published: Sunday, January 20, 2013

'Assault weapons' are not the problem

Editor:

All this talk about "assault weapons" being the problem is grossly inaccurate. Take a look at the statics from the FBI site for 2011. Below is a small sample; the report can be found at www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/10tbl20.xls.

The statistics on murder in the United States shows that knives, bats, fists, and other weapons are used more often any type of rifle or shotgun. Examples: Arizona - Rifle - 14, Shotgun - 9, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 117; Alaska - Rifle - 0, Shotgun - 1, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 13; California - Rifle - 45, Shotgun - 50, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 170; Texas - Rifle - 37, Shotgun - 48, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 390; New York - Rifle - 5, Shotgun - 16, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 334.

The statistics on murder in the United States shows that knives, bats, fists, and other weapons are used more often any type of rifle or shotgun. Examples: Arizona - Rifle - 14, Shotgun - 9, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 117; Alaska - Rifle - 0, Shotgun - 1, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 13; California - Rifle - 45, Shotgun - 50, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 170; Texas - Rifle - 37, Shotgun - 48, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 390; New York - Rifle - 5, Shotgun - 16, Other than gun, Fist, Knifes, bats - 334.

Texas recorded the most rifle deaths (37), so please tell me, what is all the fuss about "Assault Weapons." They are the least used of any type of weapon.

The Newtown massacre was a horrible loss of innocent lives. All this knee jerk reaction by the President will do nothing to stop this kind of heinous acts from happening.

Is a criminal or mentally ill individual going to pay any attention to the laws? The lock on the door is there to keep honest people honest. An individual, intent on doing harm, will find a way to accomplish the task, regardless of the laws.

Where is "sound reasoning" in these situations? Why haven't we heard talk in Washington asking is there a connection between pharmaceuticals and mass shootings in our schools? Why isn't this a part of the debate? Maybe regulators should be checking medicine cabinets instead of banning guns.

School Shooting: Illinois, 02/15/2008, 6 dead, 15 wounded, in Prozac withdrawal; Minnesota, 03/24/2005, 10 dead, 7 wounded, Prozac dosage increased 1 week prior; Pennsylvania, 03/10/2001, 14-year-old shoots and wounds classmate, on Paxil; Alabama, 07/11/2011, 14-year-old kills fellow student, on Zoloft; Colorado, 04/02/1999, Columbine, 15 dead, 3 wounded, on Luvox/Zolott anti-depressants.

Common prescription drugs prescribed to children - Prozac, Paxil, Zolot, Luvox, Celexa and Cymbalta. Many for depression and ADHD; check your medicine cabinets.

It is time the President takes a hard look at the real cause; it is not guns.

John Nelson