Letters: Does gun control make us safer?

Re “State a gun control leader,” Column, July 26

George Skelton writes passionately for stronger gun control.

Illinois, and Chicago in particular, have the strictest gun laws in the country. It is very difficult to buy a gun legally and keep it in your home in Chicago. Yet Chicago’s homicide rate is up 38% from last year and has been increasing for a number of years. The rest of the nation has seen a decrease in violent crime.

This decrease has occurred during a time when many states have relaxed their gun laws and legal gun sales have been at record numbers.

It would seem the idea that fewer gun sales mean less violence is backward. Skelton should explain the discrepancy.

Bob Braley

Bakersfield

Skelton’s column was a breath of fresh air, in contrast to the murmurings of most politicians who are afraid to talk about another tragic episode in our long-running history of violence. How dare this latest incident interrupt their campaigns.

We dishonor the victims and extend the nightmare of their families when, after praying for them, we simply shrug our shoulders and say, “These things happen,” as if there’s nothing more to be done. We can do things, including passing laws, not to make a perfect world but a better and safer one.

John Saville

Corona

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