Anti-Gunners Already Exploit Mall Tragedy

“What has been reported, however, is that the suspect apparently had three firearms and that he used a .22-caliber Ruger rifle,” he continued. “These firearms were all legally purchased, but the suspect apparently stole all three from his father. “Already,” Gottlieb observed, “the gun prohibition lobby is trying to exploit this tragedy via an e-mail message in which it vowed to end what it alleges is ‘an epidemic of gun violence tearing our communities apart.’ “Before the anti-gun rights lobbying organizations beg for one more penny to support their demonstrably-failed agenda,” he said, “they should explain just how they think one more gun control law might have prevented Friday’s mayhem. Two years ago, they pushed a poorly worded and ridiculously complicated background check measure into law. But it appears the suspect stole the gun he used, so how well did that work? Published reports say the suspect has a record that includes domestic violence charges and that a judge ordered him in December not to possess firearms. “Exploiting this tragic event to press for more ineffective laws that simply erode the rights of honest citizens is dishonest,” Gottlieb said. “If these reports are accurate, this is proof that background checks don’t stop determined, violent individuals from committing crimes that affect us all.”