Letter to the Editor: The Wrong Vote

To the editor:

State Sen. Rob Kane, R-Watertown, and State Rep. David Labriola, R-Oxford, did the wrong thing by voting no on the important package of gun-control measures last week. As President Obama put it in his speech in Hartford recently, "What is more important? Our children? Or an A rating from the gun lobby."

Obviously, Kane and Labriola value that A rating. Their reasons for voting 'no' echo the National Rifle Association's talking points. Gov. Malloy, also speaking in Hartford, said the new state laws "are not a cure," but he added that they represent "a turning point" in the debate over gun responsibility. The laws probably aren't perfect; no law is. But that's no reason to vote against a comprehensive set of measures that not only had bipartisan legislative support but also have the support of overwhelming majorities of citizens.

We must start somewhere to reduce gun violence. The laws passed last week were an excellent starting point. I think it's unforgivable that Kane and Labriola didn't understand that. They have failed our children and the adults who voted for them. They don't deserve another term in office.

David Heim, Oxford