Those in Washington who we elected to serve the country need to take notice of what real leadership looks like.

Decision makers at Walmart, Kroger and Dick’s Sporting Goods, which are the nations’ largest sporting goods retailers, this week were the first to take aggressive action on gun control.

The companies have decided to raise the age limit for gun buyers. Dick’s will also stop selling assault-style weapons like the one used in the Parkland, Florida high school shooting.

In an interview with CNN’s “New Day,” Edward Stack, who is the CEO of Dick’s, said, “The hunting business is an important part of the business, no doubt about it. And we know there will be some backlash.” 

And it appears Stack is willing to risk these negative reactions to stand in solidarity with the students of the school.

“As we sat and talked about it with our management team,” Stack said. “It was — to a person — that this is what we need to do. These kids talk about enough is enough. We concluded if these kids are brave enough to organize and do what they’re doing, we should be brave enough to take this stand.”

Wow, wow, and triple wow!  A particular noun comes to my mind as to the word that would best describe this guy’s actions. Another is courage.

Stack, along with other retailers who are also making a stand seem to be willing to risk their financial bottom line in an effort to make a positive change in our country.

These acts of DECISION MAKING should serve as a role model for the men and women who hold some of the highest powers in our country.

But unfortunately, it appears they are not willing to risk rattling their big dollar lobbyists.

And with their laisse fare and lackadaisical efforts with nothing ever getting accomplished, these senators and representatives that serve in Washington seem to have less fortitude than these business owners.

I am in support of our second amendment, but I personally do not see how putting some stricter rules on gun ownership could possibly set us back.

When our forefathers thought through and wrote out the Bill of Rights, in their wildest dreams they could have never imagined a weapon like an AR-15 and that someone would use it on school students.

Gun control reform is only a piece of what needs to happen in our country to make it safe for students to go to school.

I realize I do not have all the answers of how to make things better, but I will do my part in supporting these businesses that have stood up to be a part of the change.

We the people have the power.   

    

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.