Letters to the Editor 1-3-13

Gun loving nation
Editor: What’s wrong with this gun loving nation?
Every week there is at least one shooting with semi-automatic weapons. The worst just happened a few days ago in Connecticut. This is a result of the love for guns, love of violent video games and violent movies. Another reason is also that this country is not willing to pay enough taxes to take care of the mentally ill.
Innocent people get killed in schools, movie theaters, in hospitals, at work, at any normal place you can think of. This is sick. Is owning a gun the only way for Americans to feel powerful?
America is by far the most violent country of all industrialized nations. In many cases crime is ten-fold per capita compared to European countries. And guess what, you gun lovers, although there are strict gun laws in Europe, nobody takes your hunting rifle away. There is a lot of hunting of game in Europe. Although it wouldn’t be my choice, I can accept it.
 I don’t call this freedom when you have to be afraid of a shooting when you drop off your kids at school or at a movie theater. I don’t call it freedom when you go hiking in a national park and because recent laws allow guns there you now have to be afraid that some crazy person walks around with a semi-automatic weapon.
More guns is not the answer to this problem, like many NRA members and the gun lobby advocate. We are living in the 21st century and not in the Wild West anymore.
Let’s get a movement going to get rid of guns, the same way we changed our attitude about smoking. America was a leader in the anti-smoking movement. Europe finally followed that lead. Let’s follow the humane European model and do the right thing: “No Guns.”
It is time to speak up. People, organizations like churches, politicians etc. who don’t speak up against this cycle of violence passively enable the horrible crimes. Speak up, Congress, and don’t care whether you will be reelected again next time. President Obama, we need you to lead this movement.
Christian Foley-Beining
Healdsburg
Fix the system
Editor: Hello, Mr. Atkinson: You are trampling on facts for the sake of sensationalism.
I refer to your statement about “high powered automatic weapons that can shoot hundreds of bullets in seconds” in reference to “Our nation of laws guarantee our right to self-defense and to bear arms” (“Our town, Newtown,” Dec. 20, 2012).
Please note that automatic weapons (those that fire continuously after the trigger is depressed and until it is released) in the hands of the civilian population are banned in the state of California, much less in the United States of America. That is a law in place already.
Please note that semi-automatic weapons (those that require a separate pull of the trigger for each round that is fired) are legal. That includes hand guns, shotguns, and rifles (target and hunting).
The rate of fire that you refer to — “hundreds of bullets in seconds” — how many seconds? Five? Ten? Hundreds? “Hundreds” in 10 seconds (meaning at least 200 as a minimum, for the plural of “hundred”) is a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute, a rate that is far beyond even military crew-served weapons.
Yes, I believe that the deterioration of the social fabric of America is responsible for the insanity culminating in Newtown. Fix the gutted mental health system as well as the penal system that releases unstable and/or felonious individuals back onto the streets.
Until we all magically transform into a race that does not condone violence upon anyone, there is the need to prepare for defense of one’s self and one’s family. The time needed to respond against persons intent on bodily harm is far shorter than the time required to call 911 and await for the after-the-fact response of law enforcement.
Jeff McDonald
Windsor
Fight for local residents
Editor: Parking fees at beaches. Carrillo vows to fight. Reminds me of people who want health care and good schools but don’t want to pay for it.
I live on the coast part time. We see the joy people get every day using the beach. We also see the ugly human side of us that leaves garbage … and lots of it.
Some of the state beaches don’t even have garbage cans. This could be from funding or lack of location to place one. The parking lots or bathrooms are usually in disrepair.
With the amount of tourists who come visit the coast, it would be extremely beneficial for people to pay for parking. In return we could have better facilities and care for our state beaches.
Carrillo was responsible for finding tax money to save our sheriff helicopter. We have been complaining that they fly over the coast too often and too close to homes. Maybe he should spend time on saving funds from our taxes wasted on the gas.
We vacation homeowners also pay a special fire tax to fund our healthy funded fire department. Research shows people who use these services on the coast are tourists. On top of this special fire tax, we just received an additional fire tax. Fight for local residents to have a parking discount pass. Stop expecting homeowners to add yet another tax just because you think we can. Please.
Rick Gutierrez
Oakland