Much more can be done to help save lives | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 11:08 am Saturday, December 13, 2014

To the editor:

Peter Brady is correct, I-594 is “Chicken Little.”

He mentioned that during 2008-2010 firearm homicide in Washington state stood at 119 victims. I am thankful that Mr. Brady did this research and advised us so eloquently that guns do kill people.

He seems to ask for a less “Chicken Little” approach, and I totally agree with him. Lets outlaw all high capacity firearms and require a fingerprint lock on any legal handgun or hunting rifle. The nay-sayer will claim that this can’t be done.

Let us look at countries that have very restrictive gun control laws and learn from them how they approach gun ownership and what their firearm homicide rate is. Our government regulates seatbelt use to protect us, why not regulate guns to protect others?

Our government has building and plumbing and electrical codes, foundation and roofing and insulating requirements to make sure we have safe homes, but it has very lax firearm regulations. The government even requires ignition locks and keys tooled for only that lock for our cars, but no lock for firearms. That’s why even little kids can shoot their playmates or siblings by accident.

Thank you, Mr. Brady, for pointing out that I-594 is not enough.

JAMES BEHREND

Bainbridge Island