Columnist failed to support gun opinions with facts

To the editor,

Howard Delo’s column sharing his viewpoints on gun control (“Columnist shares his views on gun control,” Jan. 8) revealed his “interest” and “labor” regarding President Obama’s recent moves with his Executive Order concerning “gun control.” That order should come as no surprise to him or anyone else since there is plenty of talk but no action from the stalemate in congress with many needs affecting the American people.

I remember one of Howard’s columns before the first election of Mr. Obama that represented the mass hysterical doom of gun restrictions if he were elected. The fable “Chicken Little” comes to mind when thinking that nothing has really been accomplished by Congress or Obama since that time. That reactionist behavior continues to fuel the gun/ammo industry, special interest political strangleholds and resulting failed politics. This polarizes the people we send to Washington to get things done as well with the result of hindering the safety and health of our citizenry. Howard is typical of this faction in that he offers little as to what could help the situation. He says “maybe a little enforcement is in order.” Of what, how and when? He offers that he could support access and treatment of mental illness. Does that mean that he would support lifting his NRA’s-led attack on the Center for Disease control for funding federal research related to gun “problems?”

This party of people doesn’t like the term “gun violence.” Howard mentions Timothy McVeigh and Boston to remind us that those who set out to do us ill will find a method. Those unfortunate events and many like them have put into play many legal changes to help thwart similar tragedies including laws controlling access of dangerous materials and enhanced security. Howard writes to us regularly to encourage public involvement in the affairs of fish and game regulation. He must know that in order to get results with difficult situations there must be dialogue and willingness to “reach across the aisle” of which his article did little.

He shamefully ends his column with a quote from the Media Research Center (devoted to ending left-wing bias in the news) that insinuates Mr. Obama’s tears were contrived and wiped with his middle finger to make an appropriate point. I hope that Mr. Deleo reads the rest of the Frontiersman and finds something to help his interest/labor on this subject, including the editorial on gun ownership and the Valley Voices article by Charles Hayes, “Gun Safety: Common Sense, not politics.” I appreciate the information on gun shows. They are one of my favorite activities as I am an enthusiastic gun owner. It won’t be a problem for me if I or everyone else ever has to submit to a background check!

Larry Ouellette

Wasilla