NH State Rep Says Divorced Women to Blame for Gun Violence

State Representative Gary Hopper basically told a constituent that divorced women are to blame for an increase in gun violence.

From: Gary S Hopper
Date: 02/11/2014 2:37 AM (GMT-05:00)
To:  Renee, All Reps
Subject: Re: Support HB #1589

Renee,I fully appreciate you desire to keep our children safe. The rise in gun violence, suicide rates, child abuse and other crime rates began in the late 70s. These were all symptoms of a diseased society. Republican responded to this by getting "Tough of Crime" or in other words putting people behind bars. This approach worked well as far as reducing crime rates. There is a cure for the underlying disease but it requires sacrifice. In the 70s in the name a personal fulfillment we changed the very nature of our families. Pryer to the 70s when people had children their obligation was to the children NOT to themselves. In the 70s that was turned on it's head, the passing of laws like no-fault divorce took a 20% divorce rate (many of whom waited till the kids were out of school before divorcing) to a 50% divorce rate. As we devalued marriage many people saw little benefit to it, which resulted in a sharp increase in out of wedlock births and single parent homes. I know this isn't what people want to hear but the truth is Strong Families produce strong kids.
http://www.thefamilywatch.org/doc/doc-0283-es.pdf

Last July, writing about another gun-related topic, family man Rep. Hopper sent the above and inappropriate image to all New Hampshire state legislators.

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State Representative JR Hoell does not believe in any form of criminal background checks – even the ones on the books that have blocked 2 million sales to felons, domestic abusers, and other prohibited persons.

State Rep. JR Hoell is on the board of “no compromise” New Hampshire Firearms Coalition. Portsmouth Herald: “Hoell said he would like to see the universal background check be eliminated altogether. If people are concerned about school safety, he said, ‘why are we prohibiting teachers from carrying?’ If people are fearful, he suggested that they take self-defense training. "It doesn't have to be a gun," he said. ‘It could be karate, or Taekwondo or a can of mace.’”[January 2014]

In 2011, Rep. Hoell introduced a bill that would have ended the ban on guns in courtrooms, allowing anyone – including friends and relatives of both victims and defendants – to bring guns and “other deadly weapons” into courtrooms. Rep. Hoell’s bill was so extreme that even former House Speaker Bill O’Brien publicly opposed it. [HB 536, 2011; NH Insider, February 2011]

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Local Fish & Game Club Officer Rick Olson claims that background checks cause an increase in rape.

Londonderry Fish & Game Club President Rick Olson sent several emails to legislators recently in opposition to background checks. Previously, Rick Olson wrote in a background checks blog post for Granite Grok: “Delays are undoubtedly just an inconvenience for most people buying guns. But for a few, it makes a huge difference in their ability to defend themselves against assailants. Indeed, my own research suggests these delays might actually contribute to a slight net increase in violent crime, particularly rapes.”] [March 2013]

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State Representative Emily Sandblade opposes criminal background checks for gun sales – but is sponsoring a bill to require them for health care navigators.

Rep. Emily Sandblade is against requiring a criminal background check to keep felons, domestic abusers, and other prohibited buyers from easily obtaining a gun, but she is sponsoring HB 1328 to require health care navigators to undergo criminal background checks – and additionally, to be fingerprinted. NH General Court: “Applicants for a health insurance exchange navigator’s license shall submit directly to the department of safety a notarized criminal history records release form, as provided by the New Hampshire division of state police, which authorizes the release of the person’s criminal records, if any, to the department. The person shall submit with the release form a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency or an authorized employee of the department of safety.” [HB 1328]

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Statement from Granite State Progress Executive Director Zandra Rice Hawkins:

“An overwhelming, bi-partisan 89% of Granite Staters support background checks – including the majority of gun owners and NRA members. Requiring a background check every time a gun is sold is effective in keeping guns out of the hands of those with a criminal record. HB 1589 will require a background check for all commercially advertised sales. This just makes sense: responsible gun owners shouldn't put guns in the hands of people they don’t know. Outlandish claims and extreme rhetoric doesn’t resonate with the common-sense values of Granite Staters who support reasonable public safety measures.”

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