Gun massacre that shames America

As a nation, the United States likes to regard itself as a bastion of civilisation. But last week’s tragic Las Vegas massacre – the latest and most horrific of many mass shootings in recent years – proves otherwise. Such events should simply not be happening in a civilised country in the 21st Century.

With a reported death toll from shootings in excess of 10,000 people a year, the US seems to me to be unworthy of membership of, let alone the leadership of, the civilised world.

The private ownership of military-grade automatic weapons is totally indefensible.

I truly hope that this latest tragedy will finally bring Washington to its senses and prompt politicians to introduce the sort of gun control measures that will put an end to these events.

In doing so, they will finally exhibit the basic standard of care and moral regard for the safety and welfare of their citizens that a responsible, democratically elected government is dutybound to provide.

Sadly, I won’t be holding my breath. Frank Skorrow, Barnsley