Blame Drugs Not Guns

To the Editor:

This is in response to the Million (Misled) Moms, who insist that they simply want “common sense legislation.” They continue to distort the facts. Yes, 3,200 deaths were due to firearms in the US in 1997. (They don’t mention that 54.2 percent where suicides.) The total number of gun violence incidents has been decreasing steadily since 1992. (CDC)

Guns have defended between 1.5 and 2.5 million legitimate gun owners from violent criminals, would-be rapists, and stalkers this year alone.

I am the mother of two sons. I also am concerned with the increase of violence in our children. My common sense tells me that guns have been a part of our culture since the Mayflower. So what is causing these kids to exhibit such rage, anger, and bizarre behavior? I find it interesting that the increase in youth violence coincides with the increased usage of psychiatric prescription drugs. According to “The Hidden hands of Violence,” Freedom magazine, January 1999, Kip Knikel.

T.J. Soloman and Columbine’s own Eric Harris were all being treated with Ritalin, Dexedrine, and/or Paxil. There are 8 million of our nation’s school children being prescribed these mind altering drugs. This scares me more than any gun without a trigger lock. Each of these drugs is known to have side effects that include agitation, mood or mental changes, bizarre behavior, panic attacks, and hallucinations (IntelHealth, drug search). My “common sense” tells me that if these kids weren’t on these strong psychiatric drugs they wouldn’t have the “urge” to use a gun in the first place. So all you Million Moms who want more gun control, do your fact finding. You are in fact marching to wipe out our Second Amendment. Most of your demands are already law in Connecticut. Under the Democratic leadership (I use the term loosely) the convictions of gun violations have been the lowest since 1992. Instead of taking away our Constitutional right, demand stiffer sentences, and penalties. Even the Million Moms have the right to defend yourselves; Rosie did.  

Jennifer Knecht

Washington                             September 11, 2000