By: Joseph L. Kuchie
SOUTH AMBOY – Mayor Fred Henry took a stand against gun violence at last week’s South Amboy city council meeting in the wake of the recent tragedy in Orlando.
Mayor Fred Henry
Forty-nine people were killed and another 50 were wounded on June 12th when Omar Mateen, 29, opened fire in a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando. Mateen used a Sig Saucer MCX semi-automatic assault rifle that he purchased at a gun store in Florida.
“A six ounce bottle of water…a snow globe…a four ounce tube of facial cream… these are very simple items that are banned on planes yet you can buy a military assault rifle such as the one used last week to kill 49 innocent people in Orlando,” Mayor Henry said.
“Why can’t congress pass a ban on such weapons whose only purpose is to kill people and to kill them at a shocking rate?” he asked. “Why can’t congress pass laws for reasonable background checks? How many massacres must happen before meaningful laws are enacted?
“Nobody is trying to abolish the 2nd amendment, we have the right to own guns, but only the military and the police need assault weapons, not ordinary citizens and worse yet, terrorists,” he continued. “This is a weapon whose design is to kill on a mass scale.”
“Our hearts go out to the families in Orlando and the other places where tragedies have taken place,” he concluded. “We may never totally end these killings, but we don’t have to make it so easy to get these type of weapons. Congress, it’s way past time to act. Do your job and protect the people.”
Resident Barbara Pasternack praised Mayor Henry for his speech and wondered if it could be turned into a petition.
“We need to get in touch with our congressman and let them know how we feel,” Mayor Henry said.
Donald Applegate was not in attendance. The next city council meeting will be held on July 13th at 7:00 p.m.
