Your Opinion: The proliferation of guns

Dale Reichel

California

Dear Editor:

So the Missouri Republican-led House passed a bill so guns are allowed in churches and on public transportation. I thought that was already OK. Now, it goes to the Senate.

Who has more rights, a gun carrier or a church where everyone else doesn't want guns in the building? What if a private taxi owner doesn't want guns in his taxi, who has more rights?

What happens at a wedding when the bride and groom want no guns at their event? Someone who attends is a gun carrier and they say, "Well, that is my right to have a gun!"

Are we going to start seeing lawsuits coming from both sides?

The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research analyzed crime data from Missouri and found the state's 2007 repeal of its permit-to-purchase handgun law was associated with a 25 percent increase in the firearm homicides rate. Between 2008-14, the Missouri gun homicide rate rose to 47 percent higher than the national average. Also rates of gun death by suicide, partner violence, and accidental shootings "shot" up as well.

I read where news outlets referred to Missouri as the "Shoot Me State."

I also heard on the radio there are over 51,000 gun dealers in the U.S. There are more gun dealers than grocery stores, Walmarts and McDonald's combined in this country, I believe they said.

I actually think these Republicans in Jefferson City will try and pass a law in the future that will legalize full- auto guns, I do. Back in the teens and 1920s, they were legal, I believe. We are going backwards, friends. Guns mean more than education, health care, labor rights, etc. What a Legislature!

You know the answer folks.

Please let your legislator know your thoughts. I do.