Gun-free zone

Editor,

Gun Control News reports covering a Jan. 29 Sacramento Legislative hearing by Fresno Bee’s Dan Walters and L.A. Times revealed: California already has a backlog of nearly 20,000 people with criminal and mental health issues who are currently prohibited from owning guns but are known to possess about 40,000 weapons. Governor Brown, California Justice Department officials and politicians knowingly know these 20,000 criminals and mentally unstable people illegally possess 40,000 guns in California. Politicians say it will cost $25 million to confiscate the criminals 40,000 guns ($1,250 each gun).  

California politicians give billions to high-speed rail boondoggles and other pet projects, while failing to allocate $25 million to confiscate guns from 20,000 known criminals and mentally disturbed people. Each year the list increases by 2,000 criminals with guns who commit armed robberies, mass murders and home invasions. Politicians facilitate this mayhem on innocent people by failing to enforce current gun laws.  

Politicians need to get their priorities straight, enforce current laws instead of disarming honest, law-abiding citizens. Too many politicians advocate confiscating guns from law abiding citizens. I say if politicians truly believe disarming law abiding citizens will make people safer, politicians should make the capital a gun-free zone. No exceptions.

Politicians can set an example by showing us how to feel secure without guns available for protection.  

Russell Waymire
Hanford