12 MARCH 1, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
A message for Queens gun enthusiasts
The national conversation about
gun violence in the wake of the
Feb. 14 massacre in Parkland, Florida,
isn’t slowing down — nor should it.
Many in Queens continue to debate
what should be done nationally to prevent
mass shootings from happening.
Everyone seems to want an end to the
bloodshed; fi nding a solution, however,
is another story.
This week, we want to appeal directly
to those in our borough who
either own a gun, or happen to be gun
enthusiasts, about the urgency of the
situation.
There are only about 45,000 registered
gun owners in all of New York
state, which has some of the toughest
gun laws in the country. We know,
however, that a number of gun owners
reside in Queens; others in the borough
use guns out of state for sport or hunting.
We believe that the Second Amendment
that ensures the right to bear
arms should be preserved. Americans
should be allowed to own guns for personal
protection or for sport, if they
so choose.
However, the Second Amendment,
in our view, does not prohibit the
federal government from imposing
regulations on the types of weapons
and ammunition available to the layman.
It also does not prevent the government
from enacting legislation that
makes it illegal for mentally unstable
persons, former felons and those on
the terrorist watch list from acquiring
weapons, because of the inherent risk
to the public.
Most gun owners seem to agree with
this. The National Rifl e Association
(NRA) seems to think otherwise. They
have a dubious record of blocking and
defeating any type of gun regulation.
In the wake of one mass shooting
aft er another, the NRA stays silent for
a time before lashing out at the mere
suggestion that any gun regulation is
a constitutional violation (though it
isn’t) — and that more guns are somehow
the solution to the gun problem.
Queens gun owners and enthusiasts
must realize that the NRA doesn’t
represent them, and they should tear
up their membership cards and stop
paying their dues. That’s one way to
hinder the NRA’s enormous, cash-fueled
infl uence on Washington.
Another way is to contact your elected
offi cials and tell them that, while
you support the right to bear arms,
you also support the right to “life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
— and, to that end, desire reasonable
gun laws that keep guns out of the
wrong hands.
One last note about the Second
Amendment to consider: In the wake
of Parkland, some individuals called
for repeal of the Second Amendment.
Now that’s an idea that’s well out of the
mainstream of most Americans, including
ardent gun control supporters.
But if nothing is done now to prevent
mass shootings — and mass shootings
continue to happen — those calls for
repeal will grow louder and more
intense.
It behooves gun rights supporters
to support stronger laws to not only
protect the public, but also to preserve
the right to bear arms for future
generations.
EDITORIAL
ESTABLISHED 1908
Co-Publishers
VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS
JOSHUA SCHNEPS
Editor-in-Chief
ROBERT POZARYCKI
Classifi ed Manager
DEBORAH CUSICK
Assistant Classifi ed Manager
MARLENE RUIZ
Reporter
RYAN KELLEY
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