This topic is likely better suited for an in-person conversation than an online post, but I’ll do my best. Gun rights is an issue where I believe I live up to the description of a ‘moderate democrat.’ Back in 2020, I applied for and was granted a license to carry firearms, but I have not purchased or otherwise taken possession of a gun since then. While I quite enjoyed the one time my friends and I visited the firing range, I have not felt the need to purchase, store, or carry a firearm in my day to day routine. To this day and for my particular situation with 3 kids in my household, the cons of gun ownership outweigh the pros. Therefore, I have not felt the need or even desire to purchase a firearm of my own, but I understand that different circumstances apply to different people.

Of course, I believe that bad people with bad intentions should be filtered out and prevented from accessing firearms. This requires regulations and some level of government oversight. However, good law abiding citizens, with good intentions like hunting, defense, and even recreational practice/amusement at gun ranges, should be allowed to enjoy these gun-related experiences without undue government interference. I think gun rights should be treated akin to driving rights/privileges, affording the rights and responsibilities of the gun to the individual who has proven mastery of safe gun handling and storage. Just like we wouldn’t allow anyone without a forklift license to operate a forklift or an 18 wheeler without the proper license, I do not feel comfortable with anyone being able to get a gun without having proven that they can meet the safety standards and operating procedures of gun ownership. Whether you’re pro-gun or anti-gun, we can all agree that no one wants more accidental injuries, deaths or school shootings. 

I absolutely believe that we need more gun regulations in other states, closing loopholes that allow anyone to get a gun whenever and just drive it into Massachusetts. However, as Massachusetts has the lowest rate of firearms fatalities in the contiguous United States, perhaps our legislators could now redirect some of their focus on improving the quality of life for its residents, by tackling issues like education and housing affordability that affect every family. I genuinely believe that a highly educated population, should we make it affordable, would generally choose not to pursue gun ownership of their own volition. Banning things some people want, like guns, alcohol, marijuana, doesn’t work. Banning such things punishes the majority of people who use them responsibly for the actions of the very few who abuse the privileges of adulthood. As the phrase goes ‘guns don’t kill people, people kill people.’ So let’s address this by improving the quality of life so high that people don’t want to kill people. Let’s start by addressing mental health, never ending student debt, and the housing crisis. Let’s make living a life so fulfilling that needing or wanting a firearm becomes obsolete. 

Given that this represents a significant shift from David Linsky’s stance on gun rights and regulations, I encourage you to thoroughly investigate Mr. Linsky’s position. Consider which perspective aligns most closely with your own, and cast your vote accordingly.