Minneapolis shooting makes case for bill before Legislature

Re “Two dead, 17 wounded in Minn. shooting” (Aug. 28): The horrific shooting in Minneapolis that killed two children and wounded many more is a dreadful reminder that popular pistols and other firearms can easily be converted into do-it-yourself machine guns. Glock pistols, for example, can be transformed into automatic weapons with the addition of a so-called Glock switch, which can be purchased online and installed in minutes with a screwdriver. This conversion allows it to fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute.

Unfortunately, companies that make these convertible pistols have looked the other way — until now. Gun safety advocates, like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, are calling on California state legislators to enact Assembly Bill 1127, which would prohibit the sale of pistols that can be converted into machine guns.

It’s time gun manufacturers redesign their weapons and put children’s lives before profits.

— Nancy Hardwick, Encinitas