Promote Safe Firearm Regulations, like Cars and Food

This was published in the Des Moines Register as a Letter to the Editor today.

There was a mass shooting in Perry, Iowa. I hope the people injured recover quickly and offer my condolences to those killed. I will be thinking of Perry community today, but thoughts are not enough. Reasonable, common-sense rules can prevent some harm from guns, while preserving rights of law-abiding citizens.

There’s the saying, guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Imagine the same saying about cars. Cars don’t kill people, drivers kill people. To drive a car, people have to have a license, have insurance, maintain their car, wear a seatbelt, and park their car in an allowed space.

Gun ownership is a part of American culture, like diners and cars. Just as there are regulations to increase safety while preparing food and driving, there should be reasonable regulations to promote safe gun ownership.

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