Andrew Ridilla’s letter (“What gun control is really about”) causes me to picture him barricaded in his basement with an arsenal of weapons, ready to defend against an invasion by the U.S. government. In reality, he is, and we are, more in danger going to the supermarket or movie theater, or sending our children to school. Why? Because this is where those who shouldn’t be able to purchase a weapon often strike.

In 2020, 25,000 Pennsylvanians were denied a gun purchase due to a prohibiting factor such as a felony conviction. The only thing that stopped them was a background check.

House Resolution 8 will help keep guns out of the wrong hands by ensuring that anyone who attempts to purchase a firearm undergoes a background check. Currently in Pennsylvania, private sellers are not required to run background checks on the sale of long guns, while licensed dealers must do so for these same weapons. Why should some sellers have requirements that others do not?

Join the 88% of Pennsylvanians who support stronger background checks, and support HR 8 and state House Bill 235 and Senate Bill 88 to end this dangerous private-seller exemption.

Ridilla’s comparison to communist regimes is baseless fearmongering. Canada, Australia, the U.K. and New Zealand — Western democracies similar to ours — have passed gun violence prevention policies that save lives without becoming tyrannical regimes. We formed a government “of, for and by the people” to protect the lives of citizens.

Right now, our government is failing at that basic mandate.

Joanie Foran

Franklin Park

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