Of the six measures considered paramount for effective gun control — assault weapons ban, restrictions on ammunition and gun modifications, restrictions related to mental health and domestic violence, age 21 for gun purchases, and universal background checks — Massachussetts has five, Rhode Island four, Connecticut and New York all six.
These states also have the lowest rate of firearm deaths in the country: five or less per 100,000. (That is similar to the rate of traffic deaths in Massachusetts even though many more people drive cars than own guns.)
What exactly do the “responsible gun owners” at Saturday’s pro-gun rally want? To undo all this? Do they long for the sound of gunfire in our schools, parks, and concert venues so that we can be like other states?
Leyden’s chief of police should be ashamed of himself. Most police departments favor gun restrictions because it makes their job easier if fewer citizens have guns and since they are among the statistics of those who die from gun violence. Yet this man wants citizens to arm themselves so that they can help him do his job. What do the good people of Leyden pay him for?
“Responsible gun owners” also need to be responsible citizens. They need to inform themselves completely about gun violence — the statistics, not their personal fears, pleasures, or pledge to be “responsible” — and think about whether their right to carry a front-loading musket in an organized militia (as guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment) trumps American citizens’ basic right to “life,” which predates the Constitution since it is demanded by our Declaration of Independence.
Kathe Geist
Charlemont