I spent March 16 outside the Saratoga City Center protesting this year's second arms fair not because I am opposed to lawful gun ownership for hunting or self-defense (I am not) but because I don't believe that government should be profiting from, or hosting, an event that celebrates and promotes the sale of guns.
At a moment when gun violence in this country causes 30 homicides, 53 suicides, 152 injuries each day, and, three months ago, the slaughter of 20 children in their school, it makes no sense for the government to be in the gun business.
I protested the arms fair to make my position clear to our elected leaders: I am among the majority that supports sensible regulation of guns. Protesting is important because some discount our numbers.
I protested the Saratoga arms fair because after Newtown, I promised myself that I would take up this cause not just until the grief that gripped me subsided, but until real change was won. The NY SAFE Act marks real change. But there is much more to be done.
L. Dede Hill
Saratoga Springs