I constantly read of politicians spewing their mantra about gun control (“Pols Go ‘Post’al Against Gun Lobby,” July 11).
Keeping predicate felons in prison without parole would certainly have kept guns out of the hands of the criminals who shot two of New York City’s Finest.
Kenneth M. Tomeo
New City
Hey, Mayor Bloomberg. With very tough gun control, how did the felons get hold of guns to shoot at the two police officers in Brooklyn?
How about allowing police officers to do their jobs and allowing law-abiding citizens the ability to defend themselves if they’ve passed all appropriate background checks?
We should be more concerned with enforcing the laws we have on the books and finding reasons to keep these felons locked up.
Leonard Daniels
Manhattan
“Pols Go ‘Post’al Against Gun Lobby” fails to mention that law enforcement always has had access to gun-trace data for actual criminal investigations, as this sad Brooklyn shooting case is.
The Tiahrt Amendment has been in place since 2003 and has never hindered a crimi- nal investigation. There is no reason for mayors to have access to the data for other purposes.
Vin Agosta
Glen Head
I find myself disturbed by Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Bloomberg as they rant against the laws restricting the ATF from investigating legitimate gun purchases.
Laws already prohibit the thugs who shot the heroic policemen from having guns, yet these criminals procured the weapons anyway.
Do Kennedy and Bloomberg really believe that laws restricting weapon purchases will prevent career criminals from getting guns?
These politicians are either ignorant of street life, distrusting of the law-abiding citizens who need to defend themselves, or both.
The data are clear: In states that support conceal-carry permits, crime has dropped substantially. Those states reluctant to issue permits or forbid them entirely will continue to see their crime rates climb.
Patrick T. Reynolds
Union, Ky.
Bloomberg wants people to know that whoever opposes him on gun-control stands for criminals. On the very clear face of it that simply isn’t true.
This is just another instance of the mayor trying to criminalize whoever doesn’t go along with his views.
His noise-abatement scheme hasn’t worked very well, and now that people smoke in the doorways of every office building, the entire city has just become one big, smelly ashtray.
The congestion plan should be taken in context – there’s not going to be a substantial reduction in congestion or cleaner air, only that those in Manhattan will have to pay to leave and re-enter the area.
New Yorkers may have learned that voting for rich guys doesn’t make the air, traffic, noise, civility or safety of the city any better.
Steven Wolosker
Manhattan