Gun Rights and Gun Violence

| |
Related articles: Opinion > The Reader\'s Turn

I write concerning “New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Stage ‘Lie In’” (April 16, 2009, by Tim McDevitt), and wish to make an observation with regard to it.

While the Virginia Tech and Binghamton tragedies were and are horrific and appalling, they are by no means indicative of pistol license holders in general and should not be construed as such by overzealous politicians and anti-gun organizations. To do so is akin to likening every licensed driver to one convicted of harming another after driving while intoxicated.

While not a member of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, I most certainly consider myself to be just that—a New Yorker against gun violence. However, blanket legislation that infringes upon the rights of law abiding citizens who choose to exercise their rights under the Second Amendment is unfair and unnecessary.

While I will stipulate that two instances of a person lawfully purchasing a handgun and using it in a criminal manner is deplorable and unconscionable, by no means does this constitute an epidemic. Sensible gun legislation involves enforcing the laws already in existence, not regulating gun ownership and citizen’s rights out of existence.

Dan Morely
Saratoga Springs, NY

The article “New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Stage ‘Lie In’” may be read at: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15478/.