MMM Letter in San Antonio Express-News Today

WAGCEVP · June 4, 2001, 08:37 PM

received this from a friend in Texas.... The MMM letter is first followed by
his response....
==========

The following letter appeared in the San Antonio Express-News today.
In his May 18 letter, "Million Mom misdeed," Patrick Hatton says "nine times
more children drowned last year than died from guns."
According to federal statistics from 1997 (the most recent year available)
three times more children died from guns than from drowning. Hatton's
conclusion is not just "fuzzy math," it does not reflect reality.
The death of any child is a tragedy, and if Mr. Hatton would like to lead a
movement to reduce drowning deaths, I would support him 100 percent.
The goals of the Million Mom March are sensible gun laws, not confiscating
the guns of law-abiding citizens. Closing the gun-show loophole means
enacting the same guidelines followed by stores to keep guns out of the
hands
of criminals, crazy people and children.

What we want is to avoid another Columbine, protect our children and save
lives.

Linda Gleason,
Million Mom March,
South Texas Chapter

Letters-Express News
PO Box 2171
San Antonio, Texas 78297
Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to the 4 June 2001 letter from Linda Gleason. It is
alleged that the writer wishes to prevent deaths from firearm violence, not
ban guns. I have my doubts in this regard since Ms Gleason represents an
organization that misrepresents the truth constantly.
Ms Gleason is adamant that "children" be defined is such a way that drug
dealers, gang members and would-be killers shot by police be "protected" by
closing the nonexistent "gun show loophole". In that way she maintains that
we will prevent "another Columbine, protect our children and save lives",
even though no law the MMM has suggested would have had the slightest impact
on what happened at Columbine. It is a sad fact that this same age-group
(age
17 through 19) are "young men and women when they enlist in the Army, be
issued an M-16 rifle, ammunition and grenades and go to combat, yet if they
should they decide to murder and rape here at home they are children, and
should be "protected", according to the "common sense" crowd!

Regarding Ms Gleason’s stated goals: Rosie O’Donnell, the spokesperson for
that "common sense" organization makes different claims regarding the
outfits
ultimate definition of "common sense"-"Sorry. It is 1999, we have had enough
as a nation. You are not allowed to own a gun and if you do own a gun, I
think you should go to prison." (April 21, 1999) Ms O’Donnell, of course,
has
bodyguards for her family.

This is the MMM version of "common sense", and it is about what you’d expect
from a group that has shown none! The plain fact is that these
"common-sense-that-makes-no-sense" laws will cost lives by making it harder
and harder for honest men and women to protect themselves and do nothing at
all to the criminal.

Sincerely,
Dave McKimmey
, Texas

Charmedlyfe · June 4, 2001, 10:11 PM

He might also point out that the numbers regarding deaths ARE correct, for equivilent age groups. The MMM statistics for gun deaths go up to 21 YOA, 24 in some cases.
I'm not sure about the drowning, I think it has to do with under 16 or 18. Anybody?

Monkeyleg · June 5, 2001, 05:20 PM

For _accidental_ deaths, the National Safety Council provides the following:

Ages 0 through 4: 30 deaths by guns, 800 by car accidents, 140 by suffocation, 310 by fires or burns, 500 by drowning.

Ages 5 through 14: 80 deaths by guns, 1800 by car accidents, 60 by suffocation, 260 by fires or burns, 350 by drowning.

Ages 15 through 24: 300 deaths by guns, 9300 by car accidents, 60 by suffocation, 230 by fires or burns, 650 by drowning.

This data is from the NSC's Injury Facts, and covers the year 1998. (I ain't paying $$$$ to buy the 1999 edition; I can wait).

Dick

dischord · June 5, 2001, 11:23 PM

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/

^
very useful in such situations, FYI. You can break down data everywhich way once you learn how to run the engine.

WAGCEVP · June 6, 2001, 06:15 PM

got a note from Dave . said the newspaper called him at work and that they will publish his letter within the next week or so...

Kentucky Rifle · June 7, 2001, 11:39 AM

Please keep me informed on the status of the publication. I wonder if it will be published in it's entirety? Or maybe if silly and untrue replies will be offered and printed also?
Please, if you would, either post or send me an e-mail.

