Smart Guns, Evil Geniuses and Speaking Up-
At some point in the year 2000 I wrote a letter about smart gun
technology to our representatives because it was being discussed in the news. I did
receive responses. Following (my introduction) is the response I
received from Frank Blee and Ken LeFevre dated June 15, 2000. I wrote other letters about gun safety to my
representatives. I stopped writing after I realized that long before I became
interested, NJ was ahead of the curve on gun safety laws. People just found ways around them. Make one law and someone will break it. Knives can do damage too.
Smart technology.
The people who break the laws and codes are usually very
smart. In fact, they could be called
evil geniuses. They seem to be able to
circumvent the best defenses... well except maybe for the ones who failed because
someone spoke up.
An excerpt from the article:
A Pennsylvania teenager may have saved the lives of some of fellow
students at a Uniontown high school after reporting a threat of a possible
shooting.
A 14-year-old boy, of Henry Clay Township, Pa., was arrested and found
to have a collection of weapons and a plan to target four students at Uniontown
Area High School, according to CBS affiliate KDKA. One Uniontown student said
they heard the 14-year-old make a threat to carry out a school shooting.
“He indicated it would be extremely easy to sneak a gun into the school
in his backpack. He also indicated that he could use a sniper rifle from a
distance or a shotgun for mass casualties,” Fayette County District Attorney
Richard Bower told KDKA. “He didn’t like them, he just didn’t like them.”
Now for the letter from my representatives. With so many rants, chants and memes about
our representatives not doing their jobs, I have to disagree- of course with
respect. If you post about the lack of
concern from our representatives, then you have never contacted one. In some instances, I even received letters which were personally signed with the first name only. When you write often on the same topic of safety, the elected representatives do get to know your name. I met some in person. I never felt that they ever tried to belittle my efforts except for the civics teacher in my former district, but he had something to hide about the school. When people run for public office, hold them accountable by telling your story as it relates to your needs and the needs of others. Even when I write to the ones with whom I disagree on the topic of abortion, I received responses.
“Thank you for your recent correspondence in support of “smart
gun” technology. As your Assemblymen,
and as parents, we appreciate and share your concern for the protection and
well-being of our children.
You may be pleased to know that in the General Assembly we
recently voted for an important piece of legislation that we believe will lead
to increased gun safety. The bill,
A-2531, would appropriate $500,000 to the New Jersey Institute of Technology
for the continuation of their “Smart Gun Technology Development Program”. This legislation is sponsored by Assemblyman
LeFevre and fully supported by Assemblyman Blee. The measure, which enjoyed broad bipartisan
support was approved by the General Assembly on June 5, 2000 by a vote of 77-0.
Our support for the development of “smart gun” technology is
a continuation of our commitment to this issue from the 1998-99 legislative session. In that session, we supported a four-bill
package that we are proud to say is now law:
A 2420 -now Public
Law 1999, chapter 253
“The Firearm Accident Prevention Act”- which exempts the sale of firearm trigger locks from sales and use tax.
A2421- now Public law
1999, chapter 254
“The secure Firearm Storage Act”: which exempts the sale of
firearm vaults from the sales and use tax.
A 2469- now Public
Law 1999, chapter 255
Establishes a $5 instant rebate program for purchased of trigger
gun locks.
A2826- now Public Law
1999, chapter 233
Prohibits licensed dealers from transferring handgun
purchasers unless accompanied by a trigger lock, lock case, gun box, container
or other secure facility.
Again, thank you for your correspondence. Please feel free
to contact our office with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
(The letter was signed by both Francis Blee and Kenneth C.
LeFevre)
You can search the state statute website and find the law
listed: for example:
54:32B-8.50. Short
title; receipts from sales of firearm trigger locks, tax exempt
1. a.
This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Firearm Accident
Prevention Act" .
b. Receipts from sales of firearm trigger locks
and other devices that enable the firearm to be made inoperable by anyone other
than an authorized person are exempt from the tax imposed under the "Sales
and Use Tax Act" , P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.).
L.1999,c.253.
NJ readers may be interested in this statute also:
2C:58-2.2
Findings, declarations relative to sale of handguns.
Findings, declarations relative to sale of handguns.
The more you read on the topic, the more one will realize there is a pattern to prevention because there is a pattern to the violence. No new law will prevent the next planner of violence, but a person can.
Be smart. Learn the warning signs and the "triggers". Think outside the box. Unlock the gift of intuition you have been given as a gift.
Marian R. Carlino
June 7, 2018
