Phoenixville Letter To The Editor: We Must Stand Up To The NRA

The following letter to the editor was submitted by a Phoenixville resident and Patch reader. To submit a letter to the editor to Patch, please email justin.heinze@patch.com. Letters to the editor are written by readers, and do not reflect the opinions of Patch.

Dear Editor,

I am tired. Tired of being angry. Tired of hearing about thoughts and prayers for parents and families who have lost loved ones to mass shootings or senseless gun violence. But most of all I am tired of politicians who tell us that this is a crime of hate and that we should address the root causes by providing more care for those with mental illnesses, the latest response from Sen Grassley to the Parkland shooting.

No one can argue against care for those who suffer from a mental illness. But to use that as a cure for the senseless gun violence we allow and perpetuate in our country is criminal. Sen Chris Murphy (Democrat from Connecticut) stood before his fellow Senators and announced that it is not a coincidence or bad luck that these mass shootings occur in the USA and only in record numbers in the USA. It is the result of the opposition our legislators show towards any sensible n violence prevention laws and their willingness to sacrifice our children for the sake of NRA support.

We march against a President who divides our country, attacking the dreamers, immigrants, the middle class. A President who supports the NRA in every way. Let us march to the polls and elect representatives at every level who will stand up to the NRA and enact laws that will 1) provide thorough background checks for ALL gun sales, closing existing loopholes 2) Ban automatic and semi-automatic weapons 3) Ban bump stocks 4) ban large capacity magazines and vote against the concealed carry reciprocity bill now pending in the Senate and yes, provide the funds to truly provide the help those with mental illness need.

Charlotte Valyo

Phoenixville, PA 19460

Patch file photo