And the more fanatical NRA members would be yammering about how the 2nd Amendment allows it.

At the moment however, all the NRA can do is kill an assault weapons ban that a vast majority of Americans think is necessary and worthwhile.

In fact, most congressional Republicans and Democrats also believe the weapons ban should be extended, but they're political weasels.

They've allowed the NRA to intimidate them into ignoring what the nation needs, in favor of what the NRA wants.

Contrary to popular belief, I support the 2nd Amendment.

What I don't support is the NRA's iron-fisted labeling of every reasonable effort to curb gun violence as a diabolical plot to take guns away from law-abiding citizens.

By any and all measures, the ban on semi-automatic assault rifles -- along with magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition -- has had a positive impact in the 10 years since it was passed.

But the NRA doesn't care.

The NRA's fantasy is that extending this particular ban would lead to bans on other guns -- "The Boogeyman will getcha" argument.

The NRA has gone from influencing government, to controlling it.

Some say they can live with that.

But how many others will die because of it?

Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com