Sandy Hook Father: You'll Only Take My Guns "From My Cold Dead Hands"

“Unfortunately, her friend’s little sister was murdered in Sandy Hook that day when lock-down and 911 were not enough to protect her from an evil person,” Bill Stevens said of his daughter before a Working Group Public Hearing at the Connecticut State Capitol. “Charlton Heston made the phrase “From my cold dead hands” famous and I am here to tell you today, you will take my ability to protect my Victoria from my cold dead hands.”

In the politics of tragedy, victims and the relatives/friends of victims are often given absolute moral authority on the subject at hand. As long as they’re saying things that fit the political agenda of one side or the other in the debate.

The anti-gun folks have been quick to champion anyone related to Sandy Hook saying anything against gun rights. I’m guessing Mr. Stevens won’t be given that authority, however, because his opinions don’t fit the narrative.

Which illustrates a point. Going through a tragedy doesn’t make anyone more or less right about public policy. Politicians are quick to use these people as props aimed at playing on the emotions of the public, but that’s bogus. Especially when you consider that the people themselves often have very differing views.