(Re: Bob Roegner’s Aug. 10 article on gun control):
Every once in a while, Mr. Roegner gets it right. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times.
Mr. Roegner is like a number of liberals who believe that we can fix any problem with just another law or regulation. The problem that we have is there are already numerous laws and regulations pertaining to gun purchase and use. Unfortunately, many of them are not enforced or just completely ignored by our elected officials.
Saying that all we need to do is simply pass another law would be comparable to suggesting that Federal Way pass a law within the city limits that would make the possession and sale of cocaine or heroin illegal. We unfortunately already know what the results of that would be.
Mr. Roegner suggests that the people concerned with guns and gun control should meet with our elected officials to discuss this problem. Does that mean that we will include other communities who may be bringing guns into Federal Way, or will we just assume that if Federal Way has certain gun controls that everybody within the surrounding area will respect those laws. I think not.
Mr. Roegner suggests that certain guns (semi-automatic) or certain types of ammunition be banned or restricted.
Obviously Mr. Roegner has never fired a shotgun which is not semi-automatic and does not have any type of large clip. A shotgun that can be purchased anywhere without the required waiting period. As much as I hate to admit it, if the shooter in Colorado had been armed with a shotgun loaded with large caliber buck shot, there could have been more casualties than there were.
The one area that I do agree with Mr. Roegner is that, being a gun owner and gun advocate, I do believe that there should be a waiting period for the purchase of any gun regardless of its type or caliber.
At present, there is a seven-day waiting period to purchase a handgun. If more time is needed to properly complete a significant background check to include a mental health screening, I have no problem. If someone is in such a hurry to purchase a gun, they probably shouldn’t be allowed to purchase it.
Those who are so interested in gun control must understand that by simply passing another law or regulation concerning guns is not going to solve the problem. It is an old cliché but very true that regardless of how many laws and regulations you pass, there will always be ways for those in the criminal element to acquire guns.
The only people that would respect and try to honor such laws are the law-abiding citizens that are responsible enough to have a gun in the first place.
In closing, I repeat a humorous statement made by someone when asked why he wished to purchase and carry a gun. He replied, “A cop is too heavy to carry around.”
Court Fraley, Federal Way
