Gun Safety

I know this is an incendiary topic in Pennsylvania but we really do need to discuss it. Everyone should read this column from Tom Ferrick of The Philadelphia Inquirer. As worked up as everyone gets from the terrorist attacks of September 11th I don't see the same outrage over the epidemic of gun violence, not only in Philadelphia but in places like Reading. The Inquirer also conducted a little field survey recently about how much easier it is to purchase a handgun in Pennsylvania compared to New Jersey.

The slaughter in our streets must be abated. This isn't about restricting the rights of hunters and fishermen. These guns aren't purchased for sport. Not the kind of sport we think about. Drug gangs might consider open warfare on city streets sport but we should be, and are, terrified. It's time to begin using some common sense and realize we have September11th size catastrophes all the time because handguns are so easy to obtain and use. The issue is gun safety. It's about protecting women and children. It's about quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.