Letters: One gun-control law for all

ISSUE | GUN CONTROL

Why does the Inquirer editorial board ("Bad bill will kill children," Oct. 13) oppose the newest bill to stop local governments in Pennsylvania from enacting more local gun control? Such local laws are already illegal in Pennsylvania. Groups that encourage the passage of local ordinances - and the local governments that enact them - know this. That's why, once passed, these ordinances are never enforced. Enforcing even a single one would give standing to challenge their illegality.

Law-abiding gun owners have long argued for uniform laws across Pennsylvania. Why? It's simple.

Imagine if you received a prescription for painkillers issued by a Pennsylvania physician in Montgomery County. But Chester County, eager for local control of pain medication, makes it a crime to bring a strong painkiller into the county from another county. Without the consent of the rest of Pennsylvania, does Chester County have a right to make you a criminal, or should you be able to move around Pennsylvania without fear that you crossed a border and faced criminal charges?

That's what local gun control means for law-abiding gun owners.

The General Assembly has repeatedly told local governments to cut it out. Yet, they persist. There must be consequences for their lawless behavior.

|Jonathan S. Goldstein, Hatfield, jgoldstein@mcnellygoldstein.com