Prosecute attacks

Dear Editor,

The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association (PSCOA) is calling for Forest County District Attorney Alyce Busch to prosecute all felony assaults committed by inmates in SCI-Forest. Recently, Busch dropped several felony charges against an inmate who attacked two corrections officers last August. One officer had to go to Kane Hospital and received five stitches for a lacerated lip. He also suffered a forehead contusion.

Despite a violent attack against two officers who are law-abiding members of the community, the inmate pleaded guilty to one second-degree misdemeanor assault charge and two summary offenses.

This is nothing less than a deal of a lifetime.

Corrections employees accept that their work is dangerous, but they remain committed to serving their communities and keeping the peace. Their loved ones deal with an incredible amount of stress, as well.

By dropping felony charges, Busch is sending a clear message to inmates that corrections employees are fair game. This cannot happen again.

John Eckenrode,

president

PA State Corrections Officers Association

One more Second …

Dear Editor,

Repetitious gun related death to innocent people should never be a new “normal.” The National Rifle Association recently concluded their annual convocation. It was interesting in many aspects, however they failed to address the true meaning of gun violence.

A simple solution to gun violence is contained in Amendment II to the Constitution of the United States of America. The amendment was written without any ambiguity and is very explicit. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The meaning of Amendment II is straight forward. What is a well Regulated Militia? Regulated by definition means “To control or direct by rule.”

I defy the United States Supreme Court to oppose that explicit statement.

How many gun owners in our country belong to a “well regulated Militia?”

Where are they subjected to “control or a direct rule?” To the best of my knowledge, the answer is none! There are no controls or direction by rules?

A hunting license is the only exception that comes close to that definition.

Our federal military constitutes a well regulated militia, as well as state National Guard units. The emphasis is a well regulated Militia. Likewise, law enforcement personnel fit this category. Private gun owners do not constitute a well regulated Militia.

How are they controlled or directed by that significant definition? I’d welcome their argument to the contrary.

The federal government and each sovereign state has the ability — most likely not the will — to correct this sitution. Enact legislation to establish a well Regulated Militia. All gun owners would be required to join the Militia and be subject to sensible rules and regulations such as background information, training, weapon control and permits etc.

We have great gun clubs which promote and adhere to safety, training and a host of other issues to serve their members. With some amendments they could be an initial solution. All firearms would be registered, and no gun owner could sell their firearm to a person without a backgroud check. Equally, no retail business or gun expo would be able to sell a firearm to any person without Militia certification.

Similar obligations apply when we operate, purchase or sell a motor vehicle. We need a title to the vehicle and eventually a driver’s license, inspections, insurance and registration with the state.

No harm is incurred. Neither would belonging to a state militia incur a hardship. Perhaps gun-related crime and carnage would be reduced, if not virtually eliminated, in the future.

Finally, most politicians want to save their elected job, in lieu of responsible gun legislation, rather than the lives of innocent men,women and children to indiscriminate gun violence.

Without exception most elected politicians have the same hypocritical and mendacity wish following mass shootings, “Pray for the victims and thanks for police response.”

I have yet to hear a majority of them request gun regulations. Now, not later, is the time for citizens to demand reasonable gun related legislaton.

God forbid, yet, if a number of politicians lost their family members to deadly shootings their attitude would change … hopefully, but don’t bet on it. Their selfish attitude would likely prevail.

M.J. Shanshala,

Warren

Closing moment

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank all the county commissioner candidates who attended the League of Women Voters Forum. I wish they had been asked what would their plan be if they learned Warren County was going to lose a large employer, like the Irvine Distribution Center. That happened under the current county Board of Commissioners.

Gregory Burkett,

Warren