LETTER from RICK BROCKWAY

Gun Deaths?

What About DUI, 9/11?

To the Editor:

Whenever I decide to comment on something, I first gather the facts. That, however, doesn’t seem the practice of many people in the area.

First, the League of Women Voters commented on the 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Movement. Then it was Mary Ann Whelan and others.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and they can speak or write their thoughts. The Freedom of Speech is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. You see, I don’t just pick and choose the rights that I like. I value and support all of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

At the October county board meeting, I was asked by the leaders of the 2AS movement to submit their 3,295 petition signatures and read a statement. The members of the group were unable to do it in person because of COVID-19. If they could have been there, over 300 2AS members would have been standing in front of the County Office Building to show support for the movement. It should be noted: At that time I did not present the resolution.

I find it amusing and ironic that everyone has decided without reading it what it actually says. They say, “it’s unconstitutional,” “disrespectful,” “undermining law enforcement,” and “against our oath of office.”

Unlike Nancy Pelosi, who said you have to vote on it to know what’s in it, you have to read their resolution to know what’s in it.

They have no idea. The resolution was later submitted to members of the Public Safety Committee and
forwarded to Ellen Coccoma, the county’s attorney. She will check over its legality before it goes back to committee and eventually to the full board for a vote.

These same people who oppose the 2AS movement were elated that the Village of Cooperstown was made a sanctuary haven for illegal immigrants. That movement also forbids law enforcement
to come in and enforce the law.

Gosh – oppose law-abiding citizens of the county, but welcome and protect those who
have broken federal law.

Mary Ann, you stated that 25 children a week die from gun-related deaths.

I suppose that includes the war zones of South Chicago, Baltimore and New York City. That’s 1,300 questionable gun-related deaths a year. In 2019, 70,980 people died of opioids. We don’t blame you because you were a doctor and may have prescribed some of these drugs during your career.

You say that gun crime is down during the NRA convention. That makes me laugh. According to John Hopkins University, better than 220,000 and upwards to 440,000 deaths occur annually due to doctors’ malpractice. It seems the odds are far batter being a member of the NRA than going to the hospital.

In 2019, 30 people a day were killed by drunk drivers, yet we don’t blame the Ford or the Chevy. We were told not to judge all Muslims because of the few terrorists who attacked America and killed over 2,996 people and injured another 6,000 people in the Twin Towers, United Flight 93 and the Pentagon.

What’s the difference?

Whelan quoted the second and third words of the Second Amendment – “well regulated.” She forgot the fourth – “militia.” She also forgot to mention the last statement – “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” That’s all they want.