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Is It Time for More Gun Control?

Friday's massacre of 20 first-graders and six adults by a heavily armed gunman in Newtown, Conn., has revived the debate over gun control. We'd like to hear from readers if you think more controls are needed and, if so, what kind.

Armed with two powerful handguns and a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle, Adam Lanza blasted his way through Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Friday.

He killed 20 first-graders and six adults, all women, shooting his victims multiple times, before taking his own life. Among those killed was his mother, a gun enthusiast who had often taken him to a local shooting range.

The massacre – coming on top of several other recent mass shootings in the United States, including the April 2 killing of seven people at Oikos University in Oakland – has reignited the gun control debate.

California Senator Dianne Feinstein on Sunday said she would introduce a bill to renew the national ban on assault weapons that lasted for a decade from 1994-2004 before it expired. Some critics viewed the ban as ineffective.

In a statement Friday, Bay Area U.S. Rep. George Miller, whose district includes parts of the East Bay, said it's time "for serious reflection about how we can reduce the flow of guns into the wrong hands." The nation, he said, must "honestly discuss how to prevent people intent on carrying out these savage attacks from so easily obtaining guns and ammunition."

President Barack Obama, speaking at a memorial service Sunday night in Newtown, pledged to "use whatever power this office holds" to stop such massacres and said there was no “excuse for inaction." The New York Times described the President's remarks as "hinting at a fresh effort to curb the spread of guns."

Should we place tighter restrictions on guns and gun ownership? Should they be banned entirely? Or should we make it easier for more people to arm themselves?

We'd like to know what Patch readers think. Do you think gun control laws should be more strict or less strict? If you support more control, what should it be and how should it be enforced?

