The writer of the letter, “Statistics don’t support epidemic,” is absolutely, 100 percent correct in his comments regarding the nearly statistically insignificant role that rifles of any kind, especially the much-maligned “assault rifles,” play in the homicide rate in the United States. I have personally made these exact point in numerous correspondence with both our congressional and state legislators, and have requested responses from them. Their responses have been non-existent. When our new governor was a U.S. Representative, he repeatedly assured me of his strong belief in, and support for, the Second Amendment, while at the same time supporting anti-gun bills in Congress.
The statistics the letter writer cites are the government’s own, and are readily available to anyone. It would certainly seem reasonable to expect that our congressional and legislative members would make at least some small effort to review and digest them before embarking on a hell-bent effort to undermine a key amendment of the Bill of Rights! However, I would bet that they, as well as the bleating members of the media, are already well-aware of these facts, but have shamefully pounced on the Sandy Hook tragedy as an excuse to push their own agenda. As Chicago’s mayor said, “Never allow a good crisis to go waste.”
This nation, and this state, are facing problems far more serious, and far-reaching than what a firearm looks like, or how many cartridges it holds. I would respectfully suggest that someone slap our leaders “upside the head” and bring that to their collective attention, so they might start dealing with real problems.
Lee Fowble
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
