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Pragmatic and Common-Sense

I am voting for Norm Needleman (D) for the State Senate 33rd District because of his pragmatic and common-sense approach to public service, exemplified by Needleman’s position for sensible gun control.

After the Newtown school massacre of 20 1st graders and six educators, the NRA “robocalled” Newtown residents urging them to oppose gun safety legislation and to contact State Senator Linares, Jr. (R-33) to mobilize opposition.

The press sought out Linares for an explanation of his role, but he was unavailable for comment. A month later, the legislature overwhelmingly passed “An Act Concerning Gun Violence and Children’s Safety,” drafted by a bipartisan panel and supported by the leadership of both parties.

Linares voted “No.”

In May, despite vehement opposition from the NRA, sensible legislation to stem gun violence, “An Act Concerning Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence” was enacted. Again Linares voted “No”, even though there was strong bipartisan support ensuring its passage. More than 20 states have similar statutes.

Linares’s NRA’s high rating is apparently due to his Newtown and domestic violence “No” votes and his confidential answers to their questionnaires.

In my view, most gun owners are responsible and practice careful use of their firearms. The job of our state senator is to listen to all concerns and recommendations on gun safety and go beyond the extreme positions of the NRA hierarchy, and begin to address the provisions of the General Assembly’s Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention adopted in April 2013.

Norm Needleman is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and not the extreme positions embraced by the NRA and Linares.

I encourage your readers to vote for Norm Needleman, whose proven leadership and proven results, in both the public and private sectors, are driven by his sensible, compassionate, and balanced approach to getting things done.

Ed Meehan

Chester