[Dr. J.]

I sent the following e-mail to the committee members:

Dear Representative ( name ),

Please oppose HB 18, HB 22 and HB 29. These bills would penalize and harm law abiding citizens of Pennsylvania who choose to own and carry firearms for lawful purposes. The bills would do nothing to reduce crime, as criminals already ignore numerous federal and State laws regulating the sale, possession and use of firearms.

HB 18 would allow municipalities to adopt laws that would deny possession of firearms by those who are most vulnerable to violent crime and would lead to a myriad of local firearms laws making compliance impossible for law abiding gun owners.

HB 22, the “one gun a month” bill would harm only law abiding gun owners as laws already exist to prevent straw purchases and regulate the sale of handguns.

Finally, HB 29 would criminalize law abiding gun owners who are victims of crime, and defies common sense.

As a senior citizen and a disabled veteran, one of the reasons I chose to live in this great state is the fact that Pennsylvania laws recognize the importance of our second amendment right to defend ourselves. I beg you to protect that right on my behalf and on the behalf of all your constituents.

While I am appalled at the inability of the City of Philadelphia to protect its residents against crime, that failure should not be allowed to diminish the rights of the citizens of the State, especially those that are guaranteed by both the Pennsylvania and United States constitutions.

Please consider that rational and thoughtful voters will understand the difference between legislation that really defends our rights and so-called “feel-good” legislation, based on emotional appeals rather than facts, with real potential for harm to the public.

Sincerely,