Local group fighting for ‘sensible’ gun measures

UWCHLAN >> What would happen within five years if grassroots organization Gun Sense Chester County was successful?

“Imagine it is 2023 and Gun Sense has been highly successful decreasing gun violence in your neighborhoods, Chester County and beyond?” asked Bonalyn Mosteller, group leader and facilitator of the process, at Tuesday’s workshop meeting. “What is the positive vision we all have been working for? “Create a vision.” Thirty members of Gun Sense met at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ for the interactive workshop, “Share Your Dream for Reducing Gun Violence.”

Gun Sense is a 750-member organization composed of both gun and non-gun owners who believe that “common ground is the solution.” Members focus on identifying issues on which there is common ground among gun and non-gun owners, educates residents and works with elected officials to advocate change.

The workshop was designed to help Gun Sense develop a 2019 strategic plan.

Participants split into sixperson groups where they focused and prioritized through a “round robin” discussion overseen by Mosteller.

Through group discussion, Jim Dwyer called for registered licensing of all guns.

“You have licenses for everything else,” Dwyer said.

Julieta Calmon hopes for a better dialogue between gun and non-gun owners.

Jane Taylor Toal favored hitting the streets and knocking on the doors of neighbors. She also would like to see gun-free zones, “a common ground and a common sense solution.”

Member Al Wright would like to see specific training during the next five years.

Member Terry Young looked to a Washington State law making gun owners responsible.

“Gun owners can be held liable if a gun is not stored properly,” Young said.

Al Wright suggested that the age to own a gun—what he said is a lethal weapon— be raised to 21.

Some members of the four groups favored recertification after five years for gun training, a revision of the Second Amendment, and funding for the CDC to study gun safety.

Members supported passing more bills at the state and federal levels, cutting the influence of the NRA on politicians and not having to see gun deaths depicted in the media on a regular basis, something they said is desensitizing after time.

“A mass murder doesn’t mean anything anymore,” one group said.

“It’s not about guns, but how guns are present,” one group said.

BILL RETTEW - DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA About 30 people attended Gun Sense’s workshop Tuesday night.

BILL RETTEW - DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Ann Colby-Cummings, chairperson of Gun Sense, talks gun safety.