Our society needs more gun regulation

To the editor:

That there were eight homicides in Cedar Rapids in 2014 is distressing. Random gunshots are not connected directly to the homicides. Only one homicide, not random, occurred on the street. Seven homicides occurred in or near homes. In two incidents the shooters killed themselves. Stabbing caused one death. In two cases, the means were not disclosed. Six of eight homicide victims were women, while all of the killers known were men.

Two decisions set the stage for more gunshots and more homicides. First, Gov. Chet Culver in April 2010 signed legislation changing wording for issuing gun permits from sheriffs 'may issue” to 'shall issue,” removing discretion from county sheriffs and leading to a greatly increased number of permits.

Secondly, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 28, 2010, that the Second Amendment declared the right to keep and bear arms as fundamental. Ignored were the first words of the Second Amendment: 'a well-regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free state.” The threat to the free state at that time was England. The fledgling USA did defend itself with the use of militias against England in the War of 1812. Militias would not be called on today to defend the country.

These two decisions in 2010 underlie the increase in gunshots and the increase in homicides/suicides by gun. Our society needs more, not less, regulation over the availability of guns, to fulfill the meaning of the Second Amendment.

Jeremy Brigham

Cedar Rapids