Dear Future President,

I am writing to you because I believe there are too many victims of gun violence. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention, “every year, 2,829 kids die from gun violence while more than 11,000 are injured in an attack every year.

I would like to ask you to help place greater restrictions on purchasing specific types of guns: rifles and shotguns. Gun laws in Illinois require a waiting period to take possession after purchasing a gun: 72 hours for a handgun but only 24 hours for a rifle or shotgun. I would ask you to pass a law requiring a longer waiting period to take possession of a rifle or shotgun. I think the waiting period should be at least 72 hours just like for a handgun.

I know the right to have a gun is a basic right from the Second Amendment of our Constitution. I believe that people should have the right to have a gun for hunting or self defense. I do not believe banning guns would mean people would not have them. Gun advocates believe there is no law that can keep guns out of the hands of criminals. I believe greater wait time may lead to fewer rifles and shotguns weapons being sold which would result in fewer deaths. I think the more people that have rifles, the more likely it is that the guns will be used in violent crimes.

The US has far more gun ownership than other developed countries, and far more gun violence. Some greater restrictions on purchase would result in fewer gun purchases and fewer deaths each year.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Walling