Dear representatives and senators:
We, the people of Delaware have elected each of you to the positions you hold to protect our rights guaranteed us by the United States Constitution and the Delaware State Constitution. It is such an important part of your job that you take an oath to uphold it when you are sworn into office. These rights guaranteed us by both constitutions are not up for debate or compromise.
By proposing and considering recent gun restrictions, you have awakened a sleeping giant, tens of thousands of citizens in each of your districts who are not willing to compromise their rights because of the actions of a few evil or mentally insane people. We understand that you feel you must do something, but restricting gun rights is not the answer. It is a guarantee that we will do everything in our power to see that you are not re-elected.
Address stiffer penalties for gun crimes and address those who are mentally ill that they do not have access to firearms. We are all in favor of that, but do not restrict our rights as law-abiding citizens, because we will rise up and do everything we can to take action.
Much of the proposed "Assault Weapons Bill" is much like Maryland, so let's look at some facts about the school shooting that just occurred there:
What did nothing to stop the Maryland school shooting:
• Maryland's assault weapons ban
• Maryland's 10-round magazine limit
• Maryland's universal background check requirement
• Maryland's exhaustive application permit process to purchase a handgun
• Maryland's law prohibiting purchase of more than 1 firearm per month
• Maryland's law requiring handgun registration
• Maryland's law requiring licensing of handgun owners
• Maryland's extremely limited approval of concealed carry permits
• Maryland's refusal to honor concealed permit from another state
• Federal law prohibiting handgun purchase for people under 21
• Maryland's law against open carry
• Gun-free zone laws
• Laws against attempted murder
What did stop the Maryland school shooting:
An armed person at the scene who engaged the shooter in less than one minute. Any questions? Do the right thing!
Andrew Riggin
Lewes
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
