Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Gun won't make America safer

TO THE EDITORS:

Very few on either side of the gun problem cite evidence responsibly. Try this: 16 years ago, Australia experienced a mass killing with guns. After instituting gun control, they have had no mass killings with guns. In the 18 years prior, they had 13 mass killings, and now murder by guns have decreased 40 percent.

To those who believe carrying a gun makes them safer, imagine someone threatens you. Will the attacker wait for you to get your hand on a gun? The attacker has a clear advantage, and if the attacker sees you have a weapon, he will be more likely to do you harm.

We have 30 times the kill rate by guns than does Australia. This kill rate is much greater than in any other developed country.

Willis Ratzlaff

Conestoga Township