The letter follows. We do NOT agree with anti-gun lobby groups such as SAFE that more gun controls will make our communities safer. Rather, the gun control measures now proposed will serve mostly to take guns out of the hands of peaceable citizens, leaving good people less able to defend themselves against violent criminals. Criminals just avoid the laws anyway. Through increased training and education, we believe we can reduce gun violence.
Citizens use handguns over a million times per year to thwart crime.
Even more crime is prevented because many would-be criminals are afraid to enter armed communities. Thus, households with guns help protect even the members of SAFE, because criminals don't know which potential victim might be armed. In addition, Professor John Lott has shown that a wider carry of handguns actually drastically reduces the number of mass-murders. If politicians are serious about making society safer, they will make it easier, not harder, for honest citizens to carry guns.