We must do something. Here is a copy of the letter I sent to all Washington’s representatives:
In January 2011, I wrote you a letter conveying my deep concerns about the use of assault rifles in today’s world. I wrote you a second letter in June 2012 after the horrific murders in Aurora, Colorado. Now it is December 2012, and I am compelled to write you again. Tragically, I have seen no progress in addressing this issue, and this time it was 20 small children who were gunned down.
As I said in my original letter, I support the Second Amendment — but only as it was originally intended. The authors of our Constitution intended that citizens have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Second Amendment does not give anyone the “right” to deprive 20 children of a long a productive life, deprive their teachers to their liberty to work in a safe environment, and deprive their parents of the exquisite happiness in raising a child.
Please re-read my letter:
The tragedy of the rampage in [Tucson][ Colorado] Connecticut was not “unexpected”. Assault weapons are designed for one purpose only — to kill human beings.
As long as these weapons of mass destruction are available to people, human beings will be killed by them. These deaths are “crazy”, but not because crazy people caused them. They are crazy because our Congress fails their constituents and allows anyone, crazy or not, to possess such weapons.
The Second Amendment was written in a time when “arms” were flintlock rifles. I fully support the right of every American to possess a flintlock rifle. I DO NOT support the crazy idea that assault weapons are part of the Second Amendment rights.
Please be a leader in Congress to ban assault weapons.
Again, I am asking that you recognize your responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens — especially the rights of our children — to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The children in Connecticut were denied those rights.
Sincerely,
Barbara Bentley
Bravo! It seems very important, in the national debate, to clarify our terms. “Assault weapons” are the focus, or should be, for our best efforts to control/banish/eliminate guns in our country.
Barbara, I agree and will be glad to join you on this issue.
Good job! I couldn’t agree more and plan to write to every legislator including President Obama. I believe with all my heart that it is imperative now to take an absolutely firm and unmovable stand on these issues that this horror has brought to the surface. Like serious and effective gun control and financial support for programs of public service that have all but disappeared for lack of funding, like mental health programs and all the others that serve to support the well-being of our citizens. There can be no more,”well, maybe someday”‘s. That “someday” is here. We must say,”No Freaking More!” And stand behind it with all our strength. This is the day! Now is the time!This stops Now!
I was trying to compose a letter to Orcas Issues stating the very same sentiment, but the above letter by Barbara is succinct and says it all. As an educator, I have seen numerous students in my classes (as a former college professor) that have exibited behavioral problems, and from my perspective most issues start in the home with the lack of parental guidance. The media is also to blame with it’s addiction to violent “games” of mayhem via the internet. Exposure to media violence leads to desensitizing young minds and glamorizing the negative aspects of being a human being. Even grown adults somehow feel the need to go out into the woods and vicariously kill each other with little balls of paint. Have these same adults ever heard of the PUBLIC LIBRARY as a means of entertainment? But I’m probably in the minority because the “games” seem to have a large audience, otherwise they wouldn’t be promoted. Sad.
Assault weapons are for one thing only…to kill other human beings. They’re not needed for recreational hunting. And they’re certainly not needed to become a mature, healthy, and expressive adult.
Just read that NRA plans to issue statement on Friday. Since they are so gd powerful I’m praying they make an intelligent and responsible statement.
Well said, Barbara!
It’s totally rediculous that a lot of americans have assault weapons! In addition, an ongoing amt of violence folks see on computer, TV, movie and store games in addition to children gun toys creates more fight or kill thinking.
Barbara,
While I understand your thoughts on gun control, let me ask you this one question…..
If a criminal is not willing to obey the law what makes you think they will obey giving up their weapons?
If you look at the cities that have banned permits for guns you will see that they have a high crime rate. May I also ask should we ban cell phones due to people and many islanders who text or talk while driving?
How about the ban on alcohol due to drunk drivers?
Where does the banning stop?
I will not argue guns or not with you what I will ask is where does it stop. Banning driving cars altogether?
