To the editor:
As the number of people injured or killed related to gun violence grows, our ability to change any gun legislation remains stagnant. I frequently hear that “people kill people, not guns.” The group touting this expression are the same group against any form of background checks on people.
President Barack Obama issued 23 executive orders on gun safety. They focused on background checks, better communication between federal agencies, improving gun safety classes, research into causes and prevention of gun violence, and developing and placing into effect emergency response plans. None focused on taking guns from people. In February of this year, President Donald Trump signed a bill reversing an Obama-era rule on gun purchases by mentally ill.
When I was in junior high school, back in the 1960s, I was a member of the NRA. Its primary focus was gun safety. The NRA hypes any form of gun control legislation as an infringement on the Second Amendment.
When I have a cold or allergy issue, I’m limited to the amount of a decongestant I may purchase and then only after I show proper ID so that a background check can be done and I must sign for it. But I can purchase a gun, make it virtually an automatic weapon, and buy any amount of ammunition, as did Stephen Paddock, without question.
Jim Flavin
New Sweden
