To the editor,
The senseless, horrific acts of violence against school-age children cannot pass without requiem. The United States government must act without hesitation to ban the sale and use of assault weapons. These weapons are designed to take human lives, with 30-round clips of ammunition firing in rapid succession. After what has been witnessed can any American defend the legality of these weapons with a clear conscience? Are the children this society vows to protect stepping off the school bus and listening for gunfire? Do any more innocent lives have to be lost to maintain the right to bear arms? Does America have to stand out as a nation that endures the sacrifice of its sons and daughters by its own hand?
Schools provide education and the first baby steps integrating children into society. Does this atmosphere have to be contaminated with the fear of being shot to death? Isn't every school-age child carrying that thought, conscious or unconscious, somewhere in his or her psyche? Can the most advanced society in the world protect its own children?
Can any true-blooded American, be it the president of the United States or the leader of the National Rifle Association, stand up to a nation brought to its knees and defend the sale of high-powered assault rifles?
If children cannot be stopped from playing with guns, take the guns away. If gun advocates don't want to give up their right to bear high-powered assault weapons in the hope that it might help protect the children from living in terror then the fabric of what America was built on, freedom, is diminished. Terror attacks are perpetuated by the accessibility and training in high-combat assault weapons. Wal-Mart in the U.S. has 1,700 outlets selling this type of weapon. Toys for tots aisle 10, high-powered rifles aisle 11.
The objective is to limit access to assault weapons and prevent another disaster. The responsibility lies with every person who shed tears over the recent loss of so many innocent children and the young survivors who witnessed extreme violence at such a young age.
Jon W. Fisher
Moose River
If you don't think stricter gun laws will keep crazy people from hurting others, how are metal detectors going to help?