More guns doesn’t mean fewer crimes

What hunter needs a high-capacity magazine, a clip that holds more than 10 rounds, like the one a gunman used to shoot 20 people in a matter of seconds in Arizona? These magazines are for killing a lot of people fast.

The United States Constitution guarantees to our citizens the right to keep and bear arms. At the same time that we can all acknowledge this basic right, I believe that we should also be able to come together to develop reasonable, common-sense laws designed to ensure that the right to bear arms is exercised safely and responsibly.

The assumption that more guns reduces crime is a fantasy. According to the Violence Policy Center (vpc.org), the highest gun death rates are: No. 1 Louisiana, with 46 percent gun ownership; No. 2 Mississippi with 54 percent; No. 3 Alaska with 61 percent; No. 4 Alabama with 57 percent; No. 5 Nevada with 32 percent.

The lowest gun rate deaths are No. 50 Hawaii with 10 percent gun ownership; No. 49 Rhode Island with 13 percent; No. 48 Maine with 13 percent; No. 47 Connecticut with 16 percent; No. 46 New York with 18 percent.

More guns do not equal less crime.

Those in the 14th Congressional District should contact Congressman Randy Hultgren at hultgren.house.gov and urge him to sign a bill that outlaws the sale of high-capacity magazines.

Chrisi Vineyard

Oswego