidemic of gun violence. I joined Giffords Gun Owners for Safety to advocate for needed change, and I urge you to join the fight in your own way.

If Kansas Citians and Americans work together for change, we can ensure next year’s three-peat Super Bowl parade stays safe. As it should be.

Jason Kander served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. He is former Missouri secretary of state and sits on the board of directors at the nonprofit Giffords.