The terrible consequences of gunshot wounds
Note: Please keep Letters to the Editor to about 150 words.
The painful reality of gunshot wounds: Columnist (Frank) Bruni could opt for “people control” as a stand-in for gun control, although that seems to be an oxymoron if you think about it. No words, however cleverly substituted, will literally control people’s bad intentions. The raw, everlasting effects of being the victim of or witnessing a gunshot will not be experienced by the masses, which perhaps makes the attractiveness of firearms seem so remote from a real-life encounter with the deleterious results of a gun encounter. As a respiratory care professional, I can tell you gunshot wounds present clinically as painful, life-threatening and can be life-ending events. Choose whatever words you want, they will not limit damage control once the trigger is pulled. Not wanting to leave readers without a teachable moment, may I suggest early childhood education on all issues involving weapons and evolving it as the student gets older. JERRY O’RYAN,
OHIO SOCIETY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE
Insensitivity to the
loss of life: I appreciated the article by Ray Marcano which began with the words “We forget …” I felt that there was one group of persons not remembered in that article — homicide victims in our Dayton community.
From April of last year until the time of this letter, there were 53 persons, between the ages of 17 and 83, who lost their lives, primarily, through gun violence. I am aware of this as coordinator of an ecumenical group, Community Homicide Prayer Vigils, which meets at the sites of area homicides in Dayton proper, Trotwood, and Harrison and Jefferson Twps. to remember victims and their families. Homicides have become too common, which I believe has resulted in insensitivity within the community . ... We become insensitive to the loss of another life. The pain of their families and loved ones is shrugged off if considered at all . ... When family members have joined us at the vigils, we learn about the son, daughter, parent, grandchild none of us knew. We learn about the importance of each person to those who loved them, about their kindness to family and friends, about plans to make changes in their life. Let us not forget their pain. Let us learn to care for the loss of each human life. Let us remember.