How To Stop Gun Violence: Rethinking Laws After Vegas
THE ISSUE: The debate on gun restrictions in the wake of the most deadly shooting in US history in Las Vegas.
There’s already a ban on automatic weapons. We don’t need automatics for hunting or target practice (“Dump the bump,” Oct. 12).
If automatic weapons were already banned, why were these bump stocks, which can be used to make semi-automatics nearly automatic, allowed to be manufactured and sold? Bob Paley North Brunswick
The only two reasons for a citizen to own a firearm are for hunting or defense. In either case, ownership of a handgun, shotgun or rifle is more than adequate. There is absolutely no need for any civilian to own any weapon more powerful.
And all guns should be licensed and registered in a way that authorities can match a weapon to its owner at the click of a mouse.
As a country, we must deal with the issue of gun violence immediately. Joe Bialek Cleveland, Ohio
I’m a supporter of the Second Amendment, and I own firearms.
But you can’t tell me that anyone needs a magazine that holds 60 cartridges or a device that makes their firearm nearly automatic.
To people who say that silencers are needed to help with hearing loss: That’s crazy. There are foam earplugs and overthe-ear protectors that work great. Paul Pich Farmingdale
I’m a civil-rights activist, and lifelong member of the National Rifle Association — the most effective grass-roots politicalaction organization in the United States. The NRA seeks to protect the civil rights of all Americans.
I am a proud member, doing everything legally possible to protect your rights and our freedom.
Any politician who pretends the NRA is responsible for gun violence is lying to you. Any politician who pursues gun control is seeking to curtail your freedom and deceive you. Armed citizens, first responders and the NRA deter crime. James Cunningham Middletown
When tragedies like the Las Vegas shooting take place, some people are so quick and desperate to propose ways to deter future shootings that they don’t care whether their proposals violate the Constitution.
Like it or not, the Constitution does not put a limit on how many guns or how much ammunition a person can own. Nor does it allow for rights to be waived or suspended in times of crisis.
The only way that should be changed is in accordance with Article V. Anyone who believes otherwise takes their liberty for granted. Mark Zloczover Boynton Beach, Fla.
In the wake of the horrific Las Vegas event, it’s time for the public to take a stand against the evil that has spread across this great nation. We should contact our representatives and let them know enough is enough.
To both sides of the aisle, I ask — just when is the right time to talk about solving the issue of guns in the hands of would-be killers?
I fear it might take a few more massacres to wake the “Old Guard” legislators to do what’s right for the American people who elected them. Herb Stark Moorseville, NC
It seems politicians are on a roll with all kinds of proposed restrictions that they say would have prevented the Las Vegas massacre.
Rest assured, there will be an attempt to limit how many guns and how much ammo Americans can possess. Sounds like an infringement to me.
Sooner or later, these fools are going to have to realize that their remedies are worthless and unconstitutional. Michael Pacer Paso Robles, Calif.
While many people agree bump-fire stocks should be outlawed, criminals don’t obey the law.
Gun laws will be obeyed by good people. Criminals will get weapons illegally, and lawabiding citizens will be at a disadvantage. John Habersberger New Paltz
When are the gun laws in this country going to be amended? What are politicians waiting for — another massacre of innocent people?
The land of the free is becoming the land of the terrified. This is unacceptable. John Amato Fresh Meadows