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Belle (Orchid Lady) December 23, 2012 at 09:23 pm
I see...no ideas as usual.
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 23, 2012 at 09:28 pm
Why don't you enlighten me then Mark, by specifically answering my questions please. If there are Federal laws requiring all gun sales to be made by licensed dealers what are they? Why aren't ammo and military surplus only allowed to be sold by dealers? Why can I go to Vallejo and buy a bullet proof vest at a store?
Mark Mathews December 24, 2012 at 04:13 pm
Penny? Comment?
Mark Mathews December 24, 2012 at 04:14 pm
Did any of you ladies who read this last comment of mine agree, that you would rather have a Glock in your purse, or a mobile phone, when you are walking alone at night?
Mark Mathews December 24, 2012 at 04:20 pm
Aside from Belles' answer (and my thanks to you!), the response to this standing question appears to mimic the sound of one pin dropping. Me thinks a nerve may have been hit, no? Here is a line of poetry for you: "I suppose guilt does, the fingers which post; stifle...?"
Mark Mathews December 24, 2012 at 04:36 pm
Both lanes of a Sonoma County Highway were recently shut down because a man law enforcement states was speeding in his Porsche lost control and slammed into another vehicle traveling the opposite direction, sending a number of innocents to local hospitals. Perhaps if Porches had been outlawed, those folks would not be in the hospital now, and the driver of the porches would be alive? >sarcasm touche <
Mark Mathews December 24, 2012 at 04:37 pm
Ladies first, Belle... YOU brought them up.
Mark Mathews December 24, 2012 at 04:38 pm
I do have ideas, but nothing which the progressives here would stomach, like doing what Israel does, to counter their muslim terrorists who surround their nation.
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 24, 2012 at 06:05 pm
Yes, me first. I already brought up several ideas, of small things that can be done. You haven't addressed them. You say laws already exist. That is purposefully vague. In each of my comments I brought up good topics. Your turn....
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 24, 2012 at 06:09 pm
It has also been disproved that Israel's teachers are armed. Like many of our schools, the have an armed security officer at schools bordering Gaza and on some West Bank areas. When they go on a field trip it is common that they are accompanied by a police officer or armed guard/s. They do not arm their teachers, that's a myth.
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 24, 2012 at 06:14 pm
Mark, touche on your >sarcasm < comment above. Also, from my tablet I cannot respond to individual comments. I can only answer by making a new comment. :)
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 25, 2012 at 05:40 pm
Merry Christmas!
MICHAEL P WILSON "Independent Kid" December 25, 2012 at 05:47 pm
Forget Gun control that was so last week. You get to drive off the fiscal cliff, with Uncle Obama driving the bus. Happy New Year
Veronica December 26, 2012 at 04:31 am
I just read the series of comments and am sickened at the fact that anyone could lose sight of the story at hand. CHILDREN WERE KILLED - PARENTS ARE MOURNING. This is not the place nr the time for political, gun-bearing statements, even from MM who was so moved by Charlton Heston and thinks we should all carry a gun in our purses (and no, "assault weapons" isn't a made-up term). Personally, I have embraced this as a time to pray for the families who lost their babies. It's an unimaginable tragedy and no one should experience such pain and loss as that of a child.
Mark Mathews December 27, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Yes, you’re correct, No worries! Barak Hussein Obama would not have flown off to Hawaii on vacation nor played golf, if there were a REAL crisis in DC, would he? Naw… Happy “Mmm, mmm, mmm” New Year to you too!
Mark Mathews December 27, 2012 at 10:48 pm
I reject your claim that Israeli teachers are all unarmed. I hope you also don’t believe that President Obama actually earned that (worthless) Nobel Peace Prize for anything other than who and what he is…
Right now in our public schools (except, of course, at the Sidwell Friends school and every other swanky private school where the privileged rich liberals send their children) everybody is pretty much unarmed against the reality of criminal possibility, right? Pray tell me your solution is not to actually even the odds of a successful response to a shooting with a good person with a gun? You really and seriously are not saying that you believe that continuing to outlaw all guns on or near a school campus, and telling the teachers to just lock their doors, cross their fingers and hope for the best is the best defense against those in our society who desire to evil, no matter what laws against murders are already on the books?
Mark Mathews December 27, 2012 at 10:49 pm
And you have yet to provide those links to those law you brought up, and as I said prior, chivalry NOT being dead, “ladies first.”
I can play progressive “bad-mitten” with you all the day long, if you desire.
Mark Mathews December 27, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Belle, thank you! Merry Christmas (Happy Birthday Jesus Christ the Savior) to you, yours, and all peace loving folks!
Mark Mathews December 27, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Belle, >thanks!< How do you like your Tablet? I am still too onboard with my Toshiba Satellite Laptop to purchase one of those…
Mark Mathews December 27, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Just trying to be like my progressive foes… So, how am I doing so far?
Christian Kallen December 27, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Mr. Mathews should remember that the term of service do not allow personal attacks.
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 28, 2012 at 07:53 pm
Mark, I never said ALL Israeli teacher were unarmed. I was saying that the myth that they ARE all armed is false. In the West Bank, where Israelis are 5% of the population, and Israeli settlements are a contentious issue, as well as areas close to Gaza, there may be some armed teachers, but that number is small. It is common however for schools to be accompanied by armed guards, especially on field trips. That was my point.
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 28, 2012 at 08:04 pm
Mark, as far as 'playing progressive bad-mitten' you have been doing a good job of never answering my questions. I don't like playing games, an instead post my ideas on an issue with hopes of a meaningful debate. My two main ideas are about gun shows and private gun sale laws. Can we please discuss these small changes that can be made to current laws, that 'could' possibly reduce the number of ineligible people getting guns, and by default reduce gun violence?
We already agree (I think) that better access to mental healthcare, and more help for the caregivers of said people, would also be a good thing. I'm not sure if you want to keep playing, but I want to talk seriously. You are a gun owner, and are active with the NRA, so I can't imagine a more knowledgeable person to discuss this with, even if we don't agree.
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 28, 2012 at 08:08 pm
About my tablet...I would much prefer a laptop to it! For reading and internet surfing or watching videos, is fine. I just hate this touch screen 'keyboard' and the fact that the tablet likes to change my words. >grumpy face<
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 28, 2012 at 08:15 pm
Here are some links just from a Google search, but most of what I said above are MY ideas and thoughts and wouldn't necessarily have an article to go with it.
Loopholes- http://www.csgv.org/issues-and-campaigns/gun-show-loophole/gun-show-loophole-faq
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 28, 2012 at 08:22 pm
