Gun Regulation: Where do your legislators stand?

It is clear to me that gains in sensible gun regulation will not come easily.  If you want to see changes, I encourage you to make your position known.  The people against implementing effective means of reducing gun violence are not rethinking their positions, as Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president, made abundantly clear.

Along with this letter to the editor, I have written each of my state and federal legislators to find out where they stand, pressure them to change their positions, or support them for pushing for effective gun regulation.

Here's the letter:

It is encouraging to think that the horrific massacre of children and teachers in Newtown, CT will lead to sensible gun regulation that puts the rights of ordinary citizens ahead of those of gun owners.  But it would be naïve to believe that it will happen without equal measures of sustained pressure on elected officials who dodge the issue, and strong public support for legislators who show the courage to stand up to the gun lobby.

Here in Greenwich, we have politicians of both types.  Our federal delegation of Representative Himes, Senator Blumenthal and Senator-elect Murphy have all come out with strong statements endorsing common-sense regulation to reduce the gun violence that is taking one American life every 20 minutes.

Where our state delegation stands is less clear. Reviewing the websites of Senator Frantz and Representatives Camillo and Floren, it’s difficult to determine what their position is on gun regulation, because they haven’t published anything on the issue other than expressions of shock, grief and support for the Newtown community.  While that is compassionate, it does nothing to prevent these tragedies from reoccurring. We do know from a Project Vote Smart questionnaire that in 2008 Mr. Camillo believed that in some respects Connecticut’s regulations were too stringent, because they prohibited or delayed some people from purchasing guns.

We need politicians who have a fraction of the courage that the teachers at Sandy Hook showed in protecting their kids.  So, Mr. Frantz, Mr. Camillo, Ms. Floren, and Mr. Walko, where do you stand?  Are you going to push for effective background checks, limits on numbers of guns purchased, bans on military-style guns and high-capacity gun clips, and mandatory waiting periods?  Or are you going put the desires of the gun lobby and Connecticut’s gun manufacturers ahead of children and teachers, movie-goers, shoppers and employees?  Please let us know, so we can decide if you need to be pressured or supported.