Supporters of stricter gun laws are chasing shadows

Another day and another letter to the editor supports stricter gun laws. A glaring fact in these letters is they contain lots of good intentions of concerned citizens, but are usually devoid of statistics supporting the writer's feelings.

Two issues must be considered to evaluate the need for changes in laws. Is there an increase in danger of gun ownership in America? Why is the Executive Branch using the gun issue to divert attention from issues that are factual dangers to our country?

The writers of the aforementioned letters are being fooled into chasing a bogus issue. They are like my 8-month-old puppy that chases squirrels or the light of a laser pointer as long as they are visible.

America does not have the highest murder rate of any nation. The cities with the worst gun crime are controlled by Democrats and have the strictest gun laws.

There is copious evidence that the message from the president on the necessity of increased gun control will stop events like the recent shootings is false. The part of society that "feels" the president is trying to make us safer continues to chase the light of his laser pointer.

If we stop falling for the rhetoric and take a hard look at our country, we would see our federal elected are ruining our economy, jobs, and liberty. Party notwithstanding, the damage to our economy is a result of laws passed by the Congress, signed by the president, and upheld by the Supreme Court. The three branches are bought by big business to do things to make them richer and steal our taxes. Unless we stop chasing squirrels our lives will continue the present downward slide.

James Troxler

Bradenton

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Supporters of stricter gun laws are chasing shadows ."