Gun Control

By Douglas Cleon "D.C." Taylor

Guns are just part of the problem with violence in our streets and neighborhoods.

Are guns responsible for injuring and killing our fellow citizens? A similar question could be asked about an injury or a death in an automobile accident. Was the car responsible? In both cases, it is my belief the answer is no. For one reason or another, a person is always culpable.

Violence on our streets, in our schools and in our workplaces has spiraled out of control. Almost daily we see and hear reports of senseless shootings somewhere in our country.

The Second Amendment gives each citizen the right to bear arms. Only a Constitutional scholar might understand what the intent of the writers was when that Amendment was drafted. Taking the language at its face it permitted the people to do for themselves what a limited government could not provide. That is, to defend themselves at all times in their own homes. This concept must not be abridged.

However, the framers of the Constitution had no way of predicting the advent of today's automatic weapons with their mass killing power. These weapons should not be made available to private citizens. Police agencies should be permitted to use them but only on occasions when such force is required to protect themselves or other citizens.

Private citizens, on the other hand, must be responsible regarding the possession and use of legal weapons. As always, parents must teach their children proper respect for firearms. Today's breakdown of family values is directly responsible for much of the gun violence about which we read and hear. Once again, good parenting will overcome and cure many of today's social ills.

I believe in the Republican viewpoint that the best gun control is enforcing the current 675 gun control laws that are currently on California's books and not creating new laws which we will be unable to enforce. The issue is getting tough on crime through enforcement. California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer stated, "California has the most comprehensive gun control laws in the country."

I also would advocate 10-20-Life sentences for the use of a firearm in commission of a crime. This law pin points the real problem of removing these criminals who use guns from our streets. This proposed Republican bill adds 10 years to a sentence of anyone convicted of using a firearm in the commission of certain felonies, 20 years if the weapon is fired, and 25 years to life if a victim is wounded.

My opponent's argument on gun control issues might appear to be "tough on crime," but really misses the mark when it comes to making our neighborhoods and streets safer.

Yes, I believe reasonable gun control can be tolerated and could pass Constitutional muster. However, I believe the language of the Second Amendment is clear on its face and we do have a right to bear arms without government's interference.

The crime rate in Texas has dropped dramatically since their citizens can legally carry a concealed handgun. The Second Amendment gives us as citizens the right to defend ourselves if the government can't and stops crime by deterrence.

Thank you very much.

D.C. Taylor Republican Nominee 42nd Assembly District http://www.dctaylor4abetterfuture.com 310.508.4416 (For a better district, we need your vote on November 7th)