Pink Pistols Denounce Street's Insult to Law-Abiding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, PA (PP National) March 22, 2005. "Mayor Street, in an effort to 'rein in the chaos', has unjustly insulted and accused thousands of law-abiding citizens -- holders of the Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms," says Gwen Patton, International Media Spokesperson for the Pink Pistols. "He has, for all intents and purposes, blamed the only persons who have proven themselves worthy of firearm ownership for heinous crimes they did not commit."
"There are approximately 28,000 active Carry Permits in the City of Philadelphia -- compare that to the five boroughs of New York City where there are 16,000 permits. We were compelled to issue more gun permits in Philadelphia in one year --2003 -- than there are permits in the entire state of New Jersey." said Mayor John Street, in a letter to Governor Ed Rendell.
Mayor Street has not and cannot show that a single concealed-carry licensee was involved in any of the recent city shootings. Past experience would suggest that those responsible were, in fact, criminals, and not licence holders, who must have no criminal history. In fact, the prime suspect in the shooting of a 9-year-old boy in a van was an 18-year old with a criminal record, a person ineligible for such a permit.
"Teenaged thugs are already forbidden to own guns because they aren't old enough. But they get and carry them in defiance of the law.Criminals with records are forbidden to own guns because they have broken the law in the past and are not trustworthy. But they get and carry them in defiance of the law." says Patton. "Adding another law to ignore would not stop the criminals, and would only punish the innocent."
The Pink Pistols can see NO reason to blame holders of the Pennsylvania License To Carry Firearms for the actions of such persons. It is akin to blaming those who take prescription medications for the actions of drug traffickers, and
putting a moratorium on doctors in Philadelphia writing prescriptions because drug dealers are selling bootleg pills.
Patton continues, "Mayor Street has said that, if he had his way, he would ban guns in Philadelphia. I suggest that the Mayor look at the gun prohibition experiences of Chicago, Washington D.C., The United Kingdom and Australia. In each of these places, where citizens are disarmed, violent crime is everywhere."
The Pink Pistols denounce any attempt by the city of Philadelphia to adulterate PA gun law by seeking special treatment. Since the city has the highest concentration of crime, city dwellers have a great need for defensive tools. And GLBT persons in the city who wish this option should not be denied protection, especially with rising hate crime rates.
The Pink Pistols is the largest national organization for the self-defense of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons with legally-owned firearms, and has chapters in both the United States and Canada.
CONTACT INFORMATION
International Media Spokesperson
Gwendolyn S. Patton
Pink Pistols National
267-386-8907
http://www.pinkpistols.org
Philadelphia, PA (PP National) March 22, 2005. "Mayor Street, in an effort to 'rein in the chaos', has unjustly insulted and accused thousands of law-abiding citizens -- holders of the Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms," says Gwen Patton, International Media Spokesperson for the Pink Pistols. "He has, for all intents and purposes, blamed the only persons who have proven themselves worthy of firearm ownership for heinous crimes they did not commit."
"There are approximately 28,000 active Carry Permits in the City of Philadelphia -- compare that to the five boroughs of New York City where there are 16,000 permits. We were compelled to issue more gun permits in Philadelphia in one year --2003 -- than there are permits in the entire state of New Jersey." said Mayor John Street, in a letter to Governor Ed Rendell.
Mayor Street has not and cannot show that a single concealed-carry licensee was involved in any of the recent city shootings. Past experience would suggest that those responsible were, in fact, criminals, and not licence holders, who must have no criminal history. In fact, the prime suspect in the shooting of a 9-year-old boy in a van was an 18-year old with a criminal record, a person ineligible for such a permit.
"Teenaged thugs are already forbidden to own guns because they aren't old enough. But they get and carry them in defiance of the law.Criminals with records are forbidden to own guns because they have broken the law in the past and are not trustworthy. But they get and carry them in defiance of the law." says Patton. "Adding another law to ignore would not stop the criminals, and would only punish the innocent."
The Pink Pistols can see NO reason to blame holders of the Pennsylvania License To Carry Firearms for the actions of such persons. It is akin to blaming those who take prescription medications for the actions of drug traffickers, and
putting a moratorium on doctors in Philadelphia writing prescriptions because drug dealers are selling bootleg pills.
Patton continues, "Mayor Street has said that, if he had his way, he would ban guns in Philadelphia. I suggest that the Mayor look at the gun prohibition experiences of Chicago, Washington D.C., The United Kingdom and Australia. In each of these places, where citizens are disarmed, violent crime is everywhere."
The Pink Pistols denounce any attempt by the city of Philadelphia to adulterate PA gun law by seeking special treatment. Since the city has the highest concentration of crime, city dwellers have a great need for defensive tools. And GLBT persons in the city who wish this option should not be denied protection, especially with rising hate crime rates.
The Pink Pistols is the largest national organization for the self-defense of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons with legally-owned firearms, and has chapters in both the United States and Canada.
CONTACT INFORMATION
International Media Spokesperson
Gwendolyn S. Patton
Pink Pistols National
267-386-8907
http://www.pinkpistols.org
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