Letter: State gun laws are a good start; let's do more

I would like to thank Gov. J.B Pritzker along with Illinois lawmakers in working together to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act this past January to ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, defined as more than 10 rounds for long guns and more than 15 rounds for handguns.

This act requires those who currently own any of the items being banned to report the model, caliber and serial numbers of the weapons by registering them with the Illinois State Police.

In addition, I would like to thank our state government for having stricter gun ownership laws, where a Firearm Owner's Identification card is necessary and setting minimum age requirements for purchase of rifles and shotguns to 18 years of age and 21 years of age for handguns.

Gun violence, especially the possible threat in my school and community, is a threat to my well-being and while the new Illinois laws are a step in the right direction, we need even tougher laws to help keep our children safe.

According to Homeland Defense And Security whose database tracks all shooting incidents in K-12 schools, there were 2,275 school shootings since 1970 and 59% were committed by someone under 21 years old. Yet we still allow 18-year-olds to buy long guns with a sizable magazine of 10 rounds. This is definitely enough to cause considerable harm.

We need our government to take another look at the violence statistics and push the overall gun purchase and possession age to 21.

Jack Tanner

Deer Park