Bill would be a boon to black-market and homemade guns
Re: “Gun bill clears Senate committee,” Jan. 30 news story
If enacted, Senate Bill 3 would, with few exceptions, ban the sale, manufacture, and transfer of semi-automatic firearms and shotguns that accept detachable magazines.
Some legislators believe they can control guns with such new legislation.
However, the black market will ensure criminals always have access to all the firearms they want, regardless of the law.
If SB-3 is enacted, Colorado’s black market will be amply supplied with guns smuggled in from other states, and home-made guns like the 3D printed FGC-9 and the Ghost Gunner, (which is a desktop computer-controlled milling machine that can mill a firearm from a block of metal).
Black markets are unstoppable. Experience shows that the black market can innovate faster than legislators can legislate. See the futile attempts to stop black markets associated with alcohol prohibition, the drug war, Colorado’s large-capacity magazine ban, and illegal fireworks.
SB-3 will actually expand the gun black market and, thus, could ironically increase gun violence because black markets are often violent.
Legislators can grandstand about gun control and enact all the gun control laws they want, but at the end of the day, guns win.
So, what to do? Well, violating individual rights with gun control is not on the path to reducing gun violence. If legislators want to address gun violence, they’re going to have to address the root causes: poverty, drug prohibition, and mental illness. And keep violent convicted criminals behind bars much longer.
Chuck Wright, Westminster
DEI still had work to do
Re: “Target ending diversity initiative,” Jan. 25 news story
I am both disappointed and surprised by the companies that are doing away with their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs on the heels of Donald Trump’s election victory and inauguration. This seems very short-sighted to me. Trump won the popular vote by less than 2.3 million votes. Millions of registered voters did not vote. It’s definitely not the mandate he claims.
A USA Today investigation of the largest companies in the U.S. found that “the top ranks are predominantly white and male, while women and people of color are concentrated at the lowest levels with less pay, fewer perks and comparatively little opportunity for advancement.” DEI programs are essential for leveling the playing field.
Companies that are ending these programs are companies that I will no longer patronize. I will be voting with my dollars, and I know many others who will be doing the same. I don’t know if it will make any difference in the decisions these companies make, but unlike them, my values don’t change based on who is occupying the Oval Office.
K Dion, Westminster
It is time to smarten up our traffic
Re: “Reduce emissions? Start with stoplights,” Jan. 24 letter to the editor
Thanks to the letter writer for calling out Denver’s stoplight management as a source of pollution and driver frustration. Nothing is more frustrating or foolish than having to sit at a 30-second red light at a lightly traveled intersection. I admit to having run many a red light because, as has been said, “I am a man, not a machine.”
On a broader scale, Denver’s traffic management is primitive. Timed stoplights, roundabouts, flashing red and amber lights at lightly traveled streets and during “quiet hours” keep traffic moving and reduce pollution. It’s called “smart streets,” and Denver seems to have a paucity of smart traffic managers.
Allan Ferguson, Denver
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