Do not glorify gun culture

Sir, - Could screen violence in video games

be a factor in encouraging school shootings in the United States (February 24)?

I noted how Grand Theft Auto creator Brian Baglow dismissed President Donald Trump’s claim that it could be a factor.

It seems a bit more credible than the US leader’s view that the way to deter shootings is to arm some teachers.

I support the view that the media can shape behaviour as well as just reflect it, so if the President is serious about introducing some form of gun control then it is at least worth examining the effect of these games in homes and schools.

We shouldn’t be too optimistic. The famous words of the Second Amendment, ‘a well regulated militia being essential to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed’, still has a lot of support.

That support is as much as the concern about frequent gun atrocities throughout the north American continent.

But there are some encouraging signs that public opinion is beginning to shift. The students from the school in Florida recently attacked got publicity when they lobbied Mr Trump.

If protests and vigils were staged in almost every school throughout the US, I’m sure that the President and the National Rifle Association would see the case for reform. But the media should play its part too in not glorifying the gun culture. Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.

The effect of the loss of services is significant as not only were they on our doorstep but their loss will at the very least be a huge cost to patients and their families as they will have to travel further to access them and in some cases this will mean going to the other side of Dundee