My good friend and frequent contributor to not only this blog, but also to the Denton Record-Chronicle Letters to the Editor, Jack Garner, wrote the following shortly after the Texas church shooting last November. Since that time, according to the Gun Violence Archive there have been 1,894 gun deaths in the U.S. in 2018 alone. Number of mass shooting incidents reported and verified so far this year, 31. Number of teens (12-17) killed or injured, 373; and 70 children ages 0-11 killed or injured by guns.
Those statistics alone should arouse the protective instincts of all Americans - not to go out and buy more guns, but to compel our Congress to strengthen the gun laws in this country. There should be no assault rifles sold to anyone other than our military or law enforcement. Why are "bump stocks" still being sold? We must strengthen our background checks. Why are guns being sold to anyone at gun shows without such checks? So many questions with only one answer - the NRA. Our children's lives are endangered more and more. Putting "good people" armed with guns at every school is ridiculous - and reprehensible.
After the shooting in Florida that cost the lives of 17 more children and their teachers on this past Valentine's Day I thought what Jack had to say last November was appropriate now as well. President Trump even made the very same comments.
"Donald Trump's unabashedly false declaration said, 'The Texas shooting is a result of a mental health problem; not United States gun laws.'
Those statistics alone should arouse the protective instincts of all Americans - not to go out and buy more guns, but to compel our Congress to strengthen the gun laws in this country. There should be no assault rifles sold to anyone other than our military or law enforcement. Why are "bump stocks" still being sold? We must strengthen our background checks. Why are guns being sold to anyone at gun shows without such checks? So many questions with only one answer - the NRA. Our children's lives are endangered more and more. Putting "good people" armed with guns at every school is ridiculous - and reprehensible.
After the shooting in Florida that cost the lives of 17 more children and their teachers on this past Valentine's Day I thought what Jack had to say last November was appropriate now as well. President Trump even made the very same comments.
NEW GUN LAWS NEEDED
John Nance Garner, V
This proves his political relationship with the National Rifle Association and its ever-present mantra, 'Guns don't kill people; people kill people.'
Did Devin Patrick Kelly murder 26 people with a slingshot? Did Stephen Paddock kill 58 people and wound 546 others in Las Vegas with a cap pistol?
It's time to label NRA propaganda as what it is: Big bucks in the pockets of the gun industry. For over 50 years, the NRA has preached that the government wants to take away your guns. Not once has a government official knocked on my door and with outstretched hand declared, 'Gimme.'
How about you?
New laws should outlaw assault rifles like those that mowed down unsuspecting citizens in Sutherland Springs and Las Vegas. A new law should do away with clips holding 30 or more rounds of ammunition.
It would prohibit clips of more than 10 rounds for home defense. If you can't take down a home intruder with 10 shots, best you throw the gun at him and try to bite him to death.
Limited gun laws will not prevent deranged individuals from committing senseless killings; that is demonstrated by the death of eight people in New York City last week. (a 29-year-old man struck pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path around 3 p.m. and continued driving a rented pickup truck, colliding with a school bus.) But it will stop more Sutherland Springs and Las Vegas carnage. You can make it happen."
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"It takes a village to raise a child", but it only takes one person with a gun to kill him. And it takes a united country to stop the killing.
Peace and love,
Marilyn
