Dear Mr. {redacted},
A few people have responded to my Press Release with the expected responses so, I want to clear up any confusion about my position on gun ownership/control.
First of all, as a gun owner myself, I am not opposed to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, when the writers of the Second Amendment wrote about the right to bear arms, they had muzzle-loaded, flintlock rifles in mind so, in the past, I’ve somewhat sarcastically suggested that perhaps the government should issue every “able-minded” citizen a flintlock rifle.
I doubt their capacity to do much of anything but, I am in support of the IL General Assembly passing a conceal carry law. State Rep. Brandon Phelps of Southern Illinois has been a sponsor of such a bill and, as I understand it, there would be some pretty strict restrictions required in order to keep such permits out of the hands of the “crazies.” I can imagine that the FBI licensing process is stringent so, I hope that I’m not wrong to assume that you wouldn’t support letting every Tom, Dick, or Harry walking down the street to freely have such a permit.
It seems that some people, that responded to my Press Release, believe that the 20 children that were recently slaughtered via gun violence, and every other child or innocent adult that were gunned down before or since then, are considered acceptable collateral losses; in order for them to enjoy their “toys” which may be capable of piercing armor plate a state away. I, on the other hand, do not.
It is my hope that one day this great nation of ours will join the civilized world and give up our barbaric ways of slaughtering our own. I understand that even U.S. military personnel are more likely to die from gun fire here in the U.S. than while stationed abroad (even in Afghanistan and previously in Iraq). In 2006, I was selected as one of four Americans by the National League of Cities for a McCloy Fellowship in Urban Affairs. We spent three weeks in seven German cities learning about the municipal forms gov’ts in Germany. One of my fellow Americans was a Lt. from the Phoenix Police Dept. While in Cologne, which has a similar population to Phoenix (just over 1 million; 31% immigrants, 17% non-German), we learned that in 2005, Cologne had three murders compared to over 300 murders in Phoenix.
It is time for all Americans, who believe that we all have “…certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”, to say, “Enough is enough.”, and take back control of “our” country from the crazies and the criminals.
I make a whopping fifty-seven cents an hour as Mayor of Carbondale so, I neither have nor want the luxury of lingering in the clouds behind the protection of an ivory tower. As a mayor of Anytown, USA, it is my sole duty to stand for my neighbor’s children and provide for the public’s health and safety. Perhaps in 27 months, when this term is up, I’ll decide to “have a nice day,” as you suggested, and work on my wife’s “To Do List” but, until then I’ll continue to fulfill my Duty to God and Country. In the meanwhile, feel free to support my future opponents; in fact, I’ll be sure to forward them your email message.
Sincerely,
Joel Fritzler, Mayor
