The big picture about gun control

It seems that many readers are missing the big picture about gun control [“Rifle rampage: Will it ever stop?” Opinion, July 10]. I agree that there is no need for individuals to own an assault weapon such as an AR-15 rifle. The recent shootings in Buffalo; Uvalde, Texas, and Highland Park, Illinois were horrific. Those individuals purchased the guns legally. Our public officials are looking to enact stricter gun purchasing requirements in New York State, and I agree.

However, most shootings in major cities are done with illegal handguns. New York City alone had 125 shootings in June and 58 shootings over the July Fourth weekend. Chicago had 310 homicides with 1,255 shootings through June. Not all criminals are going into Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy a gun.

Crime is out of control in these cities. These gun killings are much greater in number than the highly publicized mass shootings. Let’s try to fix the big problem and let the police do their job. New York City used to be a safe place to visit before the pandemic, but now?

 — Bob McDonough, Huntington

As a law-abiding gun owner, I cheered the Supreme Court ruling on our Second Amendment rights. I was taken aback, though, by so many of our politicians who believe guns in the hands of law-abiding people are a problem [“Lawmakers OK gun legislation,” News, July 2].

I’m also disappointed that our governor is putting up restrictions and roadblocks to interfere with enacting the court’s ruling. As a Nassau County resident with a target/hunting license, I’ve been interviewed, submitted fingerprints, had background checks and live firearm and classroom training, and have showed good moral standing. I am allowed to carry one concealed firearm to and from a licensed firearms dealer, and also to and from a lawful target shooting or hunting location. Law-abiding gun owners are not the issue here. We happen to enjoy our rights and understand how they are different from a privilege. Please don’t make more rules and regulations that could easily turn a law-abiding gun enthusiast into a criminal over a technicality. Enforce the laws, stop the revolving-door justice, and realize that all the laws that continue to be passed only affect the law-abiding residents.

— Steven F. Cassidy, Franklin Square

How many lives must be lost to gun violence before our local Catholic leaders — Bishop John Barres, head of the Roman Catholic Church on Long Island, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan — concede that guns kill? Other Long Island religious leaders call for gun control, while local Catholic leaders have placed the blame on mental health issues [“Take direct actions to end gun violence, say some LI religious leaders,” News, May  29].

Perhaps our bishop and cardinal can learn a lesson from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, who tweeted: “The Second Amendment did not come down from Mount Sinai. The right to bear arms will never be more important than human life. Our children have rights too. And our elected officials have a moral duty to protect them.”

Instead, the bishop and cardinal preach as though “right to life” is the sole defining criteria for being Catholic and support banning the Eucharist from Catholic supporters of abortion. The hypocrisy boggles the mind

— Jim Hickey, Westbury

A reader noted that when the Constitution was written, only single-shot pistols existed and single-shot rifles were loaded, quite slowly, and assault rifles and today’s pistols could not have been envisioned. Therefore, the right today should be limited to the weapons available when the Constitution was drafted.

Following that logic, freedom of speech should be limited to the town crier, and freedom of the press should be limited to the use of printing presses that existed during the colonial period. The Constitution does not limit the right to bear arms to single-shot rifles.

The right to bear arms means that Americans have the right to bear arms aside from the government, and they can form a militia that is managed and regulated well, with no influence by any government level.

The purpose of this right is to guard against a rogue government. The first thing a potential dictator does is disarm the population.

— Gerald Fortsch, Smithtown

The editorial “Gun talk must turn to action” is accurate [Opinion, July 7]. In this case, it specifically refers to Aiden McCarthy, the orphaned 2 1⁄2-year-old in Highland Park, Illinois, another victim of gun violence that is so prevalent in America. It is unfathomable that our society has experienced such horrific, senseless deaths.

It is gratifying to note that there has been new legislation to combat these killings, whether they be massacres or single deaths. One death due to gun violence is one death too many. Some strides have been made, but it is not good enough. Why are assault rifles still being sold? Why is concealed carry being approved, even with some caveats?

While the action might be viewed as enacting sensible legislation, the real action should be voting for candidates who will push for ridding our country’s access to the easy accessibility of weaponry.

— Lois A. Schaffer, Great Neck

The editorial on gun control “Small gun step beats no step” sheds some light on an important issue that is dividing America [Opinion, June 14].

There needs to be more “common sense” and “sensible improvements” introduced into the debate if we are ever going to make progress on this crucial issue. And the editorial is right — we need to make progress, even if it is baby steps. I applaud any politician who contributes to this concept.

We cannot have everybody walking around with a gun, and we cannot punish manufacturers for making a gun. Both sides need to step back and realize what is at stake — a civil society that protects the rights of all citizens and allows them to live a safe and rewarding life. This is America.

We need to focus on what may be the real problem — the mentally ill who want to hurt innocent people and destroy that safe and rewarding life. Any politician who adopts that platform is a winner.

 — Kenneth P. Lebeck, Plainview

Suspect Robert Crimo III is not the only one who may be responsible for killing seven people and wounding dozens of other innocent people at the Fourth of July parade at Highland Park.

We also can consider as responsible all the politicians who refuse to ban assault weapons.

 — Samuel Ango, Baldwin