By Chairman Matt Pinnell

"[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt." -Samuel Adams

Two days after the largest mass shooting in U.S. history, the debate over gun control returned from dormancy. The issue had gone virtually undiscussed in this year's presidential election, but that is all about to change.

While many are calling for stricter gun control laws following the tragedy, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, said even if there were stricter gun laws on the books, it might not have mattered in this case; Rightly noting that "if he couldn't have gotten access to the guns, what kind of bomb would he have manufactured?"

The following are remarks made by Darrell Scott in 1999 before the subcommittee on crime of the House Judiciary Committee. Scott's daughter, Rachel Scott, was shot and killed in the Columbine H.S. massacre. I want to share some of his deeply powerful remarks because his testimony that day in Washington, D.C. is even more true and relevant today:

"...when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs, politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that continue to erode away our personal and private liberties.

We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre.

The real villain lies within our OWN hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers.

The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched.

We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored.

We do need a change of heart and an humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God.

I wrote a poem just four nights ago that express my feelings best. This was written way before I knew l would be speaking here today.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs

Your words are empty air.

You've stripped away our heritage.

You've outlawed simple prayer.

Now gunshots fill our classrooms.

And precious children die.

You seek for answers everywhere.

And ask the question "WHY"?

You regulate restrictive laws.

Through legislative creed.

And yet you fail to understand.

That God is what we need!"

Why did James Holmes walk into that movie theatre and begin firing? It's my personal belief that Darrell Scott had the answer back in 1999.

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