"Gun violence is not a “public health crisis” requiring bans and liability insurance."  by Don Smith

To the Editor (Times of Wayne County):

Gun violence is not a “public health crisis” requiring bans and liability insurance.

Consider these major causes of deaths and their percent of total deaths in 2019: 

(1) Heart Disease: 635,260; 23.1%;   (2) Cancer: 598,038; 21.7%;   (3) Accidents (unintentional): 161,374; 5.9%; ..... (12) Gun Violence: 38,730; 1.4% 

Some seek a ban on the commonly used modern sporting rifle or AR-15, albeit cosmetically similar to a military rifle, yet factually a semi-automatic rifle. Fully automatic firearms are prohibited from citizen ownership by the Firearms Act of 1968. FBI statistics show AR-15s to be used in 1.4% of crimes involving firearms and 0.25% of all crimes. 

Finally, though well intentioned, proposals for gun liability insurance misunderstand a fundamental principle of insurance.  It is designed to cover fortuitous, or accidental events, “...not intentional behavior such as criminal acts...”, according to Willem O. Rijksen, vice president of public affairs for the American Insurance Association. This applies to guns, cars or any instrument that is used to deliberately harm a person. 

Consider this statement by State Senator Pam Helming: “It is time to stop playing politics and pass legislation that is clearly written, has been vetted by the public, and will truly protect our citizens without stripping the rights of law-abiding citizens.”

NRA spokeswoman Stephanie Samford reminds us: “Insurance is not needed to exercise any other Constitutional right”.

Don Smith, Chairman

Wayne County S.C.O.P.E.
P.O. Box 608
Macedon, NY 14502

Times of Wayne County
P.O. Box 608
Macedon, NY 14502