April 26, 2013,
Mr Obama, Mr Biden, and members of
Congress
As a veteran, thank you for your
service to our nation and to the people you represent.
As even you must confess, gun ownership
has been a staple of American society since the 1600s. It is
extremely doubtful that the American colonies would have prevailed in
the early endeavors of pre-Revolution pioneers to make a foothold on
this continent. The personal ownership of firearms was pivotal in the
independence of our great nation. Firearms have enabled Americans to
defend their homes against invaders who would have otherwise been
deprived of their lives and property. Still, the ability to defend
family and home are still important to our society.
There are hundreds of thousands of
Americans who legally own firearms. I am included in those numbers,
as are my family, extended family and a good majority of my friends.
None of us, not even one, have used their firearms to commit a crime,
or even to threaten bodily harm. We own rifles, shotguns, pistols of
all descriptions including AR-15s and their derivatives, AK-47
derivatives, and high capacity magazines. We shoot for fun. We shoot
for food. We shoot for sport. And, though none of us has needed to,
we have the ability to defend our homes. We are fathers, mothers,
sons, and daughters of our nation. We are hard working people. Many
of us are veterans.
There are those of us who do not live
in metropolitan areas. Many live where a call for help by law
enforcement would take 30-40 minutes. Indeed, I have lived where a
police response might take over an hour. If there is a need, an
unarmed citizen would have to wait defenseless and helpless during a
criminal invasion. An unarmed family would have to submit to whatever
devices an intruder could devise. Ownership of firearms still keeps
Americans free. Like myself, many people would stand in front of
their families with gun in hand, in defense of their loved ones.
Does it take one bullet to stop an
attack? Does it take 15 bullets to stop an attack? Not even the FBI
and the US Military can answer that question. If there was such a
magic bullet that would stop an attack with one shot there would be
no need for more than one. Multiple rounds may be necessary to stop
an attacker. What if there were more than one attacker? Those with
criminal intent often and do, are not alone. “Home invasions” may
take three or four criminals. At times, only a threat with a firearm
is enough to stop an intrusion. Naturally, being armed does not
guarantee freedom from criminal abuse.
There are firearm regulations on the
books that prevent certain individuals from purchasing firearms.
There are current laws that criminalize those who attempt to
fraudulently purchase firearms. We have laws that enhance punishments
for crimes committed with a firearm. These laws do work.
Unfortunately, there are those who are able to buy firearms
illegally. There will be those who do not need to be in possession of
firearms. Newer, more stringent gun laws and bans would not stop
those few that should not own a firearm.
It isn't firearms that endanger
Americans. A firearm is merely a tool. The danger is in the
individual who feels the need to commit violence. Hammers are useful
tools, yet they are used to commit crimes. The ordinary kitchen knife
is a tool and it has been used to commit crimes. More people are
killed annually from the use of alcohol than from firearms. An
individual is still more likely to be killed by a car than to be a
victim of gun violence. In 2009 (depending on where you get your
figures), more people died from the use of illicit drugs than from
homicide with a firearm. The Boston Marathon bombings (the initial
attack) were not committed with firearms. Three people were killed by
fireworks and pressure cookers in Boston. Common, everyday items that
can be found in a good many homes in America.
The focus on firearm ownership should
be shifted to the punishment of those who use firearms to commit a
crime. Responsible firearm ownership is the key to preventing gun
crime. If a gun owning family knows that there is a family member
that has a form of mental illness or brain related conditions, then
the family should make special effort to prevent the use of those
guns. This is a suggestion that the mother of Adam Lanza knew he had
such a condition but still kept firearms in the household. Since Mr
Lanza was an legally an adult, Mrs Lanza is not solely responsible
for his actions. However, she could have done more.
I believe in personal responsibility.
If I am a law abiding citizen and have no criminal background, then I
should be free from government oversight and be allowed to own what
ever firearm I wanted. When I violate the law, I, and I alone, are
responsible for my actions. I do not expect others to have their
rights infringed on. In fact, the rights of others should be
strengthened against government intrusion, such as the requirement
from the Miranda case. No, the actions of an individual are the sole
responsibility of that individual and not an excuse to place that
responsibility on society. Do not punish generally for the actions of
a single individual.
I, and so many more Americans believe
that when it is your time to die, there is no escape from that
eventuality. Whether one chooses to call it fate or the “Will of
God,” we are here on this Earth until it is 'our' time. Nothing can
change it. If it my time to die, it makes no difference whether I
turn left or right or go straight at an intersection. The events
leading up to my death have already been set in motion and beyond the
control of an individual or government.
On a rainy night in 1988 (I believe. I
have forgotten the date.), I was involved in an accident that
resulted in a fatality. For years, I wrestled with the possibilities
that I might have prevented the accident. If I had left for my
destination two minutes earlier or two minutes later, could I have
prevented the accident? Obviously, that is a question that can never
be answered. Events were already in motion. I was but part of the
equation to put me in that location, at that time. Once elements of
an event are put into place, there is nothing no one can do. No
amount of legislation will prevent it.
I do not believe that more gun
legislation will prevent incidents like those in Newtown, CT, Aurora,
CO, or Tucson, AZ. History has shown that when a person is truly
committed to taking life, that person will find a way. In 1955, Jack
Graham put a bomb in his mothers suitcase before she boarded a plane.
Forty-four were killed when the bomb exploded over Colorado. In 1990,
Julio Gonzalez killed 87 by burning down the occupied Happy Land
'social club.' Man does not need a semi-automatic, high capacity
firearm to commit mass murder. Juan Manuel Alvarez, killed eleven and
injured nearly 200 when he caused two trains to collide in southern
California. Man will kill Man. As they say, “if there's a will...”
Again, I am glad for your continual
service to America. I hope this finds you and your family well.
With Regards and Respect,
Kevin D White
McKenzie, TN
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