Jeff Pardo

The constitution guarantees people the right to own guns. The constitution also guarantees people the right to attempt to marginalize those people through word, action, voting, and leadership. Slave owners never thought they'd lose their free labor. History moves forward.

The argument that a "well armed militia" that can rise up against a "tyrannical government" matters constitutionally has lost ALL meaning and context when that tyrannical government has, say...automated drones that can be controlled remotely. This could not have been foreseen.

I say the following being someone who leans Republican in many of my views....I fear the gun crisis in America will remain a crisis until we see courage and leadership on the Republican side of the aisle on this issue, and I think that is doubtful. This is sad.

One of the saddest parts the mingling of money and power in our political system is that it undermines standing up for THE RIGHT THING, even when your constituents might think it's THE WRONG THING. Guess what. Your constituents are wrong...just like they were about civil rights.

But the "on the record" response is: I support "legal gun ownership", and my constituents demand this of me, it's part of the reason I was elected to this office. Ok then. This shows you ARE NOT a leader. Your on the record/off the record answers are different.

I doubt a SINGLE U.S. Congressperson, when pressed, and off the record, would support the ownership of most guns available for purchase that are connected with mass murders like these.

Sometimes leadership is LEADING YOUR PEOPLE WHERE THEY (or the culture) DO NOT WANT TO GO RIGHT NOW, YET DOING IT ANYWAY. That's why it's called LEADING. See: almost any great leader, ever.

The shooting in Nashville today has infuriated me. I confess, maybe moreso than some others have. Maybe because it's close to home. Maybe because I have a kid. Maybe because the lack of leadership on this issue has never been so clear. More following:

I heard this question asked once, I can't remember where...but it crossed my mind again today, and felt profound.... "What are you (really) doing when you're doing what you're doing?" The truth is always in the layers underneath.

"It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it."-Billy Graham, 1981. The world lost not only a champion of faith today, but a voice of wisdom as well.

Years and years from now, I hope, I believe, I pray, there will be a day where being a defender of the right to buy semi-automatic weapons will seem as ridiculous as being a defender of the right to own slaves.

Right on, @maureendowd. mobile.nytimes.com/2018/02/1…

AMEN. xitter.cf/BethMooreLPM/status/94…

Bartlet for President. Bartlet for Senate. These days....Bartlet for ANYTHING. #westwing

Honored to have written this with Rhett and produced.....a song about where we both have been, and want to be. Released today! xitter.cf/rhettwalkerband/status…

Great to get to make some music in some different lanes....thanks Sam, Shelly, Wendy, the Resin8 team, Capitol CMG, and the CW! xitter.cf/SamTinnesz/status/9055…

My "Nashville Statement" is this: God grant me open hands, open heart, slow speaking, quick listening, grace, truth, justice, love.

Thanks guys!!! xitter.cf/CapitolCMGpub/status/9…

Some sinners put out "Nashville Statement." Some sinners are angry with "Nashville Statement." Jesus sighs and shakes his head.

Really enjoying everyone on social media this afternoon making the same "hey i have some eclipse glasses for sale" joke.