Mother says gun control won't help
As the mother of a murdered son, you may think that I advocate gun control. I do not. If there was a gun control law that would protect us from criminals and terrorists I would be first to shout, “Let’s do it.”
Have you thought of what would happen if all guns were taken from law abiding citizens? There are plenty of criminals who want what they want and they don’t care how they obtain it.
My son, Pvt. Kirk Bonney, was 20 when he was savagely murdered at Fort Benning, Ga., on June 20, 1978. He was ready to graduate from Airborne School. Kirk grew up on Kodiak Island in Alaska where he loved to fish and hunt. He was a friendly and loyal kid not afraid to strike up a conversation.
It took over 33 years for me to learn on March 7, 2011 that the CID now had credible information to believe that two accused suspects were responsible for the murder of my son. Both suspects were charged with committing robberies of soldiers on Fort Benning at the time of my son’s death. The circumstances of his death fit the method of operation of those crimes.
One suspect died in prison for another crime. Further testimonial evidence taken from persons closely associated with the suspects indicated the living suspect had made admissions to this crime, along with other facts supporting this finding. Mr. Mel Hyde, Assistant US Attorney, Columbus, Ga., opined probable cause existed to believe that the suspects committed the crime of conspiracy to murder, however lacking tangible evidence was unwilling to prosecute the suspect. I thank U.S. Sen. James Risch for his aid in seeking more information, as well as Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska.
According to an article written by Ryan Dicky published in 2013, he points out that gun control won’t stop the violence — but guns might.
“One might think that people will sell a gun without a background check. Truthfully, guns do get sold illegally. You must realize that this illegal actions will happen, and criminals don’t follow the laws by definition. Will another law help prevent the sale of illegal guns?”
Dicky continued: We should be targeting the real problem with a real solution. ...People who have bad intentions are using guns for nefarious purposes... What will make them willing to follow another law?”
Dicky believes as I do that the more people who have gone legally through the background check to buy a firearm, also going through state required training on concealed carry and gun laws, and training to properly shoot and handle their firearm, the fewer violent crimes there will be.
Dicky added, “Look at the secret service protecting our president and his family. They are there for a reason, for protection. Why should we allow our school, government buildings and everyday places to be unprotected gun free zones? Will criminals read the sign and walk away? No, if someone has had intentions, they will act upon them regardless. The Colorado shooter bypassed two cinemas allowing concealed carry, and he traveled farther to a cinema that was gun-free.”
Another concern of mine is citizens who have been treated for depression, plus our veterans who have had post-traumatic stress disorder will be singled out and relieved of their guns. Yes, there are some who have had serious disorders and been jailed for crimes who should not carry a gun, but most of our veterans should not be singled out and punished unless they are seriously mentally ill or have committed a crime.
It appears the teenaged boys who murdered my son used an illegal weapon. Kirk only had his bare hands to protect himself from these killers. Unfortunately, my family and I continue to grieve for Kirk, but I can’t have my grief be responsible for taking away the right for responsible citizens to bear arms to protect themselves and their loved ones. No, I do not believe gun control can help.
Patricia Bonney is a Post Falls resident.