It is apparent that the author of the New Haven Register's recent editorial has focused on the wrong premise when he accuses corporate negligence and society’s tolerance as reasons for gun violence.
Most likely the blame belongs with the inattentive parents or no parental guidance at all. High Standard, Marlin, Mossberg, Olin’s Winchester and Smith-Wesson are not the culprits.
As a 10-year-old, my father bought me a Marlin hex barrel, lever-action, .22 Long rifle calibre rifle with a multiple cartridge tube. Before one shot was fired, he taught me gun safety, the need to unload any un-expended ammunition and insure the “gun safety” was on while transporting the weapon. After proper cleaning, a trigger guard was secured to which Dad held the key.
In the case of the Sparks family of Kentucky, sorry to point out, the father is the idiot. He buys a rifle for a 5-year-old? Never checks to see if the gun is void of ammunition? Leaves an unattended gun within the reach of a curious kid? We aren’t dealing with a 4th of July cap pistol! It was a recipe for disaster.
Unbalanced individuals committed the Colorado and Sandy Hook massacres. How do you regulate them? The majority of Connecticut’s murders are the result of unregistered firearms. How to you regulate those?
William F. Lanzoni
Cheshire