The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Gun laws don’t make state safe
“Gun violence is an epidemic in our nation,” said Rep. Steve Stafstrom, a Bridgeport Democrat, as he introduced the new gun safety bill. He’s correct. He also correctly noted “the plague that gun violence continues to be.” But this new legislation “will have no impact on stopping criminal activity … and do little to reduce urban gun violence,” as stated in Ken Dixon’s piece.
Sixth-term state Rep. Mitch Bolinski, of Newtown, criticized House members. “We’re happy to do everything in our power as a government to punish the most law-abiding citizens in our state.” Rep. Craig Fishbein quoted police officials who told lawmakers that 90 percent of gun crimes are committed with illegal weapons. “Criminals don’t follow the law. The majority of this legislation goes after the law-abiding.”
Yes, only law-abiding citizens follow the law. This legislation implements “drastic reductions in places where gun owners can carry their weapons in public.” Why? Should honest, law-abiding citizens with permits to carry (which are very difficult to qualify for and receive) be more vulnerable than previously? When was the last time you read about a legal gun owner with a carry permit killing someone or going on a killing spree?
Even with an “assault weapon”? There are an estimated 220 million legally owned “assault weapons” in this country. These are horrific, despicable crimes committed by very sick, disturbed people truly for reasons unknown; not “law abiding” citizens. Murder itself is illegal, yet we have it everywhere, every day in this country. Committed by criminals. Many with long criminal histories. Caught with illegal guns over and over again.
We used to use the term “crime and punishment.” Not so much any more. Until we do, our legislators shouldn’t take a bow for misplaced “gun safety laws” that don’t stop criminals from performing violent acts with guns. And Connecticut not only made law-abiding gun owners vulnerable in their own home but shifted liability to gun owners, thereby requiring them to buy safes.
Connecticut has low crime numbers because we have a great majority of highly educated, extremely law- abiding citizens, who want peaceful lives and live in quiet expensive suburbs. Don’t fool yourselves into thinking the state’s misplaced, ineffective laws on crime, violence and criminals are the reasons.