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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |
State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas |
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July 16, 2007
COMMENTARY
Gun violence in Pa.: Cultural genocide?
By state Rep. W. Curtis Thomas
Last week, state Rep. Steven Cappelli, R-Lycoming, was interviewed on “World News Tonight” regarding the escalating gun violence in Philadelphia. During the interview, Cappelli stated that the problem is “cultural genocide” and no matter what the General Assembly does, things will not change. I was astonished, angered and offended by the nerve of his statement.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, genocide is defined as, “the systematic, planned annihilation of a racial, political or cultural group.” Keeping that definition in mind, I want to know if the slaughter that took place at the schoolhouse in Amish country was “cultural genocide.” Is the escalating gun violence taking place in Allentown, York, Chester and other municipalities in Pennsylvania “cultural genocide?”
My constituents and I want to know exactly what Rep. Cappelli meant by “cultural genocide.” Was he speaking for himself, the National Rifle Association, the House Republican Caucus or all 203 members of the House? He certainly wasn’t speaking for me.
The fact is that the NRA and the 1995 Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act have created an environment that is threatening the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians. A young constituent recently explained to me that on any given day, he could go to Northeast Philadelphia and illegally purchase a gun with no problem. The fact that a teen can purchase an illegal handgun as easily as he can buy a bag of chips is a crime. However, the fact that gun traffickers continue to flock to Pennsylvania to sell their weapons of mass destruction with no legal repercussion is a major part of the problem.
Before passage of the 1995 Pennsylvania Firearms Act, Philadelphia and other municipalities in the Commonwealth had ordinances that set reasonable limits and clearly defined what was needed to legally own a firearm. The 1995 law pre-empted those local ordinances and ushered in the climate of violence that exists today.
Cultural genocide? Spending millions on building new prisons instead of properly funding education is cultural genocide. Supporting the NRA instead of protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth with reasonable gun control laws is cultural genocide. To keep raising the Second Amendment as an excuse while coldly turning your back on the mother whose child has been shot down in the street with an illegal handgun is cultural genocide. The right to own a rifle to hunt with has absolutely nothing to do with owning a handgun. Handguns are not used for hunting – unless you’re hunting people.
Rep. Cappelli and those who support his position must take responsibility for what is happening in Philadelphia, Amish country, Allentown, York and Chester. The Second Amendment argument is a farce and a diversionary tactic for something more sinister. Maybe my colleague is correct. The question is, will he continue to support and perpetuate the cultural genocide he spoke of by turning a blind eye to the escalating gun violence or will he do the right thing? Who is really committing cultural genocide? I suggest that Rep. Cappelli and those who agree with him look in the mirror.
That’s where the answer lies.
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State Rep. Thomas has represented the 181st Legislative District since 1989 and is majority chairman of the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
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