Special online feature: Sun readers comment on how to stop mass shootings
Editor's note: Following recent mass shootings, The Sun has received more letters to the editor on gun violence than it is able to publish. This special online feature presents a selection of these letters.
Strengthen gun laws
Believing that weapons possession is more important than community health and safety, some still reject stringent weapons safety legislation. Current ineffective weapons policies result in amazingly high murder rates, suicides and frequent mass murders.
After mass shootings, many use an amateur and banal analysis of the psychology of killers to provide camouflage for the profiteering military/gun industrial complex. Declare that it is a mental health/behavioral health problem, all in the killer's mind, and perhaps we won't notice that our pathetic policy results in high murder rates, suicides and frequent mass murders. When deranged people have such remarkably easy access to arsenals of weapons, every so often one of them will go ballistic.
We can't eliminate all extremism or mental illness, but we can most certainly prevent people from having access to semi-automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammo. The United Kingdom has one sixth our murder rate, not because they are psychologically healthier or nicer than the USA. The U.K. and many other countries just don't have or allow the weaponry to be available do as much damage.
Thoughts and prayers are of little value unless we accept the fact that our laws reducing access to weapons need to be greatly strengthened, not loosened.
F. Douglas Stephenson, Gainesville
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Steps to reduce shootings
Here is a logical approach to reducing mass shootings. It is only a first step which would have to be followed by others when politics permits.
First, acknowledge that the prime function of the state is to protect all citizens. New public policies are needed because present ones are not working.
Second, acknowledge that, by definition, guns are part of the mass shooting problem. The Second Amendment is the legal authority for private gun ownership. The amendment is one sentence long with the first half reading “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state," while the second half refers to 'the right of the people to bear and keep arms." The two ideas are inseparable and it is clear that the constitutional right to bear arms is justified by the needs of a well-regulated militia.
Third, acknowledge that “well regulated” implies at a minimum knowledge of the militia's potential assets in time of emergency. This in turn means a periodically updated register of all gun owners and their guns. All should be qualified to be registered except those not fit to serve in the militia: children, the mentally troubled, criminals and those threatening violence against the state
John Huddleston, Gainesville
Marketing strategy
“Arm yourself against the government!” is the driver behind assault-style rifle sales in America, though you won’t see this advertised in gun magazines. Instead, Remington, Colt, American Outdoor Brands and others offer up a different message: “Get your alpha-male card validated here.”
Their marketing strategy is brilliant. If you push AR-15s into the hands of enough disaffected young men, a few are bound to be crazy, stupid or hate-filled enough to take those weapons into a school or a church or a supermarket.
The result is always the same: outrage, followed by demand for politicians to do something, followed by gun rights advocates screaming about government overreach —then a leap in gun sales. Firearms makers, dealers, lobbyists and politicians get rich while America gets bloody. No one is responsible.
Perhaps adding the single word “responsibly” to the Second Amendment is a necessity our forefathers just never imagined.
David Young, Gainesville
Listen to the people
My heart weeps for all the Black people who prayed in their church, for all the Jewish people who prayed in their synagogue, for all the children in school who were learning about democracy. All were gunned down by someone with an assault weapon.
The survivors — what did they learn? Were their prayers answered? Did they rejoice and feel safe for living in America? Or did they despair that there is no safe haven anywhere in this country?
What will you do about it? Cry from the rooftops. Demand that your elected officials do your bidding. Remind them that you are their boss. Insist that they listen to the people. Over 90% of the people in this country demand some form of gun control.
Provide us with a safe haven in our houses of worship, our schools, and in our homes.
Nancy Parkinson, Gainesville
Vote them out
As the governor of Texas scrambles to explain the mass shootings, we wait for meaningful gun legislation. His answer to the media is always the same, mental health. What does that say about our politicians who refuse to act?
If you believe the Republicans and the National Rifle Association, more guns make us safer. If that was true, we could all rest comfortably. Responsible gun ownership is practiced by most and abused by many. A well-regulated militia is the battle cry for those who benefit from the status quo. Who is accountable for our failure to protect our children or any citizen?
