Mr. Tom King wrote in rebuttal [Transcript, Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 22-23] to my letter about the Connecticut tragedy that I was wrong in my opinion as to how the killer got the guns.
I stated in most cases like these, that the perpetrator was mentally disturbed and has almost always obtained the guns illegally by fraudulent means. Mr. King then states that my opinions and understanding of the facts are wrong because the guns were stolen from his mother, who legally owned them.
Even though the mother was certainly culpable in the crime, she was not the killer. Her son, who illegally obtained the guns, as I stated, was. Well, the last time I checked, stealing guns from anyone is illegal, exactly as I asserted.
Also, perhaps Mr. King does also not realize that in Connecticut, in order to possess a handgun, the person must be 21 and have a Connecticut carry permit. The perpetrator was 20 and had no permit. That is also illegal.
He is absolutely entitled to his opinions, and I will defend to the death that right for him. However, before he attacks someone else’s opinions with mistruths, as can be quite typical, he should check the facts.
The fact remains that banning an implement, a tool, an inanimate object will accomplish nothing. This is a behavioral problem, just like alcoholism, drunk driving, theft, etc., and should be dealt with accordingly, in my humble opinion.
Tom Decker
Readsboro, Vt.
Dec. 22
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