Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Mall Shooting & Conceal/Carry Rights
This past week, in response to the firearm discharge that occurred at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman issued the following statement:
“Three months ago, the Supreme Court made it more dangerous to go to the mall in America. The NYSRPA vs. Bruen decision made it easier to carry guns in public places, and Maryland followed suit, removing the ‘good and substantial reason’ that had been required to obtain a concealed carry permit. The following month, concealed carry permit applications in Maryland soared by 700% compared to the same month in 2021…
“For four years, I have made it a priority to put in place common-sense local policies to prevent gun violence and death in Anne Arundel County…
“But today, I am angry. Politicians glorify guns to get votes, the Supreme Court takes away our right in Maryland to pass and enforce our own gun permitting laws, and the result is terror. I will stand with our law enforcement community and push back against this idea of promoting guns in public places. It’s dangerous and it’s stupid.”
What do you think of Pittman’s statement? Are gun laws adequate or not in the nation? Maryland? Or should our political will focus more on criminal behavior and mental health versus gun laws?
Here’s what you said:
After the shooting and deaths of the Capital Newspaper staff, Maryland led the way in gun control legislation including red flag alert. But until there are federal law paying to all states, there can be no true gun control. Also sentencing for breaking existing law needs to be strengthened. Too many let out on bail only to commit gun crimes again.
Joan Arnold, Annapolis
I agree with and support Pittman completely. There should be no concealed carry and there should be a ban on ALL assault-style weapon ownership by civilians.
Maureen Reightler, Annapolis
Maryland and the nation need tough gun laws that restrict the right to carry a weapon into a public place, that require background checks and training for all that are licensed to own a firearm. Mental health awareness and training is essential to establish that disputes must not be settled with guns. Increased funding for suicide awareness and training is also critical. The Second Amendment does not guarantee the right to own a deadly weapon. That right was reserved to a well regulated militia. The states and the nation should be free to regulate gun ownership and use.
Jon Mueller, Annapolis
My husband and I used to walk in the mall regularly during inclement weather. I won't even consider doing that anymore. Unless I have business in the mall, I won’t go there—which means I don’t buy anything unless the purchase is planned. I’m angry along with Mr. Pittman. Why should I be concerned about my life when I go shopping or to a restaurant located in the mall? What has this country come to?
Marianne Drumm, Crofton
What an extreme response to an accidental discharge of a gun. Did the shooter then go on a rampage and start killing people? If he did, I hope that there was a good guy with a gun to stop him in his tracks.
Julia Jones, Edgewater
Saying that the supreme court made it more dangerous to go to the mall is pure hyperbolic politics. And the decision had nothing to do with the ACCIDENT that happened in the mall. He used the incident as an excuse to make a statement that spreads unfounded fear, distracts from his Failures in office, and try to point the finger elsewhere. Awful.
Laura Gayvert
Steuart Pittman is totally wrong trying to control people and guns. I'll bet the gun used at the mall was illegal. Why penalize people wanting to protect themselves (and probably him, with bodyguards) while thugs can carry at will. A stone killed Abel; a stone killed Goliath. It isn't the stone that is at fault!
Anne Hemmer, Annapolis
I'm sure I'll anger many people, however, I will never understand how anyone can feel safer with citizens carrying firearms in public places. This is a common sense issue to me. I think guns in Maryland should be restricted to the home (to protect your family), your brick-and-mortar business, and the hunting ground. In addition, restrictions should be placed on the type of firearm citizens may lawfully own. Lastly, I believe a strict penalty should be assessed for anyone breaking the law. I'm tired of hearing the same old story about defending ourselves from a government takeover as our children and innocent people are murdered by gun violence across the nation. This fear is unreasonable. I'm shocked these people are less fearful of losing a loved one to gun violence.
Jill Chaney-Bruno, Crownsville
As a women who has trained and knows how to be her own 1st responder, I am troubled by Pittmans comments (again). He speaks of 'Maryland's' rights - by that he means local government's rights with no thought of the basic human right of self protection.
I love the quote by Colonel Jeff Cooper "the media insist that crime is the major concern of the American public today. In this connection they generally push the point that a disarmed society would be crime-free society. They will not accept the truth that if you take all the guns off the street you still will have a crime trouble, whereas if you take the criminals off the street you cannot have a gun problem."
Jeanne Rieken, Edgewater
As a victim of a gun crime, I know that the police are only minutes away when seconds count. They are minutes away from when the incident is reported not when it occurs. The 2nd amendment supports the individuals inherent right to defend themselves from all threats including those that occur in shopping malls. It is my right to choose the means in which I would defend myself and I am also angry. I am angry that there are politicians who would strive to take away that right and have sworn a solemn oath to support our constitution but undermine it's validity by trying to pass laws that would interfere with our god given rights that are secured by our constitution.
Brenda Scarborough, Baltimore
I've heard a lot of politicians talk about how to disarm law abiding citizens, but I don't hear much about how to get the illegal guns off the street. There are a lot of examples of a good guy with a gun stopping crimes. It's not the gun that shoot people, it's the criminal holding it.
Charlie Boecker, Owings Mills
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