http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/app..._Story_1305112

Posted on Thu, Dec 20, 2007
Letter to the Editor: Reader has questions regarding gun editorial


To the Times:

I am not sure who wrote the Dec. 12 editorial, “It’s time lawmakers debate gun control,” but it caught my attention, sparked several questions, differing opinions and perhaps some practical recommendations. My questions include:

1. How many urban area citizens have been killed by cars vs. guns?

2. Were the people who should not have guns legally able (under current laws) to have or own them, or did they illegally obtain or find them?

3. How many criminals caught with guns in their possession obtained them legally? (This would be an important statistic.)
4. What affect would any new, additional gun-control legislation have on criminals determined to obtain and use a gun to practice their trade?

The walkout by members of the Black Legislative Caucus because of their colleagues refusal to consider any type of (new/additional) gun-control bills had to be inspirational to future/potential criminals, assuming their legislative goal would have been to further disarm law-abiding citizens. Whatever gun laws now exist or may be passed in days to come will only be obeyed by lawful citizens. Criminals follow a different code.

Existing gun laws must be rigidly enforced with more publicity given to a law-abiding citizens’ right to defend themselves, their families and their possessions. Perhaps if more good citizens were legally armed and encouraged to defend themselves, under the rights of the Second Amendment, fewer crimes would be committed and fewer criminals would be roaming the streets searching for prey. Any future legislative debate on gun control should be focused on effective gun control for criminals, not obstructive gun control for lawful citizens.

I support and am in favor of random searches within high crime, urban areas. The higher the crime rate, the more searches warranted. Gun-law offenders subsequently found should be prosecuted to the fullest extent, for the good and protection of all law-abiding citizens.

MATTHEW FANELLI


__________________________________________________ _______________
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/app..._Story_1305126

Friday, December 21, 2007

Posted on Thu, Dec 20, 2007 Zoom + | Zoom -
Editorial: New gun bill ‘will make America safer’
Back in the 1970s, the Number One show on TV was “All in the Family,” and America loved to laugh at the antics of bigoted bumpkin Archie Bunker.

The taxi driver from Queens, N.Y., memorably portrayed by Carroll O’Connor, comically struggled to hold on to his traditional view of the world as the forces of change surged on. One episode dealt with the rash of airline hijackings that was plaguing the country at that time. Archie’s solution? Give every passenger aboard a gun – so no hijacker would dare seize control of the plane.

Hardy-har-har!

It’s a statement about how far this country has devolved in the last 30 years that some people who think they are serious are making similar suggestions to deal with today’s rash of gun violence – and making them with a straight face. What was played for absurdist comedy then is public-policy debate now.

Thankfully, there are more sober minds in government working on the problem of gun violence, and a good proposal was enacted this week in Washington, D.C.
On Wednesday, Congress approved a long-delayed bill that will make it easier to keep guns out of the hands of people with documented histories of mental-health problems. The law, in the works for months, would add the names of those who have been declared mentally ill in court to the national registry of people who cannot legally buy firearms. Many states already have such laws on the books; Pennsylvania does not.

Inspired by the April 16 tragedy at Virginia Tech, in which a mentally ill student killed 32 people before committing suicide, the legislation clarifies what mental health records should be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which help gun dealers determine whether to sell a firearm to a prospective buyer.

It provides funding to states as an incentive for compliance. And the attorney general can penalize states if they fail to meet compliance targets.

In a compromise with the gun lobby, a measure was added that would require the government to pay for the cost of appeals by gun owners and prospective buyers who argue successfully in court that they were wrongly denied gun purchases for mental-health reasons. Incorrect records, such as expunged mental health rulings that once disqualified a prospective gun buyer but no longer do, would have to be removed from the national registry within 30 days.

“This bill will make America safer without affecting the rights of a single law-abiding citizen,” said the Senate’s chief sponsor, New York Democrat Chuck Schumer.

It’s a sensible measure that’s wholeheartedly supported by both the National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. President Bush has not said whether or not he’ll sign it into law.

He should. It’s rare for lawmakers to agree on the sensitive issue of gun control. The people of this country, and Delaware County, have had enough sad experience with mentally ill people who take up arms.

Even Archie Bunker would have trouble arguing about that.