Hearty congratulations to my assemblyman, Phil Steck, and state senator, Neil Breslin, for their enlightened and courageous votes to end the sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in our state.
There is absolutely no reason for members of our community to have access to such rapid-fire, people-killing machines. These weapons should only be available to the military and law enforcement for the protection of all citizens from those who would inflict injury on us and our nation.
As the proud father of a daughter who teaches fourth grade and the equally proud grandfather of five young grandchildren, one of whom is a first-grader, I am particularly sensitive to the terrible tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. All must be done by our public officials to make certain that another such tragedy never happens.
Our elected representatives have the power to remove these people-killing machines from our society and protect the teachers and students in our community.
I can only hope my congressman, Paul Tonko, and U.S. senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, will demonstrate the same enlightenment and courage when facing the problem of gun violence nationally.
DICK BARRETT
Loudonville