MARSY: Fear is unfounded

The Idaho Senate recently passed Marsy’s Law for Idaho, and I want to thank each of the 25 senators who voted “yes” for their courage and support of crime victims in our state. A special thanks goes out to Sens. Souza and Cheatham for having the courage to stand firm for victims at a time they were being blasted by misguided messaging that Marsy’s Law posed a threat to gun rights. I’m an ardent supporter of the right to bear arms, but there simply isn’t a shred of truth to the claim Marsy’s Law would infringe on the Second Amendment. Gun rights and victims’ rights are not mutually exclusive.

I’m frustrated with the fear, pressure and misinformation being heaped on legislators who believe it’s time to update and strengthen victims’ rights in our state. It’s my hope that Reps. Mendive, Wisniewski, Addis and Amador will recognize fearmongering is being applied in an effort to quash rational thinking and policymaking on behalf of crime victims.

CRAIG SMITH

Hayden Lake