LETTER: Wilhelm supports far-left gun control

By Charles Thomson  |   Charles City

On the night of Sept. 25, 2012, “John Smith” (a real person, but not his real name) went to sleep for the last time in his bed in his home down the road in Clarksville, Iowa. Sometime during the night, while Mr. Smith slept, a burglar fired a .410 shotgun into Mr. Smith’s right temple, ending Mr. Smith’s life of 70 years.

The next year, the authorities arrested a man they believe committed the burglary. Notwithstanding considerable circumstantial evidence linking the defendant to the crime, the defendant has not admitted guilt and the case is now in the courts.  In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court recently reversed one of the lower court rulings, and it appears the litigation will continue on for months, maybe years.

What if Mr. Smith had awakened shortly before his murder, and had shot the home invader?

Sadly, in Iowa, because Iowa does not have “Stand Your Ground” protections for its citizens, it might be Mr. Smith who would be facing years of litigation instead of the burglar. Without “Stand Your Ground,” the only thing that would be standing between poor Mr. Smith and the criminal courts would be (a) Mr. Smith’s ability to prove facts involving the home invasion, and (b) whether Mr. Smith has a sympathetic local prosecutor.

Should Iowa’s laws be changed to allow citizens to protect themselves rather than cowering in fear when someone invades their home?  Absolutely.  Will Iowa reform its laws?

Not as long as Mary Jo Wilhelm is in the Iowa Senate.

For years, Ms. Wilhelm has been a key vote in supporting far-left gun control agenda, and, in particular, keeping Iowa from enacting something as simple and common sense as “Stand Your Ground.”  In fact, as a member of Gronstal’s whip team, she’s in charge of making sure her colleagues in the Iowa Senate never let “Stand Your Ground” bills passed by the Iowa House see the light of day.

I am hardly a “gun nut,” but I do support common sense reform to protect Iowans in their homes. That’s why I am voting for, and heartily endorse, Waylon Brown from St. Ansgar for the Iowa Senate.  Waylon is a salt-of-the-earth farmer and small businessman, with a solid moral compass and the drive to get smart legislation through the General Assembly.  In addition to being a solid advocate for the Second Amendment, Waylon has the intellectual chops to reduce stupid spending and to make sure the needs of Iowa’s disadvantaged citizens are fully funded.  We need a change in the Iowa Senate; we need Waylon.

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