Our moral obligation is much greater than our need to protect an amendment that is often debated and used as a tool to sell more guns. Vote out the politicians that are supported by the NRA. What happened to common sense?
Martin Werts, Archer
Reasonable measures
We can’t continue ignoring the all-too-common massacres in our communities. We, the people, need to contact our representatives to address gun acquisition. Conservative leaders should be sent a message about basic things that most people can support.
Everyone feels overwhelmed, heartbroken, despondent and maybe angry. Best to take action. Perhaps we can agree on basic steps such as increasing the age to purchase a gun, increasing the waiting period to several weeks and performing background checks. These are reasonable gun safety measures we could enact but we must convince our state reps. Together we can participate as interested citizens in a democratic society.
Join me in contacting our representatives. How should you start? Go to myfloridahouse.gov/findyourrepresentative. Let them know that you expect them to work on legislation to address gun safety. Numbers matter and your voice will be heard.
Remember that Individuals can make a difference but not enough of us are participating in the process. Engaged and energized citizens can have an impact. Actions speak much louder than thoughts and prayers.
Carolyn Hanson, Gainesville
Open carry
While watching videos of the National Rifle Association convention, I did not see anyone carrying an AR-15 as they walked from booth to booth. Was “open carry” not allowed?
I’m fairly certain that you cannot sit in the spectator gallery at the U.S. Supreme Court with an assault rifle in your lap. Nor could you at the U.S. Capital building. I’m sure you’re not allowed to carry any guns during a White House tour (regardless of who is president).
It’s doubtful that you could walk into the restaurant where Ted Cruz is eating with an AR-15 slung over your shoulder — much less sit outside his house with one sitting in the passenger seat. Why is it that the people who advocate “open carry” and relaxed gun laws are fine with it as long as it’s not allowed around them?
Jeff Johnson, Gainesville
Hear the children’s cries
Bursting with bright, happy futures, 19 children in Texas faced the last moments of their lives terrified by the deafening blasts of a military-style assault rifle.
It was the 18-year-old troubled youth who pulled the trigger, but the weapon of war rifle was the accomplice to this massacre. Staunch gun lobbyists and anti-gun law gun owners are quick to shout the Seondond Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in their defense. The Constitution does not give gun owners carte blanche for a gun free-for-all.
Amendment II states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The focus is “militia” (the national military). Think of the historical context in which this was written. It approved arms for a militia (but, of course, also for hunting food).
The effort for gun control is not to ban all firearms completely. The demand is for common-sense laws, such as red flag laws, background checks, licenses and tough regulation of assault rifles. Is this compromise too much to ask the Republican lawmakers for, especially since 70% of Americans are pleading for some gun control measures? Or are the Republicans strangled by the grip of the NRA and its pocketbook filled with future campaign contributions?
Hear the children’s cries for their lives!
Joyce Coughlin, Gainesville
Wrong priority
After every tragedy occurring due to gun violence, the Republicans get together to make sure that the right to own a gun doesn't get eroded. Not only are they able to keep gun rights intact, but they often succeed in getting the existing gun control measures watered down.
In the meantime, the gun businessmen are able to increase the sales of guns by scaring people into believing that gun control measures are imminent. Some Republicans join with some Democrat members of Congress to work out some sensible gun-control measures. Here is the catch, what makes sense to "A" is nonsense to "B," so nothing ever comes out. Consequently, the NRA remains happy and innocent people and school children continue to die.
The NRA says that no member of NRA is ever involved in mass gun shooting — wonderful. They are all responsible citizens and so are the others. But this is a cruel fact that there are and there always will be some irresponsible citizens. Every society enacts laws to safeguard itself from its irresponsible members. Therefore, we have to have laws to safeguard our children and other innocent members against gun violence.
Innocent children are dying and will continue to die because of the Second Amendment, and not children's safety, is the priority of the Americans. The idea that the school children's safety can be ensured by arming teachers is another ploy of the NRA to increase the sale of the guns.
