LETTER: Time has come for gun controls

To the Editor:

As I sat and watched the news about the tragedy in Connecticut, I thought about how awful this must be for the parents and grandparents of these innocent children and the families of the teachers who were lost.

As a grandfather of seven, ages 3 to 16, the mere thought of something like this happening here in New Richmond scares me to my soul.

“Oh that couldn’t happen here.” I’m sure that’s what the people in Connecticut thought. What makes us any different? People are getting gunned down all around the country.

I know that some people are saying that during a tragedy like this just isn’t a good time for the discussion about strengthening our gun laws. If not now, when? How many more kids do we have to lose before it is a “good time.”

I’ve already heard of some people saying that if teachers were allowed to carry firearms… Yeah that would solve the problem, wouldn’t it?

I’m sure the National Rifle Association is going to come out and remind us that, though this is such a sad thing to have happen, it’s not guns that kill people, it’s people that do that. I’m sure that will make the parents feel much better. That argument doesn’t hold much water anymore.

Every year nearly 9,000 deaths can be attributed to gun violence in the U.S., and yet we let the number of guns grow. When is enough, enough? And when will be the right time to do something besides shake our heads, mourn the losses and then keep letting it happen again and again.

You hunters out there, I know most of you are responsible, but please keep your weapons under lock and key.

George Richard

New Richmond

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion