Hysteria isn’t common sense

The Herald’s editorial, “Common sense and firearms” uses the words “common sense” and “clearly in the public interest” to make any argument against I-594 look irrational, or anyone who doesn’t agree with them (the Herald) of not having common sense — these ways of talking are to make an opposition opinion look minimal without actually saying it. The editorial tries to tie I-591 with Tim Eyman by mentioning polling numbers and relating them to some poll numbers of Mr. Eyman’s failed initiatives. I-591 is not a Tim Eyman initiative and the comment was un-needed, especially since it is only April and the vote for initiatives won’t happen till November. The editorial then goes after the other hot-topic of keeping weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill, but fails to give one fact or one bit of data.

Fortunately for the Everett Herald and the readers, I have facts and figures straight from the FBI. The facts are that only 0.7 percent of criminals bought a gun at a gun show, One percent were purchased at flea markets, 3.8 percent from a pawn shop and 8.3 percent from a retail outlet. The majority of guns used in criminal acts are bought from an illegal source or obtained from a friend or family member, that is close to 40 percent for each.

When it comes to states with the most stringent gun laws, they had the most murders by guns. California lead the country in 2012 with 1,304 and before you say California is the most populated state with 37 million people, then compare with Texas with its 25 million residents, but only had 745 murders with guns used. Utah, which has the least gun control, had only 29 murders with firearms and this is a rate of 0.97 per 100,000 people. Washington D.C., which requires all guns be registered, banned new handguns and required guns at home to be stored and locked up or dissembled. The murder rate in D.C. was 12 per 100,000. In 2008, the Washington D.C. gun ban was overturned and since their gun homicides have dropped from 186 in 2008 to 88 in 2012.

Like the Herald editorial staff, I too am wagering that a voter tyranny of common sense blunts the money of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the emotional hysteria preached by the Everett Herald.

Todd Welch

Lake Stevens

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.