Letter to the Editor: Fear vs. greed
BY Jay Van Allen, Tulsa
Monday, January 28, 2013
1/28/13 at 8:12 AM
In 2005, the Republican-controlled Congress delivered a long-sought victory to the gun industry when it voted to shield firearms manufacturers and dealers from liability lawsuits. No doubt the firearms industry became alarmed when it saw the tobacco industry being held responsible for the damage its products caused and it was time to put its lobby to work buying politicians.
If the country ever does decide to make a real effort to stem the tide of gun violence, it will have to make the penalty for selling a gun to a criminal, a mentally ill or obviously unstable person a significant financial burden for the firm and incarceration for the individual conducting the transaction.
I expect that you would see a whole new level of corporate and personal responsibility. For most rational people fear ultimately overcomes greed. At the same time this should in no way interfere with the legitimate transactions conducted for purposes of personal defense or sport by responsible citizens.
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