WASHINGTON, May 27 (UPI) -- Conservative activist Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, wrote an open letter to the parents of the victims of the Isla Vista shooting saying that their children's deaths do not trump his constitutional right to bear arms.
After Elliot Rodger killed six people and injured others on Friday, Richard Martinez, who lost his son Christopher, lashed out in a passionate statement directed at politicians and the NRA for preventing gun control legislation.
"Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven irresponsible politicians and the NRA," Martinez said. "They talk about gun rights. What about Chris's right to live? When will this insanity stop? When will enough people say 'Stop this madness, we don't have to live like this?' Too many have died. We should say to ourselves, not one more."
This has given new spark to the gun control debate only four days after the shooting. Wurzelbacher decided to also join the debate Thursday in an open letter to the victims parents published in Barbwire.
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"I am sorry you lost your child. I myself have a son and daughter and the one thing I never want to go through, is what you are going through now. But: As harsh as this sounds -- your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights."
He went on to say that even though the shooting was a tragedy, he believes the protection of his second amendment rights is more important.
"We still have the Right to Bear Arms and I intend to continue to speak out for that right, and against those who would restrict it -- even in the face of this horrible incident by this sad and insane individual."
He also said that Rodger is most likely an Obama voter and liberals do not care about their families.
"They don't care about your family or your dead children at all. They sound like they do, whereas I sound uncaring and like I say, harsh. Don't be fooled -- I care about your family and mine. The future of our very liberty lies in the balance of this fight."
