Letter to the editor: Gun violence prevention laws effective and a moral imperative

Regarding the letter “Base gun decisions on facts, not emotions”: The author’s claims are based on outdated studies and directly contradict extensive data that demonstrate the broad efficacy of gun violence prevention laws.

In addition to correcting the record, this response letter is to state clearly: As a Presbyterian pastor, I can say confidently that the recent mass shootings in Virginia Beach, Boulder and Atlanta, and the epidemic of gun violence that kills 1,600 Pennsylvanians and over 40,000 Americans every year, should be an emotional issue and is a moral issue.

First the facts: 2020 studies conducted by the same researchers who did the 2004 and 2013 studies cited by the author in his letter have updated their previous assessments. The body of research now demonstrates that mass killings have increased after the ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines expired. One of those studies clearly demonstrates that background checks are associated with decreased gun deaths in general.

Our faith community is two blocks away from the Tree of Life synagogue. Squirrel Hill continues to grieve the senseless deaths of our neighbors. Anyone with compassion who values human life should be morally outraged by our society’s refusal to prevent this slaughter.

Rev. Vincent Kolb

Squirrel Hill

The writer is pastor of Sixth Presbyterian Church.