To the Editor:
In the midst of all of the bad news about mass shootings and firearm suicides, I have some good news to share. The good news is that laws and regulations work to reduce deaths and injuries caused by gun violence.
Good news: States that have enacted common sense gun safety measures have lowered their rates of firearm suicide and homicide while still honoring the Second Amendment. A 2019 analysis found that states with laws requiring background checks for all gun sales are associated with a 10 percent lower homicide rates. (Siegel M., Boine C. What are the most effective policies in reducing firearm homicides? Rockefeller Government Institute, 2019.)
Good news: You can encourage our state legislators to listen to the majority of Ohioans – and not minority special interest groups – to close the unlicensed seller loophole and support background checks for all gun buyers (Quinnipiac University poll Jul 2019: Ohio voters support 90 – 8 percent, including 87 – 11 percent among gun owners, background checks for all gun buyers.)
Good news: We have data that shows that legislation works to reduce death and injury from gun violence, and we have a legislator in Ohio House District 3 who has publicly pledged to use data – and not emotions or special interest groups – to make decisions. (https://everytownresearch.org/background-checks-save-lives-protect-communities/)
I hope that everyone can get behind this good news and work together for common sense gun violence prevention legislation – like universal background checks – that is supported by the majority of Ohioans.
Erin Hachtel
Bowling Green
