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It has been a month since a massacre at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, took the lives of 19 children and two adults. The information that has come out about the Uvalde police response has only spurred more questions and a growing sense of righteous rage. The initial praise of the officers' response, even publicly shared by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, has turned to disbelief. Instead of heroism, disorganization and reluctance ruled the day. And as a result, innocent lives were lost.

Gun rights remain a key issue in American political discourse. Both sides debate what those rights should look like in the modern era. Conservatives firmly believe in the Second Amendment. The right to bear arms is a fundamental aspect of the American experience. Individuals are allowed to defend themselves, their families, and their property. It is a powerful tool against those who would seek to harm and a means of protection against tyrannical governments.

The Right can and should stand firm in protecting the Second Amendment. At the same time, conservatives collectively value law enforcement and its role. The Uvalde Police Department failed to protect members of the public. Its obvious inaction harmed the overall reputation of police nationwide. It also reinforces the need for personal defense.

If stopping a bad guy with a gun only required a good guy with a gun, the story of the Uvalde tragedy would look much different. According to reports, Uvalde officers not only had plenty of manpower and firepower but also ballistic shields. If needed, they could also get a Halligan bar, which could be used to get through locked doors. But they stood there in the hallway while 19 children and two adults met a terrifying and sudden end. And now, we know the classroom was unlocked.

It took more than an hour before Border Patrol killed the gunman. This week, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said the situation could have ended in minutes. McCraw also said, "The officers had body armor; the children had none. The officers had training; the subject had none. One hour, 14 minutes, and 8 seconds. Thats how long children waited, and the teachers waited, in Room 111 to be rescued."

Placing our entire sense of safety in the hands of governmental entities is not a wise idea. Just because police officers have sworn an oath doesn't mean they will uphold it at the crucial moment.

The gun control crowd is always eager to insist on more restrictions after deranged individuals attack and kill the innocent. But the horror in Uvalde and the coordinated ineptitude of the officers involved only highlights the need for personal protection. Private gun ownership is a good thing. There are millions of responsible gun owners. They should not be discounted when a lunatic goes on a rampage. Law enforcement is not always able to arrive in time. And when they do arrive, they're not always willing to act.

It appears the majority of conservatives have not looked kindly upon the Uvalde police officers who responded at Robb Elementary on May 24. There is no reason to give anyone involved a pass. Belonging to a police department should mean intense scrutiny, because lives are on the line. "Defend the police with no questions asked" is as harmful as "defund the police." Our communities need consistent, committed members of law enforcement. And when they do wrong, they should be held accountable.

Uvalde is a reminder that other "good guys with guns" won't always act. Officers sometimes fail to do their duty. Conservatives are proud supporters of law enforcement, but there is no reason to back the blue blindly. Power can be abused, and it can also be withheld when it is needed most. Uvalde shows the incorrect use of power can have deadly consequences. Gun control advocates say otherwise, but what happened in Uvalde only serves to reinforce the need for a strong Second Amendment.

Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.

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Uvalde police failure reinforces the need for the Second Amendment - Washington Examiner