Lately, there has been a great deal of debate over the issue of firearm control in the United States.
However, despite what the N.R.A., Fox News, and their disciples would have you believe, the government does not want to take your guns away.
The government desires to accomplish two things. Firstly, a more rigid regulation on the purchasing of firearms such as more strict permit and background check laws.
To me, this comes across as nothing more than common sense; after all the U.S. government requires licenses and permits for driving, hunting, fishing, and construction to name a few.
These are, for the most part, in place to promote safety and responsibility. How could any rational person argue against promoting safe and responsible firearm use?
Additionally, firearm users should be held accountable for their weapons at all time and ensure that when not in use they are safely and securely stored.
One suggestion could be implementing a firearms insurance program. After all, insurance is in place to protect automobile users in the event of theft or accident. A similar system, if enacted for firearm owners, would hopefully further promote safe and responsible gun ownership.
The second issue with which the government is concerned regarding firearms is the plan to ban military grade assault weapons, much like those used in the Sandy Hook, Aurora. Virginia Tech, and Columbine shootings.
While I understand the practical uses of some firearms for home protection and sport/hunting, what practical purposes do military style assault weapons serve other than efficient mass killing.
Additionally, banning assault weapons from civilian use is no different from not permitting civilian access to other military style weaponry such as rocket launchers, missiles, and weapons grade nuclear fuels.
I for one believe that granting civilians access to such weapons would be an absurdly bad idea.
Even conservative demigod Ronald Reagan agreed with these sentiments, stating at his 78th birthday party celebration on Feb. 6, 1989 that “I do not believe in taking away the right of the citizen for sporting, for hunting and so forth, or for home defense. But I do believe that an AK-47, a machine gun, is not a sporting weapon or needed for defense of a home.”
Furthermore, I would like to argue against the reasoning that gun laws and regulations would be ineffective because criminals will not obey such laws.
Well, since when have criminals ever obeyed laws? Based on this flawed logic, we should have no laws whatsoever.
Lastly, other developed nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have implemented regulatory practices similar, if not identical, to the proposed regulations in America.
A simple glance at the firearm based violent crime statistics in these countries, the highest of which is 10 times lower than that of the United States; suggest that these regulations have been extremely successful.
It is my hope that the American population will come to its senses and realize that such laws are necessary to help curtail the mass killings and violent incidents that have taken the lives of so many innocent Americans.
Alexander M. Brant
LaVale
Letters
The government doesn’t want to take your guns
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Help restore the blue water sailors’ benefits
Shame on the Bush administration, shame on the Obama administration, shame on the Congress and shame on the Veterans Administration.
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It was the happiest of times
On Saturday, May 4, I had the pleasure of attending the Allegany County Special Olympics. I was there in the capacity as the grand commander of Wamba Caravan 89 of the International Order of Alhambra.
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Education key to addressing substance abuse
I am writing in response to Allegany County’s response to the growing overdose problem in the area (“County health board preparing opioid overdose prevention plan,” May 15 Times-News, Page 1A).
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Help keep teen drivers safe during the summer months
Memorial Day marks the beginning of the 100 deadliest days of the year on our nation’s roads for teen drivers.
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Walk Smart
Many local residents will be visiting Ocean City this summer, so it is worth noting that the resort has launched a campaign that it hopes will keep pedestrians out of harm’s way.
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Trailer case bound to increase scrutiny on town of Piedmont
This letter is in response to the recent story concerning the guilty plea entered in federal court by Piedmont’s town foreman (“Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea,” May 21 Times-News, Page 1A).
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Fixing community’s problems starts with your young people
I am writing this letter to the editor because I think our community really needs to work on plenty of issues. Some of them are:
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Why are there no answers to these questions?
We currently have the most corrupt administration in the history of the country. Every day more and more lies come from the Obama administration.
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Roaming dogs prove menace to some residents of LaVale
I am writing to inform your readers and the animal control staff of Allegany about a problem that is dragging on and unresolved, yet.
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These types should look to the Boy Scouts for an example
Consider these headlines:
NRA will “Never Surrender.”
The Tea Party will “Never Surrender.”
The No Tax Group will “Never surrender.”
Neocons will “Never Surrender.”
Far Left Liberals will “Never Surrender.” - More Letters Headlines
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Help restore the blue water sailors’ benefits