From Texas...:-)
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/12/19/4497888/proposal-to-close-gun-show-loophole.html
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 28, 2012 at 08:31 pm
I love the last part of this one...http://civilliberty.about.com/od/guncontrol/a/Gun-Shows.htm
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 29, 2012 at 12:44 am
Oh, and never once have I argued for/against gun free zones. I'm sticking to the topics I feel will be the easiest and most effective. That being...gun show loopholes, private sale laws and mental health issues. May we proceed with out playing 'bad-mitten'? >smiley face<
Ron December 29, 2012 at 01:31 am
I know many are against more school workers and administrators being armed at schools. I'm also told that no teachers they know are interested in carrying guns. that may be true in Napa but not everywhere. Here's an interesting article.
Hundreds of Ohio school workers want to carry guns http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/12/28/armed_teachers.html
Belle (Orchid Lady) December 29, 2012 at 02:41 am
Thanks for the link Ron. I will read it tomorrow.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Loui Loui June 17, 2013 at 08:58 am
An actual post with the information and image of the home on this site would've been helpful -Read More instead of just a lazy link.
Beau Behan June 17, 2013 at 09:42 am
Hi Keri, Thanks for letting us know. I tried to correct the &#39, but it appears to be notRead More working.
F Otterbeck June 17, 2013 at 03:17 pm
Is there any way to remove the blogs from the news page? Blogs are not news. They are opinionRead More pieces, and I would like more news. thanks!
Keri Brenner (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 05:41 pm
Hi Beau and F: Yes, the &#39 are still there and not going away. I trust that tech people areRead More working on this...Sorry. And as far as the blogs being on the news stream, I can't change that except to keep the blogs mostly at the bottom and the news on top. The new platform is designed to highlight the blogs more than they were before. Occasionally if there is a timely, useful or highly newsworthy blog post I will move it up, but in general the news will be in the first 5 slots and the blog below. Hope that helps. Keri
Louisa Hufstader (Editor) June 16, 2013 at 02:47 am
Go, Jamie! I voted, all the way out here in lobsterland where I hope you and Kevin will visit someRead More day.
Roberta Goodin June 16, 2013 at 05:49 pm
Jamie, I have clicked on you several times and wish you the best! Salad sounds wonderful! Roberta
Jamie Brown Miller June 18, 2013 at 07:07 am
You're all so very kind! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Kimberly Olson June 14, 2013 at 08:18 am
It is easy to judge people from a distance. All of us have up and down times in life, none of usRead More have the same internal or external supports to deal with it all. Maybe those among us who feel superior could try to take a moment or more to see life from the perspective of someone who (even from a position of pain or vulnerability) has too much pride to accept the stigma of being in need of the social translation of "the lowest of the low" homeless shelter or addiction counseling. It feels good to try lifting others up rather than tearing them down; Maybe your smile or expression of something other than disgust could make a positive difference to move a person in need toward help.
Unfiltered Steve Simoneau June 14, 2013 at 06:17 pm
Lo! And behold! If you check today's (Friday, June 14) Fugitive page on Napa Valley Patch you willRead More see Benjamin Paz, the one and same who was arrested for being naked at the Expo.
Ray Richards June 15, 2013 at 06:16 pm
Thank you Marlene for your story, It is a tragic and difficult life that many homeless people haveRead More to live and I always thank my god that I have been more fortunate. I would like to respectfully suggest though that you break your future comments (and I hope there are many more) into paragraphs to make them easier to read. Thank you and I hope you well.
Keri Brenner (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Not the case. It's definitely on the list of stories to cover. Absolutely! Thanks for the reminder!
J. Roland Wagner June 13, 2013 at 08:06 am
Before advocating change, be sure of what you will obtain by such a change. I haven't seen anythingRead More that concerned me with Libersteins decisions.
MICHAEL WILSON June 13, 2013 at 08:27 pm
If He is running unopposed It would be a waste of Ink. Or in the case of media of the day A waste ofRead More electricity. Look at the County Sheriff We are stuck with Who ever the Union wants
Loui Loui June 13, 2013 at 10:25 pm
I'd like to show appreciation to my grandfather on Father's Day. He taught me how to cook a roast,Read More garden, work with tools, use a shotgun and appreciate our surrounding waters. Always a patient man, my grandfather showed me so much. I got scared once when I broke a tool when we were building a skateboard ramp. He just replied with, at least you know not to do that anymore. I always admired how my grandfather loves my grandmother so much. That's old, true love. Fairy tail kinda stuff. Love we all want to grow old with. I love my grandpa with all my heart.
Keri Brenner (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 06:19 pm
Hi Loui Loui: Your grandpa sounds wonderful!
Unfiltered Steve Simoneau June 13, 2013 at 10:41 am
Loui Loui, it's called false pretenses and misleading claims. While I understand it's not theRead More editor's or tech's fault, releasing a product to the public as "New with better features!" shouldn't mean that it comes with glitches, bugs and frustration. And unlike Google+ and FB, Napa Valley Patch didn't "come out", we had a NVP that was working perfectly fine and Corporate Patch decided to upgrade. Can you imagine the ether-riots if FB did an "upgrade" full of glitches and bugs"?
Unfiltered Steve Simoneau June 13, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Actually, Loui, I left FB two years ago and haven't been back since. And while Patch and FB may beRead More "free" services they rely on users to exist. It's a symbiotic relationship, so both sides must be content for it to work efficiently.
MICHAEL WILSON June 15, 2013 at 10:24 am
I am With USS on Facebook I have never Been there. I use the Patch and a few Blogs I also have myRead More own Website. Facebook has gone into the censorship business, from what many are telling me.
Unfiltered Steve Simoneau June 10, 2013 at 06:42 pm
Why the Hispanics need their own Chambers Of Commerce is a mystery to me. Racism is the promotion ofRead More one race above others. If I supported a White/Caucasian Chamber Of Commerce I'd be labeled a bigot and racist. One Chamber Of Commerce should suffice for ALL!
Harold Edwards June 11, 2013 at 01:15 am
All the Chamber of Commerce promotes is slave labor pure & simple.It screws the worker &Read More practices unfair labor for business big and small.They are not a team player there only for the team owner!! Don't fall for there wicked ways.
Renée Bell (Courtesy photo)
Amy Larson June 12, 2013 at 02:22 pm
It says 7 comments for this article when it's on the side. When you go to the post, there are 0.Read More This will show up as the first one.
Amy Larson June 12, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Sorry, "comment". Now it's adding to the count with each real comment.
gaylon June 6, 2013 at 03:39 pm
Loui Loui, Will do! So happy to hear of your interest in this important issue..
Janice Allgower June 11, 2013 at 10:21 am
Gaylon. I will be there and bring my husband along as well. Great speaker , he should really informRead More us all on just what is going on.....
gaylon June 11, 2013 at 11:03 am
Janice, Thank you for your interest...This is a huge concern for most citizens....Bring aRead More neighbor...See you there...