Gun sense

http://www.timesargus.com/article/20150125/OPINION06/701259937

"A gun rights advocate dismissed 4.1 percent *(169 attempts to purchase and 7 confirmed prohibited persons)* as an insignificant number, arguing that it was wrong to interfere with a legal process to block seven out of 169 purchases. It is a familiar complaint — punishing the majority of law-abiding gun owners because of a small minority.

But crime is always the activity of a minority. A background check such as that required by federally licensed gun dealers does not compromise the ability of law-abiding sportsmen or others to make a purchase. It places another obstacle in the path of people with a criminal record or a record of mental illness. That’s why we have laws — not because most of us are likely to commit a crime, but because a tiny fraction of us will and that number must be contained.

The cause of gun control faces what might be called an anger deficit. Gun lovers often resort to aggrieved rhetoric about their Second Amendment rights, taking on a tone of anger and defiance. They may be in a minority as polls suggest, but politicians are generally reluctant to court that kind of anger."
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This is an editorial but interesting to read. Only 34% of households report owning guns but on gun issues every single one of them votes. So it seems that 34% of the population is dictating policy to the rest of us.

Things are starting to change though. Victories in a number of states and an organized movement to prevent gun violence to balance the Gun Lobby are building on each other. You CAN vote against the NRA and keep your office and legislators are beginning to figure it out.