Kentucky Rifle

WAGCEVP · June 7, 2001, 05:37 PM

when I hear from him, I'll post it....
Don't hold your breath for it to be published in it's entirety

June 6, 2001, 06:15 PM	#5
WAGCEVP Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,995	he's going to be punblished got a note from Dave . said the newspaper called him at work and that they will publish his letter within the next week or so...

June 7, 2001, 11:39 AM	#6
Kentucky Rifle Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 1999 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 2,689	WAGCEVP Please keep me informed on the status of the publication. I wonder if it will be published in it's entirety? Or maybe if silly and untrue replies will be offered and printed also? Please, if you would, either post or send me an e-mail. Kentucky Rifle

June 7, 2001, 05:37 PM	#7
WAGCEVP Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,995	You got it, KR.... when I hear from him, I'll post it.... Don't hold your breath for it to be published in it's entirety

June 4, 2001, 08:37 PM	#1
WAGCEVP Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,995	received this from a friend in Texas.... The MMM letter is first followed by his response.... ========== The following letter appeared in the San Antonio Express-News today. In his May 18 letter, "Million Mom misdeed," Patrick Hatton says "nine times more children drowned last year than died from guns." According to federal statistics from 1997 (the most recent year available) three times more children died from guns than from drowning. Hatton's conclusion is not just "fuzzy math," it does not reflect reality. The death of any child is a tragedy, and if Mr. Hatton would like to lead a movement to reduce drowning deaths, I would support him 100 percent. The goals of the Million Mom March are sensible gun laws, not confiscating the guns of law-abiding citizens. Closing the gun-show loophole means enacting the same guidelines followed by stores to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, crazy people and children. What we want is to avoid another Columbine, protect our children and save lives. Linda Gleason, Million Mom March, South Texas Chapter Letters-Express News PO Box 2171 San Antonio, Texas 78297 Dear Editor: I am writing in response to the 4 June 2001 letter from Linda Gleason. It is alleged that the writer wishes to prevent deaths from firearm violence, not ban guns. I have my doubts in this regard since Ms Gleason represents an organization that misrepresents the truth constantly. Ms Gleason is adamant that "children" be defined is such a way that drug dealers, gang members and would-be killers shot by police be "protected" by closing the nonexistent "gun show loophole". In that way she maintains that we will prevent "another Columbine, protect our children and save lives", even though no law the MMM has suggested would have had the slightest impact on what happened at Columbine. It is a sad fact that this same age-group (age 17 through 19) are "young men and women when they enlist in the Army, be issued an M-16 rifle, ammunition and grenades and go to combat, yet if they should they decide to murder and rape here at home they are children, and should be "protected", according to the "common sense" crowd! Regarding Ms Gleason’s stated goals: Rosie O’Donnell, the spokesperson for that "common sense" organization makes different claims regarding the outfits ultimate definition of "common sense"-"Sorry. It is 1999, we have had enough as a nation. You are not allowed to own a gun and if you do own a gun, I think you should go to prison." (April 21, 1999) Ms O’Donnell, of course, has bodyguards for her family. This is the MMM version of "common sense", and it is about what you’d expect from a group that has shown none! The plain fact is that these "common-sense-that-makes-no-sense" laws will cost lives by making it harder and harder for honest men and women to protect themselves and do nothing at all to the criminal. Sincerely, Dave McKimmey , Texas

June 4, 2001, 10:11 PM	#2
Charmedlyfe Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2000 Location: SC Posts: 799	He might also point out that the numbers regarding deaths ARE correct, for equivilent age groups. The MMM statistics for gun deaths go up to 21 YOA, 24 in some cases. I'm not sure about the drowning, I think it has to do with under 16 or 18. Anybody?

June 5, 2001, 05:20 PM	#3
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,621	For _accidental_ deaths, the National Safety Council provides the following: Ages 0 through 4: 30 deaths by guns, 800 by car accidents, 140 by suffocation, 310 by fires or burns, 500 by drowning. Ages 5 through 14: 80 deaths by guns, 1800 by car accidents, 60 by suffocation, 260 by fires or burns, 350 by drowning. Ages 15 through 24: 300 deaths by guns, 9300 by car accidents, 60 by suffocation, 230 by fires or burns, 650 by drowning. This data is from the NSC's Injury Facts, and covers the year 1998. (I ain't paying $$$$ to buy the 1999 edition; I can wait). Dick

June 5, 2001, 11:23 PM	#4
dischord Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 945	http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/ ^ very useful in such situations, FYI. You can break down data everywhich way once you learn how to run the engine.