Now is the right time to discuss gun control

Every time a mass shooting occurs in this country, we hear, "Now is not the time to discuss gun controls." When is the right time?

There have been more than 1,500 mass shootings in this country since December 2012, when a gunman killed 20 children, six adults and himself at Sandy Hook Elementary School. On average, there is more than one mass shooting every day in America.

I understand the Second Amendment. I am not suggesting we take away all guns. I'm all for using guns to hunt or protect yourself. But, let's be honest. No hunter, or homeowner, needs automatic or semi-automatic weapons. Nor do they need silencers, which the NRA is currently promoting.

No one with a history of mental illness should have guns. (President Trump signed a bill to make it easier for them to do so in February.) Let's listen to the experts - police chiefs - who advocate for reasonable gun control legislation. The NRA is against every type of gun regulation. No - increased gun regulations and better background checks won't save every life. People will still be murdered by guns. But, common sense restrictions will save the lives of many gun victims.

In 1996, the NRA persuaded Congress to strip the CDC's funding for gun violence research because it showed that more guns in homes sharply increased gun homicides. Congress then passed a measure forbidding the CDC to spend funds "to advocate or promote gun control." President Obama issued an executive order for the CDC to research gun violence. Congress wouldn't provide funding. Imagine if cancer research was abruptly ended, while deaths continued to pile up. Would there be public outcry?

States with tighter gun control laws have fewer gun-related deaths per capita. Reasonable gun regulations would save lives. Illinois politicians have taken money from the NRA. Hold them accountable.

Amy Somary

Arlington Heights