LETTER: Gun facts need checking

Editor,

I’m responding to Jared Westbroek’s frankly appalling “Gun control leads to less security” column in Friday’s Utah Statesman opinion section. Mr. Westbroek starts his article celebrating the end of the ban on assault weapons. No doubt there will be a large percentage of Americans who will now be flocking to gun shops to purchase these firearms for the upcoming hunting season or to discreetly keep in their purses for”personal protection.”

Mr. Westbroek conveniently goes on to another USU College Republican time-honored tradition of bashing liberals. The article asserts that John Kerry “is relying on fear tactics” to win the upcoming election. Last time I checked the current vice president was making a claim that a terrorist attack on America would be imminent if John Kerry gained the presidency. If that isn’t a code orange “fear tactic” that is “relying on the ignorance of the public” I don’t know what is.

I’d like to know where Mr. Westbroek got his facts about “two million crimes are prevented each year by the use of firearms”. I’d also like some evidence that “gun control leads to only one outcome, less security.” The most illogical assertion of the whole article was that the Sept. 11 hijackings could have been prevented if a “responsible passenger” had brought a gun on board. Just how is a “responsible passenger” supposed to get a gun through security? Are we supposed to feel secure if only “responsible passengers” have guns on flights?

All Americans, not just multi-million dollar special interest groups and overly partisan commentators, should have a voice in the ongoing debate over second amendment. This country’s founders left this amendment of keeping a well-armed militia wide open to interpretation. Before Mr. Westbroek enters this discussion again, I would encourage him to check his facts and think about the implications his statements.

Sean Damitz