Letter To The Editor: Murphy Should Explain Gun Safety Stand

To The Editor:

Silence, absence, disregard. This is what I have come to expect from Senator Terrence Murphy.

According to a February 23 LoHud article, the Senator wants the SAFE Act to be repealed, but supports its enhanced background checks, mental health provisions, and the discretion given to judges with regards to ownership issues. So I emailed the Senator, along with two members of his staff to ask what specifically in the SAFE Act the Senator does not agree with. No reply.

According to a February 26 LoHud article about the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents' letter concerning gun safety legislation and mental health services, the Senator states, "Simple fact is New York already has the most comprehensive gun laws in the nation." So I followed up with another email, again asking why the Senator wishes to repeal the SAFE Act, which would weaken New York's gun laws. What does he disagree with, exactly? No reply.

I followed up with a third email six days later, asking if the Senator was able to answer my question. No reply.

Why is the Senator incapable of stating a clear, unwavering position on gun safety?

This is not the only issue the Senator has chosen to ignore when I've contacted his office. Whether it's fighting for women's healthcare, denouncing the hatred of white supremacists or the numerous and repeated requests from his constituents to simply hold a town hall meeting, the only consistency has been the lack of response.

Silence, absence, disregard. Guess what we may expect more of if he is re-elected in November?

Elise-Ann Konstantin, Cortlandt Manor