Nand Sharma, Gainesville
Stop the insanity
Would you Second Amendment zealots please explain the value of permitting any non-military/non-law enforcement civilian, of any age, the unrestricted right to buy AR-15s? Are assault weapons of war actually needed for fishing or hunting? Can't a handgun protect you at home? Should we insist that all school teachers, shop clerks, movie theatre ushers and bar keepers be armed?
Per the NRA and Trump, “the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun.” Really? Did that work in Buffalo? Wasn’t the good guy a former cop, working a security detail? He shot at the assailant, but couldn’t penetrate the combat body armor, nor match the firepower. Would an elementary school teacher with a handgun, in Uvalde, Texas, really have been able to neutralize that shooter, with his assault weapon and body armor?
Why do personal rights of paranoid individuals with too much testosterone get elevated above our right to expect safety in public? Stop the insanity.
Ted Quinn, Alachua
Faulty reasoning
Each time there is a mass shooting we dwell on the fact that the shooter has characteristics typical of those of the past. From there we conclude that those in authority should have recognized those characteristics and prevented the tragedy.
The problem with that reasoning is that thousands share those same characteristics who never hurt anyone. Who will and who won’t is not discernable in advance by anyone, including mental health professionals.
All crimes require motive, means and opportunity. One’s motives and opportunities are not controlled in a free society. Only control of the means remains if we are serious about stopping the slaughter.
Tom Morris, Gainesville
Freedom comes with responsibility
The horrific tragedy in Texas at the elementary school cannot go unanswered. Supporters of gun-carry legislation without a permit have lost their compass for the value of life, and one that balances rights with responsibilities.
How many more mass shootings will the Republicans allow to go unanswered? Republicans consistently say that it’s not time to discuss the issue of gun legislation, or they say the solution is to provide mental health services. Mental health services are important in any situation. Why not stop the sale of weapons that would destroy the carcass of a deer?
Republicans espouse the value of life with anti-abortion laws. Where is the disconnect between valuing life at conception, but not valuing life by enacting sensible gun laws to address the killing using weapons of war?
Just to be clear — the solution does not include taking away all guns. Our society is built on the principle of freedom. However, freedom comes with responsibility.
We cannot become complacent to these tragic events. Please stop supporting legislators who do not support sensible gun legislation, including voting for permitless carry gun laws.
Elaine Golman, Gainesville
Ban assault weapons
Another massacre, this one in Uvalde, Texas. So many prayers, sympathy and help are sent to the families who lost children. But there is an attendant horror. The children’s bodies were so obliterated by the AR-15 rifles that DNA samples had to be collected in order to identify them.
Something should have been done after Newtown, but our Congress did virtually nothing and not much will be done this time.
Why are assault rifles, which are for war, being sold to civilians? It is insane. Former President Bill Clinton banned assault weapons and in 1994 mass shooting deaths dropped by 45%. The Republican Congress let the ban expire in 2004 and the deaths shot up by 239%.
A new study of global firearm ownership in the U.S. shows that there are 393 million guns while our population is 326 million people. The Second Amendment states, “a well regulated Militia…”. Does this mean that every citizen is part of this militia now? This is something our Founding Fathers did not count on, and I believe they would be appalled by the proliferation of firearms.
America has become the massacre country of the world.
Joyce Dewsbury, Gainesville
Point of no return
I think we Americans have reached a point of no return with firearms. No matter what we legislate, it will not stop mass shootings in our schools, malls, graduation ceremonies and anywhere else people get together. Even if we were able to completely stop the manufacture of guns, there still remains millions of weapons and ammo available to people inclined to shoot someone.
Let us at least identify those responsible for the trauma and grief heaped upon thousands and thousands of family members, survivors, doctors, nurses, law enforcement personnel and countless others. My short list would include the National Rifle Association and the entire Republican Party.
Clayton Smith, Gainesville
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Sun readers comment on how to stop mass shootings