Maybe asking our nation what do we need to do to prevent those who are mentally ill more treatment? Maybe we need to stop ignoring the real truths…..
Are guns the problem or are people the problem.
Again I will state that if we blame the guns for the deaths than we need to blame forks for obesity, porn for child molesters, and cars for drunk drivers…OR MAYBE WE NEED TO START TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY IN THE HOMES…….
Melissa –
In answer to your questions:
1. If fewer guns were available, it would be harder for a criminal to get access to a gun. What’s wrong with that?
2. The purpose of cell phones is communication — a good thing. The purpose of assault weapons is to kill people. If people used the items for the purpose for which they were designed, assault weapons would continue kill people.
3. We already have substantial and effective laws restricting the use of alcohol. These laws exist because abuse of alcohol can lead to killing people — whether by drunk drivers, domestic abuse, or liver damage. Why can’t we have similar laws restricting the use of assault weapons to reduce the chances of killing people with assault weapons?
4. We definitely need to increase our care and concerns for the mentally ill. This is a matter of compassion, not gun control.
5. A ban on assault weapons would have no effect on those people who take responsibility in their own homes. Those people would not own assault rifles.
Barbara,
1. If fewer guns were available only those criminals and unlawful will own them….For example those who live in countries where guns are illegal for all citizens except the regimes… criminals have access to guns that you and I are unable to get now….DO you really think that making a law to not have assault weapons will make those criminals just say” oppps I can’t own this gun as the law states its bad” REALLY……….
2. The use of cell phones while driving has killed more children, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, and families than assault weapons… as has drunk driving and yet still people use cell phones and drink and drive although don’t they have a law against both….
3. again the drunk drivers kill more people than guns a year…..laws are there and there are those people who still do it……hmmmm see a pattern here.
4.I agree with you, many of these killings could have been prevented, medical issues are on the rise and an increase in awareness and help is key.
5.you are wrong, this ban would affect so many gun owners. Why should we take away specific guns from those that obey the law. Again it is like banning all cell phones and cars due to assault charges from deaths…
Is the issue really about guns or the lack of control, morals, and accountability for human life. My thoughts for tougher laws are important. But to ban specific guns due the stupidity of a few is the gate way to loosing many other rights.
Laws only affect those who abide by them, that is why we still have drunk drivers, meth addicts and cell phone usage while driving and yes all those do go on here on orcas…….
Banning only allows criminals to have what is banned,………that is proven in our history, Europe, India, Iraq, Africa and in many other nations where the guns are banned and only criminals have them…..
I think the real question to ask is, which reality do you want to live in? In an atmosphere of peace and tranquality, where people can run and play and work without fear? Or, would you rather strap on your gun and holster peering around every corner for the bad guys? Simple question: Mayberry or the Wild West? If we must live with guns strapped to our side, perhaps our Forefathers experiment of self-government has proven to be a failure. Perhaps our culture has become so self-destructive, greedy, and self-absorbed that we’ve actually failed. Perhaps, but I don’t think so. Sensible gun laws makes the most sense to me. And I don’t want to have to carry a weapon when I substitute teach. Anyone have a problem with that?
I agree Angelica. In my perfect world there would be no need for guns. Medical would be free. Kids would be safe. There would be no drugs,drunk drivers, violence of any kind. That would be my perfect world too. Sadly it is not. Nor do I wait for the next bad guy. Lol. I am however not going to rely on others to protect my family.
That world wasn’t so long ago. I remember it; it was the 1950’s. The world is safe, it’s our violence-addicted society that isn’t. I don’t want to take away your right to self-protect. Nor do I want to deny you the right to hunt. What I don’t want is to see my neighbor walking down the street toting an automatic weapon with a 100 round clip dangling from its holder. Nothing will change if we don’t try. And we won’t live in peace or tranquality if we’re focused on war, violence, and attack. I’m convinced that guns in school is the last thing our precious children need.