Evans Mills— On December 14th, after killing his mother Nancy Lanza, Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 children and 5 adults . It has been reported that Nancy Lanza and son Adam, would often go the gun range where they would practice shooting her guns.
Since the fatal tragedy, reforming gun laws have been heavily discussed and scrutinized. One local gun dealer, Mary S. VanTassel said that gun laws should be reformed. However, Mrs. VanTassel opposes punishing all law-abiding citizens by having a no-gun law. “We are from Europe where there are no guns allowed. I do not think that going to such extremes here in the United States will prevent people from committing violent acts”, said VanTassel.
While some large chain stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods, have taken strict action, suspending the selling of rifles in all of their stores. According to Mrs. VanTassel, since the elections, their sales have gone through the roof, as she speculates it is out of fear that gun owners will have their guns taken away from them. Mrs. VanTassel believes that not everyone should be allowed to own a gun.
Currently, having a mental disorder or being committed to a mental institution can disqualify individuals from owning a gun. “There is a lot of problems with mental illness in this country and too many privacy laws”, said VanTassel going on to suggest that any family member with a mental illness in the home should disqualify someone from being able to own a gun.
“If you are not mentally ill, but you have someone in the home that is, then you should not be allowed to own a gun”, says Mrs. VanTassel. She also pointed out the law in Canada, where gun owners are required to keep their gun locked in a safe, another requirement she feels the United States should adopt.
