A Plea to Put Pressure on Politicians to Control Guns

With the tragedy in Tucson as a backdrop, a member of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence last week urged Five Towns residents to call their elected officials and implore them to pass tighter gun control measures.

“Too often I hear, ‘my legislator will vote the right way.’ I think it’s tremendously important to petition our elected officials,” said Colin Weaver, deputy executive director of the nearly 18-year-old organization, at the Five Towns Democratic Club’s meeting last Wednesday at the . “There’s a very clear silent majority that approves of common sense gun regulation. It’s our job to rally people and put names to the silent majority.”

After Jared Loughner earlier this month allegedly shot to death six people and wounded 13, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, gun control was once again on the minds of many, including outgoing Five Towns Democratic Club President Stephen Anchin.

“After the tragic events in Tucson, it was hard for me to think what it is about us that we can’t gain control of firearms and prevent violence,” Anchin said. “If we look at ourselves, it’s pretty appalling.”

Anchin called the office of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), who recommended contacting New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. McCarthy, whose husband was killed in the 1993 mass shooting on the Long Island Railroad, introduced last week high-capacity ammunition magazines, like the one Loughner allegedly used in the .

“In Tucson, he was only stopped after firing 31 bullets,” Weaver said. “This bill would ban future manufacturing and sale of [high-capacity magazines].” He added that the banning of the magazines is the group’s number one priority.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence tries to push for a background check for every gun purchased, Weaver said. The group would also like to increase funding for the ATF to investigate where guns end up, close the so-called gun show loophole and add mental illness history and misdemeanor crimes to the database used in background checks.

“You hit one hole and two open up,” Weaver said. “There’s no panacea to end gun violence, but we shouldn’t make it so easy for criminals to get them.”

While McCarthy serves as a strong gun control advocate for the state, Weaver said that Five Towners should contact both Democratic officials, such as Sen. Charles Schumer, and Republicans alike to urge them to do more for the movement.

“I came to Long Island because Republican senators have done no favors for the gun control lobby,” said Weaver, who added that his organization supports gun ownership. “Long Island is such a key place in the state Senate this year in putting pressure on senators. [Dean] Skelos is one.”