Dems should rethink their support for gun control

I am neither for nor against gun control. But the effort to impose gun control has had a disastrous effect upon America: It has driven millions of otherwise sane Americans to vote for Republican candidates, resulting in the Republican control of the presidency, Congress, and state and local political offices. That is too high a price to pay.

It’s not as if gun control were guaranteed to have beneficial results. There are many countries with gun control laws that seem to work. But what works in other countries will not necessarily work in America. We’ve seen that over and over. So it is too big a gamble to risk the future of our nation and, ultimately, the planet for something that might or might not work.

We have to take our country back from the Republicans. If that means that the Democrats have to renounce gun control, so be it. And we have to take an even more drastic step; because a high percentage of the casualties from guns are innocent bystanders, we need to initiate courses in marksmanship and gun safety in public schools.

I know the idea is nauseating — I even gagged on it myself. Let’s just consider it as bitter medicine. PAUL ALTER Wilkinsburg things, and the rich He has sent away empty” (Luke 1:51-53). KEITH G. KONDRICH Swisshelm Park

This is in response to Harvey Bower’s letter “The Radical Left” (June 29). I challenge folks with Mr. Bower’s viewpoints to explain to me how restructuring the economy to allow it to work for all Americans — and not just the wealthy few who have hijacked the system — does not embody the principles upon which this country was founded.

I’d like to know why they are so averse to the idea of updating an antiquated system of laws, which clearly favors the majority, to be more inclusive of all races, creeds and preferences. Perhaps most of all, I would love to hear from Mr. Bower regarding why his opinion of “morality” should be impressed upon others.

It seems to me the left isn’t the only side with a “propaganda arm.” MARK SILVESTER

Bloomfield

I read another article saying people don’t want governmentrun health care. I wonder how many people on governmentrun Medicare would like to drop their Medicare coverage and buy insurance in the open market.

My mother-in-law is 94 years old, and I am pretty sure she would have trouble finding insurance in the marketplace. I have private insurance, and I would gladly trade it in for Medicare coverage. PHIL TURLIK

Monongahela

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Braddock families in need (“Swap, Don’t Shop Event to Help Families Who Can’t Afford Backpacks for School,” June 21). I also want to recognize the work of state Rep. Ed Gainey, who for the last three years has held a cookout in Lincoln-Lemington to give away hundreds of backpacks to local children. The event is an enormous success and will be held again this year on Aug. 19.

Mr. Gainey and I are now expanding the “bookbag drive” to the community of East Hills, where I attended the vibrant but now-closed East Hills Elementary, a pioneer in integrating the Pittsburgh Public Schools and a shining example of diversity. I encourage all alumni of East Hills, and all concerned citizens, to help make Pittsburgh a city where every student returns to school with the materials he or she needs to learn and to succeed at the highest level.

For more information on how to help, please contact me at ERediker@reedsmith.com. ZEKE REDIKER

Squirrel Hill