Where does McCarthy stand?
By The Bakersfield Californian
Last week, President Obama announced dramatic, common-sense proposals to limit gun violence in our country as a result of the last month's tragedy in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six teachers were massacred.
He is proposing a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, plus expanding background checks on gun buyers. Additionally, he is taking 23 executive actions to, among other things, increase training in areas of school safety and mental health assistance and conduct research into gun violence.
Obama is taking his fight to the American people. In his news conference, he pointedly asked the public to ask their representatives if they support "a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. And if they say no, ask them why not." He noted that there will be "pundits, politicians ... warning of a tyrannical, all-out assault on liberty -- not because it's true, but because it gins up fear."
So, I publicly ask my representative, Kevin McCarthy, if he will support these "common sense" reform efforts, and if not, why? Today, 88 percent of the population supports these reforms. President Ronald Reagan strongly supported the ban on military-style assault weapons -- so, will you, Rep. McCarthy, support the will of the people so that the citizens of your congressional district, and especially our children, can hope for a less violent future?
Raymond Gonzales
Bakersfield
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