Gun control

Editor,

Right now, the Colorado legislature is working on a GUN CONTROL LAW they say we the people want.

They are demonizing all guns, both long guns and handguns and the way the guns are designed to look and function. They are giving guns attributes that have nothing to do with how the guns operate or their use.

I have yet to see any gun go to a liquor store and rob it or rob a bank or shot anyone without a person first picking that gun up and purposely do those things.

Our legislature should be thinking about the person using the gun to commit a crime.

When we have career criminals victimizing law-abiding citizens, I think that is a crime in itself and should never be allowed to happen. When a criminal has a history of antisocial behavior and thinks nothing of brutalizing their victims that individual has shown they have no intention of recognizing and living in society with the rest of us. They live by their own rules and the rest of society should conform to their rules.

When a person commits a crime with use of a gun or anything that could be a weapon, for the first time, upon conviction that would be an automatic, five years with no possibility of parole in addition to the punishment for the crime it’s self. If there is any injuries to the victim that would an additional 10 years. For a second offense, the punishment would be double.

For career criminals, after the third conviction they could look for a life sentence.

I want to make it so undesirable to follow a life of crime that we would not have overflowing prisons after a generation or two.

Some will say that would cost too much. But I say the cost of allowing criminals to victimize the rest of society, by killing, maiming and victimizing is not worth the price law-abiding citizens should pay.

Many of those now leading a life of crime could become decent, prosperous citizens but chose to live outside of society. If they applied their skills, they might be able to earn far more with less worry and damage to the rest of society.

Floyd Shepherd

Peetz, Colo.