I had to respond to Tim Roark’s Sept. 6 letter “Vote ‘no’ on gun-control measure.” Roark states that he is against gun control because it would prevent him from loaning a handgun to his sister-in-law for self-defense. And why should the waiting period for a firearm be doubled?
Gun control legislation, and for that matter all laws, are not just about one person and his family. Gun control is not just about you and what might be right or easy for you. It is about the others, the folks who might have psychological issues such as alcoholism or mental disorders that affect their judgment, reasoning and impulse control. These people should have limited or no access to guns because of the danger that their “issues” might result in poor choices regarding how the guns are used. Sometimes, the rights of the majority must be adjusted so the rights of everyone to be safe are protected.
It’s not just about you. Remember that when you fill out your election ballot. Sure, no one wants higher taxes, but it is for the good of all to pay taxes to support clean air, police protection, assist the poor, etc. It is for the good of the majority to support gun legislation to keep guns out of the hands of those who might use them to harm others.
Virginia C. Wulf
Vancouver