From Dean Dickel
Mineral Point
To the editor:
Shame on Todd Novak, his fellow Republicans and the 11 Democrat Assembly members for going against all reason and public opinion by refusing to move forward with a responsible improvement in gun purchase background checks.
Ending the out of control assault weapon attacks on schools, churches, concerts and almost everyplace imaginable that people congregate should be a top priority of our government. All gun sales should be subject to thorough checks for mental instability, previous arrests and domestic assaults, to name a few. A simple Google check of someone's name might be sufficient.
I would be in favor of all sales and permits being run through local law enforcement. Those are the people who know best who is a danger to society and would be the ones to have to respond if guns end up in the wrong hands. The NRA actually opposed such a rule in Iowa and changed the law from the sheriff "may" issue a concealed carry permit to "shall" issue a permit to whomever applies.
We all know the insanity surrounding easy access to weapons of war is fueled by gun manufacturers greed for profit at the expense of gun violence victims and their families. Stretching the Second Amendment to this preposterous extreme makes a mockery of our founding fathers' intent.
Please don't add to the insanity by suggesting "good guys with a gun" in our schools and public places. Guns should be clearly identified, registered and owners required to carry liability insurance on them. And, no, the government is no more coming after your registered guns than they do your registered car.
Mineral Point
To the editor:
Shame on Todd Novak, his fellow Republicans and the 11 Democrat Assembly members for going against all reason and public opinion by refusing to move forward with a responsible improvement in gun purchase background checks.
Ending the out of control assault weapon attacks on schools, churches, concerts and almost everyplace imaginable that people congregate should be a top priority of our government. All gun sales should be subject to thorough checks for mental instability, previous arrests and domestic assaults, to name a few. A simple Google check of someone's name might be sufficient.
I would be in favor of all sales and permits being run through local law enforcement. Those are the people who know best who is a danger to society and would be the ones to have to respond if guns end up in the wrong hands. The NRA actually opposed such a rule in Iowa and changed the law from the sheriff "may" issue a concealed carry permit to "shall" issue a permit to whomever applies.
We all know the insanity surrounding easy access to weapons of war is fueled by gun manufacturers greed for profit at the expense of gun violence victims and their families. Stretching the Second Amendment to this preposterous extreme makes a mockery of our founding fathers' intent.
Please don't add to the insanity by suggesting "good guys with a gun" in our schools and public places. Guns should be clearly identified, registered and owners required to carry liability insurance on them. And, no, the government is no more coming after your registered guns than they do your registered car.
