Faith organization supporter urges passage of federal gun legislation

Staff report

April 10, 2013

To the Editor,

I am a supporter of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence ( This organization of 46 religious denominations has as its agenda the passage of the following federal legislation:

1. Universal background checks

2. Banning high-capacity assault weapons and ammunition cartridges

3. Gun trafficking should be a federal crime

I am not a gun hater.

My husband has owned guns since he was a teenager. We have several guns in our possession. Our children were taught how to handle guns. We are grateful for the hunters who try to keep the deer under control on our land and on neighboring land.

However, no respectable hunter or homeowner needs an assault rifle or high-capacity magazines. The danger to our community exceeds any justification that can be made under the Second Amendment.

If the high-capacity assault weapon in Aurora had not jammed, there would have been more people killed. If the Newtown killer had not used a high-capacity assault weapon, not as many children would have been killed.

The point has been reached where the principle stated in the Second Amendment must be balanced with the broader interests of the public and the moral obligation of protecting our children. I believe the lives saved in Aurora and lost in Newtown are more important than the claim that there is no reasonable limit to the Second Amendment right to own such weapons and ammunition.

We should urge U.S. Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan and NC. Rep. Virginia Foxx to support the agenda of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence.


Eva P. Ingle