Firearms aren’t the problem; prosecute criminals using guns

There are profound and repeated protestations that there are too many guns and they are the cause of so many unnecessary shootings.

A lot of support for restricting, forbidding, limiting and, yes, outright confiscation of certain types of weapons is heard everyday and especially after yet another grotesque occurrence. I am in total agreement with extensive background checks, disarming mentally deranged citizens, keeping it illegal for illegal immigrants from being able to obtain firearms, and enforcing the laws and consequences of firearms misuse.

California has/had a “use a gun, go to prison” statute that was very effective and worked until judges and prosecutors start pulling the teeth out of the intent of that law and arbitrarily ignoring said law and vicariously released arrested felons back into the public to re-offend time and again. I have arrested armed illegal aliens (in California ) and two days later ran into them after their being deported. It was frustrating.

Now back to the so called claim that the gun is the whole problem. How many of you have never fired a gun? The weapon will not fire until someone pulls the trigger. Simple solution. Quit blaming the gun. We have enacted safe-storage rules and laws and common sense recommendations. The NRA and a plethora of organizations offering orientation and safe gun handling. ​Remember what Forrest Gump’s mother said: “You can’t fix stupid.” Do not force limitations on the majority to say you are protecting them. It doesn’t and won’t work. Mandatory and effective criminal penalties do work.

David Bert Silliman

Camano Island

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