In the April 5 Tribune, the top headline was “Background checks have costs.” The information came from St. Paul (Associated Press). I know there is a paper from St. Paul that is a far-right Republican paper. The article talks about how much it would cost to put together background checks. That information is already put together. Anyone who has a computer knows that if they want to check on anyone’s background they can purchase a site and get it. There is a small monthly charge for this. The article talks about going through old court records to get it into a database. This has already been done. There is no doubt those gun lobbyists will come up with anything to sway the vote for background checks on people purchasing firearms. This fallacy is just an example of what those Republicans will come up with to argue against passing the bill. If background checks pass and they save one life it will be worth it. If that one life was your child, grandchild, niece or nephew you would certainly agree.

I find it so hard to understand that when 80 percent plus of Republican voters and 90 percent plus of all voters are for background checks that our legislators have such a problem with passing the bill. It just goes to show how powerful the firearms lobbyists are. Do we want legislators that do our bidding or do we want legislators who can be bought out by those firearms lobbyists.

I have had the opportunity to talk to some firearms owners that enjoy going to South Dakota to hunt prairie dogs or coyote hunting. They enjoy using those guns. I’m sure they are responsible gun owners. I doubt if any one of them would fail a background check. None of them said they needed a 30-round clip to do their bidding. Anyone who feels they need a clip that holds 30 rounds must have an insecurity problem. It makes them feel they are the fastest gun in the West or something to this effect.

So let’s all start letting our legislators know how we feel about background checks, and if a gun dealer fails to do so, they are penalized for it. Let’s get back to the majority rules in our country. I believe that’s in our constitution.

 

Wayne Thorson
Albert Lea