Protest Easy Guns

Philadelphia#s-32

Our planned lie-in protest is scheduled for Saturday, 11/17/07 at 12:00 noon outside Colosimo's Guns, 933 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, Pa. , 19123-2611. We are protesting the easy access to guns from this shop in light of their being named #5 of the "Ten worst Bad Apple Gun Dealers in America" with 425 guns traced to crime, based on BATFE crime gun trace datafrom 1989 to 1996 (the latest BATFE data available to the
publicas of April, 2006, according to Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence's publication titled "Without A Trace".

The City of Philadelphia is currently mired in one of the most horrific periods of gun violence in its history, with particular attention to the last few weeks, where in a period of five days, four Philadelphia Police Officers were shot in the line of duty, with the result of one Officer being slain, and three Officers sustaining serious physical injury. As a former Philadelphia Police Officer, 35 year resident, and the parent of a victim of random gun violence, who also was shot, and nearly killed in the City of Philadelphia, I am outraged at the ease with which guns are obtained wtihin its boundaries.

Colosimo's Guns needs to strictly adhere to the regulations imposed by law on all gun dealers, or be closed down. We cannot afford to lose any more of our protectors to the easy access of illegal guns, and should not be required to tolerate their avalability. If we cannot protect our Police Officers, we are doomed as a society. The Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives must allow the City of Philadelphia to enact its own gun legislation within the city limits. It it totally illogical that any city is barred by law from enacting any sensible laws regarding firearms, let alone the City of Philadelphia and the rash of gun crime it is enduring presently. The rest of the state doesn't have to tolerate the wave of gun violence Philadelphia is gripped in, and should not be permitted to have any say in its gun laws. I applaud, and completely support the brave members of Philadelphia City Council, who have been actively working for years to this end, and also Governor Edward Rendell for his vision and support. Collectively, these public servants have been unfailing in their support of sensible gun legislation, like one handgun a month, and Brady background checks for all sales at gun shows, commomly called the gun show loophole.

Until, and unless something is done in this regard, we will continue to be compelled to stage protests like the one we have planned for November 17th. Gun dealers like Colosimo's Guns need to ensure that
all regulations are followed to the letter, while conducting their business, or have their licenses revoked.