Editor,

Langley Police Chief Dave Marks, as quoted in a recent South Whidbey Record article, has it right: “It’s been my observation that criminals are obtaining firearms through burglary.”

Regardless of what “loopholes” are closed by the Initiative 594, nefarious types will get their hands on weapons. Indeed, Chicago, a gun-free city has one of the highest mortality rates in the country due to gunshot wounds.

Why would our state want to move toward that sort of environment?

Make no mistake. Those who are sponsoring gun control are not helping make you and your neighborhood “safer.” It is quite the opposite. If you want to understand what is at stake, I recommend The Record readership view the video, “Innocents Betrayed — The History of Gun Control” freely available on the popular web video servers. The history of the gun control movement over the last 100 years or so is recounted in the first 45 minutes. The last 12 minutes interviews the producers who lay out what is at stake in no uncertain terms.

You need to ask yourself, “Would you prefer living in a war zone-like ‘gun free’ Chicago’s south side instead of a fairly peaceful community like you do now?” I know my answer to this question.

RICHARD JOHNSON

Langley