Dear Editor,
The revised indoor gun club law isn’t governing, it’s dictating.
Since when is it government’s responsibility to dictate to a private business how many employees must be hired? More importantly, where do we draw the line? Should we regulate other businesses – when we convince ourselves a perceived danger to society exists – with 11-page laws?
The concerns against the location of the proposed gun club are nothing short of unsubstantiated fear mongering. I’ve listened over and over to people that continue to use the safety of our children as the basis for denying this establishment, yet these same people have not provided any specific examples as to how exactly they’d be harmed.
If it’s about the safety of our children, then shouldn’t we consider banning the four convenient stores located along the same area? They promote and sell cigarettes, alcohol and gambling – the same argument applies – exposing our children to those vices also puts them in harm’s way.
To members of the school board, I say, sit this one out. You’ve done a great job keeping our children safe inside the school and the police department has done a great job keeping them safe outside. Instead, focus on taking aim to ensure our tax dollars are properly discharged.
To the artists’ community, how would you feel if our local government regulated your industry with an 11-page law? How can we be sure you’re not using lead-based paint or other chemicals that could be emitting hazardous pollutants into the air?
We can always find the reasons to justify the things we want and don’t want, but we should govern and not dictate.
This business should be issued a special use permit and regulated accordingly regardless of the location.
Matt Colangelo
Kingston, N.Y.
Recent letters by Matt Colangelo
“LETTER: Sales tax battle between Ulster County and Kingston is difficult to justify,” May 26, 2016
“LETTER: Ulster County IDA should ‘claw back’ tax breaks,” April 26, 2016
