Sammamish Forum Feb. 27
February 27, 2013
By Administrator
Control violence, not guns
The recent letter “Gun control not the answer” was spot-on. If the news media reported all events in which guns are used each day to deter crime and save lives (instead of trumpeting only their misuse), very few would be pushing for more gun control — other than criminals, terrorists and those trying to distract us from our economic woes or thirsting for more control over people.
History has many examples of control-crazy governments enforcing strict gun control before exterminating or enslaving dissidents and ethnic minorities. Since 1900 the very worst, by far, have been communist. The death tolls in Russia and China each were millions more than in Hitler’s Germany. Our Second Amendment is well worth preserving.
Some change in our culture to reduce gun violence is overdue. However, the focus should be on violence and safety rather than on guns; e.g. ban irresponsible use of guns and graphic scenes of murder in movies/TV/video games, promote gun safety and marksmanship training, eliminate or provide security for so-called gun free zones where law-abiding folks are like sitting ducks for killers, bust gangs and find ways to foil mass murderers who may use explosives, guns or other means to kill.
Defense of self and home is an individual’s responsibility; and guns are fine tools to be cherished by free citizens — not something evil to be banished. Anti-gun laws, background checks, or trigger locks won’t deter criminals nor will they stop deranged or jihadist killers. Good security and well-placed bullets will.
Robert Allison
Sammamish
Voting bill is needed
We write in response to Kylee Zabel’s February 13 article (“Law could change how council elections work”) on the Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA). As co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Washington, we understand the importance of fair representation for all communities. That is why LWVWA, a non-partisan organization, was a strong supporter of the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and why we support the WVRA now.
Through our work, we encounter many voters that feel far removed from their local governments. They need to believe that they can have an impact and that elected officials are accountable to them. They need to believe their electoral system connects them to the decision-makers, the formula for good government. The LWVWA supports the WVRA because it is consistent with a vision of local government that promotes accountability and encourages the active participation of citizens.
Kim Abel
Linnea Hirst
Co-Presidents
League of Women Voters of Washington
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