Last week there was another horrific shooting that took place at a baseball field filled with Republican members of Congress and their staff. They were practicing for the annual Democrat v Republican charity baseball game.

Five people were injured, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

Mass shootings are far too commonplace in this country. In fact, this was not the only one that took place that day.

Fortunately, President Donald Trump rose to the occasion by reminding us that we are strongest when we are unified and when we work together for the common good.

Unfortunately, unity fell apart and the finger pointing began when airways from the right began shouting that the left had blood on their hands. Connections were made between the baseball field shooting and recent anti-Trump statements.

One such violent statement was made by Madonna at the Womens March in D.C. She said she thought about blowing up the White House. That triggered former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to call for her arrest.

Another act caused widespread condemnation of comedian Kathy Griffins grotesque idea of a joke. She apologized for holding up a bloody, severed head that resembled the president, and admitted she went too far. I agree she went too far, but the apology didnt stop her from losing her job. It also didnt prevent social media from lighting up with calls for her arrest.

We may never know if these inflammatory incidents influenced the shooter but the right was loudly calling for limits on free speech. No matter how disgusting we may find these statements, they dont rise to the level of being unlawful. Even though Madonna and Griffin both received a visit from the Secret Service, it seems public outcry is the main the consequence for such actions.

There are exceptions to that norm however. It seems rocker Ted Nugent may have benefited from a mountain of repugnant, hate filled statements such as, Obama suck on my machine gun. Those types of hideous comments seem to have garnered Nugent not only a place in Governor Greg Abbotts campaign, but also a dinner at the White House at Trumps invitation.

The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized very few exceptions to free speech. They include: obscenity, child pornography, defamation, incitement to violence and true threats of violence.

While I agree with the exceptions to our precious right to free speech, I also long for common sense limits to our Second Amendment rights. Limitations that would keep guns out of the hands of people that shouldnt have them like domestic abusers, felons or people who are dangerously ill or even suspected terrorists.

There have been numerous calls made for sensible restrictions, but those were always blocked by Republicans. In fact, there were unsuccessful efforts to restrict the type rifle used in this recent assault.

Even though 90 percent of Americans wanted to see expanded background checks after the Sandy Hook massacre, the GOP killed that effort.

Shortly after taking office, this administration began rolling back the Obama-era regulation that would keep guns out of the hands of people with severe mental disorders.

Since the shooting, there has been talk among Republicans of not tightening gun laws but loosening them.

As much as I want to see the hateful rhetoric end, I doubt it will. Both sides are guilty of it. Our Constitution protects speech and gun rights, yet even though Republicans scream for limits on the one, they refuse to allow any common-sense limits on the other. Sadly, thats the one that can actually kill you.

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Opinion: After shooting, calls for free speech limits but not for guns - Austin American-Statesman