Chuck Grassley wrong blocks gun background checks vote

I read with interest the article in the Dec. 6 Gazette about Sen. Chris Murphy’s continuing efforts to introduce legislation to increase the number of background checks for gun sales. As a veteran, including a tour in Vietnam, I fully understand the human damage that semi-automatic and assault weapons can inflict. A rigorous background check for the purchaser of these weapons seems like a reasonable public health measure. It is not much different from requiring a vision test to drive a car or a physical examination to fly an airplane, restricting operation to those who can safely and responsibly do so. Shouldn’t the same concept apply to a potentially lethal firearm?

The U.S. House has passed a bill to expand background checks for gun sales and Sen. Murphy has repeatedly pleaded with his colleagues in the Senate to do the same. Referring to the recent school shootings, Sen. Murphy said, “This only happens in the United States of America … It happens here because we choose to let it happen … This is a choice made by the United States Senate, to sit on our hands and do nothing while kids die.” After Sen. Murphy’s impassioned plea, he asked for unanimous consent to proceed with discussion of the bill. The discussion was blocked by Sen. Chuck Grassley. That was his choice.

Thomas Cook

Iowa City