Gun-related deaths

Gun-related deaths

Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk's guest column pointed out some interesting statistics regarding gun violence and stating it is a leading cause of death in the United States (The Capital, March 17).

While the numbers presented are accurate, there is additional information to consider. In the most recent National Vital Statistics report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates there are 99 other leading causes of death in the U.S. that rank above gun violence. You read that correctly, 99.

By some estimates, there are over 400 million firearms in the United States, the vast majority of which are never used to commit a crime or harm anyone. Overall, death by firearm represents 1.3 percent of the total deaths in the United States.

Nearly twice as many people die by poisoning each year and roughly the same number are killed in motor vehicle accidents. While it may be a contributing factor, stating that social inequalities are leading to the increase of violence is an oversimplification of the problem and not entirely accurate.

In fact, according to the FBI, violent crime is down 10.6 percent from the 2008 levels. In 2016, Maryland had 2044 drug overdose deaths, almost three times the number of gun-related deaths. Nationwide, the number is even more staggering - 63,632.

There is the cause she should take up.

MIKE MARCUS

Annapolis

Gun regulation

I am writing in response to the "Long Gun Regulations" letter by Glen C. Somes (The Capital, March 13). I would like to thank Somes for his civil discussion; I hope my response offers the same.

Somes states "criminals will get guns regardless of the laws passed to restrict ownership." First, a background check does not restrict ownership, except to those who should not have guns in the first place (a notion the NRA claims to support).

In addition, if we accept this line of thinking, we should have no laws whatsoever. After all, heroin and child pornography are illegal, and people still manage to get those.

Regarding the undue burden that was referenced - we regularly, throughout our lives, voluntarily inconvenience ourselves in order to promote public safety. I cannot board a plane without going through security, and I cannot give a car to a friend without inspection and registration. Why should long guns be exempted from public safety efforts?

The author mentions we should focus on the "red flag" system. I agree, so much so, that I want background checks on all guns to ensure this system works as designed.

Background checks can lead to red flags which lead to actions that could have saved Andrea Chamblee's husband, and many more lives.

The author argued that regulating non-gun weapons made more sense, suggesting that not enough people have lost their lives to long guns to care.

Mr. Somes, I ask you: How many will be enough?

ALEXANDRIA NOVAK

Riva

Outstanding students

Congratulations to The Capital for its sponsorship of the 2019 Outstanding Student Achievers Awards. Three juniors from each Anne Arundel County High School were recognized for their achievement in scholarship, civic and social activities (The Capital, March 14).

State Sen. Sarah Elfreth gave an interesting and inspiring guest presentation. Host and master of ceremonies Capital Gazette Editor Rick Hutzell kept the ceremony at Anne Arundel Community College alive and moving.

I would additionally like to thank the paper for its coverage of the Annapolis Youth Climate Strike (The Capital, March 16). Our youth are not often given the attention they deserve. The Capital provided many column inches to their efforts for a cause they believe in.

JAMES FONS

Annapolis

Clean energy jobs

If you want miles of our farmland turned from produce to solar panels, giant wind props scarring our countryside and the Chesapeake Bay, hundreds of birds and bats killed and an electric bill that will skyrocket, vote yes for the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act now before the General Assembly.

JOY NORTHAM

Friendship