Protecting the Free Press After the Gazette Shooting
THE ISSUE: The shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md., which killed five staffers.
The brazen armed attack on Capital Gazette newsroom staff is a direct assault on our sacrosanct principles of democracy (“Killer’s ‘oath’ vs. Gazette,” July 2). Our heartfelt condolences go to the victims and their grieving families.
This is a wake-up call for America. It is imperative that news reporting should be done without any duress, fear for life or looming threats that could restrain the free flow of news.
This deadly gun rampage could have been preempted with stricter gun-control regulations. Atul Karnik Woodside
President Trump has been telling cheering crowds for months now that “the press is the enemy,” while members of Congress stand around twiddling their thumbs.
And we’re surprised by what happened at Annapolis? Bill King Elizabeth, NJ
Why was a stranger allowed to walk into the Gazette newsroom without going through some kind of security check? He was mentally ill and unstable.
Thoughts and prayers are lovely, but we need to be protected. We need stricter gun laws now. Do something right, President Trump. Alfred Bonnabel Manhattan
The president told us in eloquent words after the latest gun massacre — this time at a newspaper — that the attack “shocked the conscience of our nation and filled our hearts with grief,” and that “journalists, like all Americans, should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their job.”
Previously, Trump has referred to members of the media as “absolute scum,” “very dishonest,” “disgusting” and “the enemies of the people.”
Does he recognize that a president’s words have consequences? When he uses the bully pulpit to savage those who are doing honorable work that helps to keep us free, he may be emboldening a sick mind.
As usual, this president talks out of both sides of his mouth. Oren Spiegler Strabane Township, Pa.
In journeying through Jarrod Ramos’ mind, Maureen Callahan concludes that the mass killer is a misogynist (“Another failed, frustrated man,” June 30).
But three of his five victims were male. A better label to attach to this person is “horrid human being.”
It lacks the current cachet of “misogynist,” but is more accurate. Joseph Koenig Manhattan
The shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper office, which killed five people and injured more is yet another reason why Congress needs to pass much stricter gun-control laws.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the dead and wounded, as well as with the first responders who arrived as the shooting unfolded.
Those politicians in Congress, who are so beholden to the NRA, should really think twice.
We need our legislators to work with each other in a bipartisan effort to stem the tide of these shootings and restrict who can purchase a weapon. What are our politicians waiting for? The time for action is now. John Amato Fresh Meadows
The attack at Charlie Hebdo in 2015 should have been an indication that any news publication is vulnerable and could be a target for a shooting.
Of course there will always be disgruntled readers. However, some are mentally unstable and gun owners as well — a deadly combination.
Let us hope that the tragedy at the Capital Gazette serves as a wake-up call.
We need to do whatever it takes to beef up security so that our free press is protected. JoAnn Lee Frank Clearwater, Fla.
Alleged mass-murderer Jarrod Ramos has been placed on a suicide watch in his jail cell.
He certainly deserves death, unlike his innocent and unwilling victims.
Preventing decent, mentally ill people from committing suicide is a good and honorable thing to do, but to worry about actual killers’ lives is insane. Richard Siegelman Plainview