Two Opposing Guest Opinions on Gun Control

Waiting Periods Will Not Work By Chris Bradley, President, Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs As I understand it: The suggested need for a waiting period is as a way to help reduce impulsive acts done with firearms, specifically suicides or murders, with this being referred to as “reducing access to lethal means”. Regarding suicide by firearm: According to the Vermont Department of Mental Health, in 2016 there were 1,141 suicide attempts.  Of those, 1,070 or 94% were attempts using something other than a firearm. For those suicides where a firearm was used, the vast majority were done with a firearm that was already owned. It is actually a pretty rare event when a person will go to a store, buy a firearm and then kill themselves with it.  Regarding the impulsive use of a firearm for murder, this is not a common event in Vermont either.  Per the FBI:  Vermont is consistently the first or second safest state in the nation when it comes to violent crime.  Impulsively buying a firearm for immediate nefarious purposes is also a pretty rare event. A waiting period will be ineffective for the simple reason that people plan.  When someone decides to hop in their car, go to a store, fake any distress, buy a firearm and then go home and kill themselves with it:  That’s a plan.  No matter what time limit is imposed, if someone is determined they will simply plan around a waiting period. There are other problems with a waiting period. To begin:  Just what is the balance between the concept of a waiting period and the unalienable right of self defense?  According to the Judiciary Annual Statistical Report, there were 3,380 Relief From Abuse (RFA) filings in 2018, an increase of 8% over 2017.  Temporary restraining orders were granted for 2,636 cases.  Final orders were granted

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