We asked and you answered: This week’s poll results are in. Will sending rocket systems to Ukraine cause more tension with Russia? Will Congress enact a new assault weapons ban? Liberty Nation readers have weighed in with their opinions.
Is sending advanced rocket systems to Ukraine an escalation of tensions between Russia and the US?
Result:
- Yes: 72%
- Yes, but a necessary one: 20%
- Not really: 8%
- No: 0%
As the world marks 100 days since the launch of the attack, the Russia-Ukraine war has lasted much longer than most anticipated, especially President Vladimir Putin, who reportedly isn’t too happy about it. He has threatened retaliation if the US continues to aid his foe, and 72% of respondents to our poll think that if President Joe Biden follows through on his plan to send advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, things will just get worse between the two power houses.
America’s commander-in-chief has been wishy-washy when it comes to making a decision. During press conferences, he had said the US won’t be sending rockets to Ukraine, only to reverse his own announcement days later to promise aid, including rockets.
Liberty Nation’s Dave Patterson explained the type of rocket systems that could be sent to Ukraine:
“The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) consists of a mobile, tracked launcher with 12 highly accurate rockets fired in less than 60 seconds with a range of 186 miles. The weapon’s range would allow Ukrainian soldiers to engage Russian artillery at a safer distance than conventional howitzer-type tube artillery.”
Biden has made it clear that the help America provides Ukraine is not meant to escalate problems with Russia. “We do not seek war between NATO and Russia,” he remarked. “As much as I disagree with Mr. Putin, and find his actions an outrage, the United States will not try to bring about his ouster in Moscow.” He added that as long as the US or its allies are not attacked, American troops will not engage directly, “either by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine or by attacking Russian forces.”
The missiles provided to the Ukrainians would not have long-range capability, and therefore could not be used on targets in Russian territory, an official for the White House explained.
Will Congress enact a new “Assault Weapons” ban?
Result:
- No: 61%
- Yes: 28%
- Not sure: 11%
The recent mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which resulted in the deaths of 19 children and 2 adults as well as the gunman, has sparked another round of discussions about banning assault weapons. Will they, or won’t they? The majority of Liberty Nation’s respondents seem to think Congress won’t – or can’t – enact a new assault weapons ban, but 28% think the governing body will, and another 11% aren’t sure. Is it wishful thinking that Second Amendment rights won’t be further infringed upon, or do our poll takers think this step is just too progressive, even for some Democrats?
Biden claimed the last round of gun banning reduced the number of shootings in America. However, as LN Editor-at-Large James Fite demonstrated, that is not the case:
“And as we can see by looking at the numbers … nothing – not the National Firearms Act of 1934, the Gun Control Act of 1968, or the 1994 Brady Act and Federal Assault Weapons Ban – seems to have made a dent. Neither school shootings or mass shootings in general declined when the ban took place, nor did either immediately spike once it expired. Once again, the facts prove President Biden to be incorrect.”
Democrats have been pushing for stronger restrictions on firearms for a long time, but not all agree. There are those who suggest more effort should be put into arming officials and security guards in schools to help protect against would-be shooters. Others suggest a deeper dive into mental health and a better monitoring system for those who have violent tendencies. However, the fact of the matter remains, bad guys will find a way to get guns no matter what constraints are placed on them, and the public needs its constitutional right to bear arms.
Thank you for participating in our poll. To see previous poll results, go here.
