Sussex Chapter of Brady Campaign says felt heard, yet saw no action from Sparta Town Council

To the Editor:
Last December, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 passed the House of Representatives. This bill allows anyone who can legally conceal carry a hidden loaded weapon in their state to come to New Jersey and conceal carry here.
If this bill passes, people from states with little or no gun regulations would be able to come to NJ with their guns. We should all be alarmed that people from other states will be able to carry hidden loaded guns around our loved ones in our churches, grocery stores, restaurants, theaters and parks where our children play.
On April 24th, members of the Sussex County Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence stood before the Sparta Town Council asking them to sign a Resolution of Opposition to the Federal Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Mayor Hertzberg and the Council Members listened to our statements but did nothing. To this date, they have not even extended us the courtesy of a response.
Sparta residents should know that if this bill becomes a federal law, it will be a serious public safety issue for all New Jersey residents, as well as law enforcement. I am saddened and disappointed that Mayor Hertzberg and the members of the council do not take the issue of gun violence more seriously. Also, not responding to their constituents shows a lack of professionalism and respect.
On October 9th, Mayor Hertzberg and the town council held a hearing to consider an ordinance to ban marijuana, including medicinal marijuana, citing it would be detrimental to the public health and safety. Gun violence kills 36,000 people in America every year. Mass shootings in schools and workplaces, toddlers shooting toddlers, and the huge number of guns in our society is a serious public safety issue. Ask the residents of Sandy Hook CT or Parkland FL if they ever thought gun violence would affect their towns. Marijuana and the use of marijuana is nowhere near the threat to the public’s health and safety that guns are.
Mayor Hertzberg is running for Sussex County Freeholder in November. I will not be voting for him and I hope you don’t either.
Sue Hannon
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Sparta, NJ