Rep. Cappelli makes “[a] shift on gun control”
Back on July 9th, I posted an ABC news clip in which State Rep. Steven W. Cappelli used the curious phrase “cultural genocide” to describe the gun violence in Philadelphia. It turns out the phrase resonated well beyond this blog, with some significant consequences for Representative Cappelli and gun-control issues in Philadelphia. From today’s Heard in the Hall:
A shift on gun control
Democratic State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas didn’t like it much when a fellow lawmaker from Central Pennsylvania shrugged off gun-control efforts in Philadelphia as an ineffective tool against black-on-black crime. “They are experiencing cultural genocide, to be blunt,” Rep. Steven W. Cappelli, a white Republican from Williamsport, said in an ABC news segment on gun violence last month. Any law restricting guns “will not impact the very element that’s terrorizing that city,” Cappelli said
The “cultural genocide” reference stung Thomas and some other black leaders. They saw in it a racist indifference to the city’s agonizing homicide problems, an attitude they say has blocked just about every gun-control measure ever proposed by Philadelphia lawmakers.
Cappelli “said what others feel but just don’t have the will to come out and say,” Thomas said.
After a face-to-face meeting with Cappelli last month, Thomas said the lawmaker had agreed to become a spokesman for some of the Legislative Black Caucus’ gun-control bills, 33 of which are stalled in committee.
Specifically, Cappelli agreed to support House Bill 1746, which would allow the city to enact its own gun laws in consultation with the U.S. and state attorneys general, Thomas said.
The new spokesman did not return calls seeking comment.
– Jeff Shields
eR0CK said,
August 7, 2007 @ 11:08 am
I think city and state officials are stuck on stupid. Gun control isn’t going to help, in my opinion. Legal gun owners aren’t killing each other it’s the sale illegal sale of guns which is the problem and no law is going to change this fact (aside from outlawing all guns) … it’s only going to hurt legal gun owners like myself.
I’m personally not offended by Cappelli’s comments, he’s calling it like it is … it’s (primarily) black-on-black crime, his use of the word “cultural genocide” was just his attempt to be politically correct, IMHO.
I think the Mayor and Governor should do more for our city. It’s not a gun problem, it’s not a cultural problem, it’s a Philadelphia problem. Our leaders failure to act is one of the primary causes of the increase in murders, in my opinion.
I hope Nutter isn’t the lame duck that Street has been.
andrew said,
August 7, 2007 @ 11:36 am
From what I understand, one of the primary concerns is “straw purchasers.” A “straw purchase” occurs when someone who is legally allowed to buy a gun does so and then transfers it to someone who is NOT legally allowed to do so. It basically transforms a legal gun into and illegal gun. The proposed regulations would limit the number of guns that could be purchased by legal buyers to, I think, one or two a month. Would you oppose limiting handgun purchases to one per month? I don’t really know much about buying guns, but do people often buy more than one at a time or in a short period of time?
eR0CK said,
August 7, 2007 @ 11:57 am
I absolutely wouldn’t oppose such a limit because I can’t see any “good” reason for the need to purchase more then 1-2 guns a month, but this limit would only imposed in the city and not in the burbs, right?
Gun enthusiasts may buy several guns at once, but even my Uncle, whom owns 20+ guns … obtained these guns over his lifetime, not in one large purchase.
This legislation, if passed, would “hopefully” reduce the number of “straw purchased” guns on the city streets, but I think you agree this is only one small step in the right direction … there are plenty illegal guns already out there today.
A few things that could help the city:
- More police on the streets
- Stop and frisk, NOW
- Install more cameras and lighting on the streets
- Implement guidelines for police similar to what state troopers have to deal with … they have to maintain accuracy with a gun, physically fit, drug tests, fitness tests, periodic exams. Lets keep PPD on the tips of their toes, I’m not sure what regulations exists, but my walk down broad last weekend was filled with fat cops.
On an aside, the fact that I can walk from 2nd & Market to the Marriot by City Hall on a Thursday night at 2:30am and not even see one cop … that’s scary. Heck, even in Old City and the 3rd & Spring Garden area there are no cops.
I just think the police presence in our city is lacking.