Answer to gun control legislation is at the ballot box
To the editor:
In a Fox News survey from August 2019, nearly two-thirds of Americans said they favor a ban on assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons as a measure to reduce gun violence. Support for an assault weapons ban is stronger among Democrats, at 86%. Forth-six percent of Republicans and 58% of independents said they are in favor of a ban. (Foxnews.com 8/14/19, thehill.com 8/14/19)
The same poll found an “overwhelming 90 percent of Americans support requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers. The support is statistically equal between Democrats and Republicans.” Support for raising the age to purchase guns, three-day waiting periods, closing loopholes, “red flag” laws permitting law enforcement to confiscate firearms from the those determined dangerous, and banning high capacity magazines also poll in the high majorities (Political/Morning Consult 8/7/2019). Support for gun control measures is on the rise.
These findings are supported by other polls, including POLITICO/Morning Consult and Gallup.
This begs the question of why, in a theoretical representative democracy, American citizens cannot have the laws they strongly support. There is scant hope that Congress will enact meaningful change; they have refused to act before even in the face of the murder of children. But, Americans vote every two years. The answer to the gun control legislation that the large majority demands is in the ballot box.
Susan McGuire
Bokeelia