Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Gun Violence, Rights & Legislation: What can or should be done to curb/end the United States’ epidemic of mass shootings?
From our readers:
Your premise that there is an "epidemic" of gun violence with AR15 style rifles is completely false. It demonstrates that, like much of the media, you're long on emotion and short on facts.
Only a tiny percentage of gun deaths are committed by rifles. If there were any journalism left in society, or even just plain "adult" coverage of events, we might have a chance of actually dealing with the issues that confront us.
Maybe your question should be "Why does the media hyperventilate over a rare murder with a rifle, but remain completely silent about the 20 or so people that are shot every week in places like Chicago.
Answer: The media isn't about news; it's about pushing a political agenda under the guise of news, or what's more commonly called propaganda.
Bob McWilliams, West River
First, I think the way you posed this question is excellent. You did not seem to take sides and that is what good journalism should do. I certainly don't have the answers but there is a lot at stake. I am a legal gun owner and teach the Maryland HQL class. I see every day how confusing it is for people to understand the laws within the state and especially across the country. Gun ownership is a huge responsibility. Government should be making it easier to comply and understand but it gets more confusing with every session. Another big issue is that legal, responsible ownership is so expensive, it is impossible for a low-income family to protect themselves legally. A young single mom living on minimum wage has no choice but to purchase an illegal firearm to protect her family. The mental illnesses in this country is out of control. Add the lack of responsibility that individuals take today. Everyone is a victim. If I shoot someone who is trying to rape me, I can be sued - crazy. I think our representative should put anti-gun and pro-self defense ordinary people together in a room and openly discuss solutions. Stop adding laws that don't stop the violence. Think about it - the cities with the highest murder rates, have the toughest laws. Bring back common sense.
Jeanne Rieken, Edgewater
There's no feasible reason for any individual citizen to have assault-style weapons...they should be banned entirely. All other firearms should require a stringent background check and a limit on ammunition capacity.
Frank Carollo, St. Michaels
Assault rifles are akin to machine guns & should be banned. I'd suggest a buyback program to similar too Australia's. Of course, it's not a cure-all for gun violence or mass shootings, but it would, along with universal backgrounds checks, impede them some.
Milo Mason, Riviera Beach
Guns don't kill people. Mentally ill people kill people.
Susan Engel, Edgewater
The violent attacks and murders in America have to stop. To gun rights advocates, background checks and limits on high-powered assault rifles violate the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment, if read literally, says, “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.”
Militia? From the Latin, literally ‘military service.’ To me, it’s the National Guard. Well-regulated? Hardly. Anything goes on our streets, in our places of worship, stores, homes, and so much more. The New Oxford American Dictionary also states it as a ‘military force that engages in rebel or terrorist activities in opposition to a regular army.’ The January 6th assault on our Nation’s Capital is an example. And the amendment doesn’t guarantee protection to gun owners with multiple assault rifles, hand guns, 10,000 rounds of ammunition to boldly tell the 2nd Amendment to us.
Please don’t make people susceptible to a law misinterpreted, so killing people anywhere by a gun, with such easy access to weapons and carry out evil intent.
Michael Alexander, Annapolis
The only way to stop gun violence is if more good guys have guns than bad guys. The bad guys will always find a way to inflict violence and can use pistols, autos, knives, etc. The police cannot be everywhere. The bad guys target the gun free zones. We need to protect ourselves and responsible gun ownership is the answer to this problem!
Julia Jones, Edgewater
Ban all high-capacity ammunition magazines, hollow point bullets. Reduce the amount any one person or organization can donate to a political candidate per election cycle.
Milly Welsh, Davidsonville
We do need some reform. responsible gun owners will pass the test. Background check, safety class, maybe references, maybe insurance, review committee. Also there is not a need for an average citizen to own a military style gun....ever.
The recent Colorado shooter passed a background check, however his family commented that he was not stable. Also, maybe a time range would have helped. If checks and balances were in place, he could not have made a purchase and walked out the door. A few days of wait may have shown some red flags to himself and family and the seller of the gun.
Deborah Shiley, Edgewater
