Letter To The Editor: Vote For Common-Sense Gun Safety

To the Editor:

Contrary to popular opinion, we New Yorkers have the fourth lowest rate of gun deaths per capita, behind MA, HI and RI. That’s because we have refused to normalize gun deaths on our street and in our schools. After Sandy Hook, in 2013, New Yorkers took action and passed the SAFE Act, perhaps the most comprehensive gun safety legislation in the country.

However, if incumbent Senator Terrence Murphy has his way NYSD 40 will no longer have protection under the SAFE Act. Murphy has not only campaigned against the SAFE Act, he has also gone so far as to co-sponsor S.879, a bill to repeal the SAFE Act outside NYC. Does Murphy actually think that gun violence belongs exclusively to NYC and not our rural and suburban areas, like SD 40?

Perhaps Murphy has forgotten that the Sandy Hook and Marjorie Stoneman Douglas shootings occurred in areas very much like his home town. No wonder Murphy has been honored by the National Rifle Association with a 93% score and a campaign contribution of $2000.

Pete Harckham, the Democratic candidate for SD 40, will not be getting donations or tributes from the NRA. While Harckham will protect Second Amendment rights and gun ownership by responsible gun owners, he also advocates for the Red Flag Bill, which would, under judicial direction, temporarily remove firearms from the homes of people who are deemed a threat to themselves or to others. This common sense legislation, already adopted by eleven states, would pursue due process and allow concerned family, friends, social workers, and law officers to address potential threats.

So, SD 40 voters, let’s vote for Gun Safety. Let’s vote for Pete Harckham.

Sara Campbell

Croton-on-Hudson, NY