Gun Control (A Letter to the Editor)

This is a letter to the editor of my local newspaper in response to a letter regarding gun control. (The name of the person I respond to has been changed.)

Fellow citizens,

Last week John Smith wrote concerning gun control. He listed three points as to why guns are not the cause of gun deaths. He stated that people are "blinded by their anti-gun biases." I would not consider myself anti-gun (I myself am a hunter), but rather anti-death. He goes on to say that the media ignores the facts about guns. Well, I believe that Mr. Smith is ignoring the facts.

He begins by giving Australia as an example country where guns are illegal. He states that since guns were made illegal, assaults increased by 35%. What he fails to mention is that there have been less than 40 gun homicides in each of the last 9 years, even as low as 15 in 2004 and 2005. I would rather have assaults than actual deaths wouldn't you? He then says that if people had guns they might not have been assaulted. Just because you own a gun does not mean you are physically and mentally prepared to kill or harm someone.

In his second point he brings up England, saying they have had over 40,000 firearm offenses. Well obviously, since guns are illegal there. He fails to mention a second fact. England had less than 60 gun deaths last year. Compare this to the United States's 10,700. Let me repeat that number, 10,700. Do you see the difference? He also mention knife attacks, but he does not say how many deaths by knife. There have been slightly over 300 deaths. This is still less than the deaths caused by guns before they were illegal. Once again compare 300 to the 10,700 gun deaths in the U.S. Another point to mention is that the difference between a knife and a gun is that the gun's purpose is to kill. It was made to harm.

His third point brings up Colombia and Mexico. Really? Yes guns are illegal in these countries, but Colombia and Mexico have something else besides a gun problem. The largest and most powerful crime organization in the world- the Cartel. Not only does this massive gang control the streets, but they also control the police, and have influence in the local governments. Nearly all gun deaths can be traced to the Cartel. The police and local governments are so corrupt (often bribed by the Cartel) that the gun laws are not even enforced. So in reality there are no gun laws. Colombia and Mexico are horrible examples.

In the second part of his third point he talks about Switzerland. It is an exception to the normal because of how unique its gun laws are. No, they do not have strict gun control, but they do have strict gun regulations as far as purchases. They are also unique in that every male between 20 and 30 must serve in the military. They are provided with their guns and are trained to use them because they do not have an active militia (the exact reason our 2nd Amendment was made). We've learned from history that Switzerland and its people are very peaceful.

Finally, some conclusions: Japan, the UK, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Germany all have strict gun control laws. All had less than 60, with most less than 40, gun deaths last year. Once again compare this to United States' 10,700 gun deaths. There is a direct correlation!

Gun control laws are not the full answer however. We need stricter regulation and a reorganization, especially in the ATF (Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms) Agency. The ATF has only 2500 members, the same number they had in 1972. The head of the ATF also has two full time jobs. How can we expect his full attention to the ATF?

Another key thing that hinders the ATF is an act passed by Congressional Republicans, specifically Jim Sensenbrenner and Todd Tiahrt of Kansas. The Tiahrt act was jammed into a completely unrelated bill. It prohibited the ATF from tracing back deals in the Federal Registry of Gun Transactions in order to find corrupt dealers. It also prohibited the ATF from inspecting gun dealers' inventories. Gun dealers are also not required to keep track of inventory and transactions. This act was reviewed and approved by none other than the NRA. It makes one wonder what their real intentions are?

Lastly, he continuously brings up the mental state of the killers. First of all mental health is not even a factor in most gun homicides. It only seems like a major reason because of mass shootings. Yes, these mass shootings may not have happened if the shooter received mental care, the same free mental care provided by in the new healthcare. But it seems the same people fighting against gun control are also against Obamacare.

In order to fix our gun problem we need to fix the laws and regulations governing guns, as well as the organization that's suppose to be controlling them.